<VV> Fw: Donna Mae

[John Sweet]

Here is a little more info on Donna Mae.  She was a member of the Western PA Corvair Club and when she attended our Holiday Party she would tell us some of her stories on her racing.  She will be missed by the entire racing commumity.
John Sweet
Subject: Fw: Donna Mae




      --- On Thu, 10/8/09, Don Baker <dcbakerscca at yahoo.com> wrote:


        From: Don Baker <dcbakerscca at yahoo.com>
        Subject: Fw: Donna Mae
        To: rfittipaldo at post-gazette.com, "DAN DELBIANCO" <delbianco1 at verizon.net>, "DICK SCOTT" <dixlola at verizon.net>, "CAROL DAVIS" <cview3 at comcast.net>
        Date: Thursday, October 8, 2009, 4:23 PM




              --- On Thu, 10/8/09, Chris Granche <zorrocg at msn.com> wrote:

                Date: Thursday, October 8, 2009, 2:07 PM


                By now you probably have heard of Donna Mae's passing.  Here are the details:
                 
                MIMS DONNA MAE
                Age 82 of Bridgeville on Tuesday October 6, 2009. Born July 1, 1927 to George Warnoch and Margaret Bodner. She was know by many as the "Pink Lady, Think Pink, Donna Amazing and even Free Maui". Donna started racing in 1958 and was the first woman driver ever to win a Sports Car Club of America National Championship H Production 1963 ( only 2 other ladies since). Her career and involvement in Yenko led her to racing such cars as the Camaro, Austin Healey, MG, Corvette and Corvairs. She worked for Yenko Chevrolet and Yenko sports car division as executive secretary for both and was the liaison for design and production with the Yenko sports car division a they cars as the Duece, Camaro, Nova, Chevelle, Yenko Stingers and Corvair. She worked closely with Zora Arkus-Duntov, Ed Cole and the pioneers of Chevrolet Racing. She coordinated parts delivery and car development of Corvette Race Cars in Canonsburg PA. She raced many time in Sebring, Daytona, and Riverside . Donna Mae was as original participant in the original Cannonball Run where her 1972 Cadillac Limo was wrecked with her teammate behind the wheel. She was known as being able to go toe to toe with some of the best drivers in the country at speeds up to 140 miles per hour. She was an avid longtime member of the SCCA and her other interests included Jazz music and teaching Sunday school as an active member in Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church . Funeral Arrangements By BEINHAUER. Peters Township 724-941-3211 friends are welcome to attend a celebration of her life Saturday and Sunday from 2pm till 8pm both days. Additional visitation Monday from 10 am until time of service at 11 am. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Corvette Museum , Bowling Green Kentucky . Please add or view tributes at www.beinhauerfamilyservices.com
                Send condolences at post-gazette.com/gb
                 
                We will miss her.
                ~ Chris ~
                ALL:
                   
                   It should also be noted that  DONNA MAE was a longtime member of the 
                STEEL CITIES REGION of the SPORTS CAR CLUB OF AMERICA and
                the CORVETTE CLUB OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA. She was a 
                founder and member of the STEELTOWN CORVETTE CLUB and the THREE RIVERS CORVETTE CLUB.  She also is a member of the WESTERN PENNSLYVANIA CORVAIR CLUB and sometimes participated in the BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAIN SPORTS CAR CLUB events (especially the socials).  DONNA MAE will be remembered for our SPRING FLINGS formerly DNF parties up on Mt Washington each year when she rounded up many of our old timers for great socials to kickoff the racing season each year. Don't forget she has been involved with the PITTSBURGH VINTAGE GRAND PRIX since the first year (1983), most times as a Grid Marshal and some times as a pit crew member.

                                                                     Don Baker  /   SCR-SCCA

                PS:  Following the memorial service, friends are invited to 
                 BELLA SERA by GRECO's  414 Morgan Rd, Cannonsburg  15317.
                Corvette owners are requested to cruise from Beinhauer's to Bella Sera's.



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