At 98, Patricia Elliot has gone back to what she loves, fast cars, and this time she hit more than 130 mph on a racetrack.
Elliot, a resident at The Dower House care home in Winchester, was driven in an Aston Martin at Thruxton Race Circuit in Andover after being offered the chance to revisit her long-running passion for sports cars.
The former British Aerospace employee said: “I don’t think we even had 130 mph on the speedometer in my day.
“I’ve been around for quite a long time now, but this is one of those memories that will really stick with me, it’s not something I’ll ever forget.”
Sara Stagg, resident wellbeing coordinator at The Dower House, said: “She has always been a huge fan of sports cars, and when we asked if she’d like to experience it again, she jumped at the chance.”
The day was also attended by Elliot’s cousin, Susan, who travelled from Scotland to watch her on the track.
Susan said: “We couldn’t believe our eyes when we received the email saying Patricia was thinking about getting back into a racing car at the age of 98, it’s quite something.
“But at the same time, we weren’t surprised at all. It’s very Patricia!”
Elliot was one of only two women working at British Aerospace nearly 70 years ago, where her passion for cars first began.
She said her father gave her a Wolseley Hornet sports car for her 21st birthday, and she used it to drive colleagues to and from work.
“The journey took us along winding, hilly country roads,” she said.
“We used to build up speed going up a hill, switch off the engine, and then coast down the other side to save gas!”
Chris Golding, chief operating officer at The Dower House, attended the event and said: “We are passionate about supporting our residents to continue living life as fully and independently as possible.
“Today has been incredibly special, seeing Miss Elliott relive something she truly loves.
“I would also like to thank the team at Thruxton Race Circuit for helping make this experience possible in such a safe and enjoyable way.”
Read more from Talker News.
