History 1960s

1962 Coupe des Dames (France)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1962 Coupe des Dames

Date: September 1962

Start/Finish Location: Paris, France

Total Distance: Approximately 1,100 kilometers

Total Entries: 38 crews (all-female teams)

Total Starters: 35 crews

Total Finishers: 30 crews

A signature event in the women’s motorsport calendar of the early 1960s, the Coupe des Dames offered a competitive arena for some of Europe’s finest female rally talent. Emphasizing precision, regularity, and navigation across France’s paved countryside routes, it blended sporting ambition with elegance — and was closely watched by factory teams.

Route

Parisian Departure: An early morning ceremonial start from Paris sent crews south through Fontainebleau forest zones.
Loire Valley Roads: Tarmac rally stages along wine routes and river crossings, marked by undulating terrain and hairpins.
Auxerre Return Leg: A closing loop through narrow village lanes and gravel-edged rural sections tested fatigue management.

The 1962 route combined scenic liaison segments and technical special stages across the Loire Valley and Burgundy regions:

Crews faced tight controls and heavy time pressure — with penalties issued for navigational deviations or excess delays.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Annie Soisbault & Michèle Cancre · Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint
2nd Place
Marianne Hoepfner & Anne Baverey · Simca Aronde Montlhéry
3rd Place
Pat Moss & Pauline Mayman · Mini Cooper

Soisbault’s pace and Cancre’s navigation proved unmatched in the Alfa Romeo, combining sharp cornering and consistent timing. Meanwhile, Moss and Mayman — already rally icons — used the Coupe as a tune-up between major international rallies.

Navigation & Challenges

The rally’s demands lay not in speed, but in rhythm, accuracy, and smooth execution:

  • Timekeeping: Split-second navigation timing was required to avoid costly penalties during tightly scheduled segments.
  • Rural Hazards: Potholes, livestock crossings, and unmarked turns kept drivers alert and dependent on co-drivers.
  • Visibility & Weather: Fog and morning glare on shaded roads added complexity during the final return leg.

The 1962 Coupe des Dames underscored the talent and tactical sharpness of women in motorsport — with names like Moss and Soisbault proving that rallying excellence knows no gender boundaries.

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