[simple simon]

TYLER — During the 1960s, women were struggling for rights, respect and the reversal of the attitude that a woman's place was in the kitchen, not the boardroom. Mary Rife-McCally, 66, was a young wife and mother then.


The Guinness World Record holder wasn't thinking about tossing a rock through the glass ceiling when she made history as the "fastest woman on water" after reaching 200 mph in a quarter-mile stretch or when she won the 1978 world nationals in the top fuel hydro category.

"I guess I have a need for speed," the Flint resident said. "It's just in you."
The reigning world record holder made history again recently, displaying her vintage top fuel hydro racing boat Proud Mary alongside dragsters featured at the California Hot Rod Reunion honoring the pioneers of racing.


Speed boat queen gets Proud Mary back together

[Racer Duck]

a few pix fom the restoration website:

the original


with mario andretti onboard at 170mph


with a Keith Black 426 hemi and a wing


restoration complete