Racing

In 1928, Junková set her sights on the most challenging race in the world at that time, the Targa Florio, with over 1300 corners per lap. Resolved to win, she became one of the first drivers to walk the 67-mile course and meticulously study every turn. She even traveled to Sicily a whole month before the 5-lap race to prepare and commit the track to memory! On race day, she held in second place for the 3rd and 4th lap; however, her car overheated and a tire punctured, causing her to come in 5th place. As her competitor René Albert Dreyfus said, “Her tenacity and determination were remarkable... She scared the wits out of other drivers as it was unthinkable for a woman to beat a man. Nobody who was in that Targa, ever forgot that formidable lady.”