Claudia GOLDSON-Rae knows what it means to be a winner. As as teenager in high school, she took centre stage, being crowned 'Miss St Jago' during the 1980s.

Therefore, it came as no surprise to those who knew her back then when Jamaica Race Drivers' Club (JRDC) honoured her last Monday for being the first female driver to win a race at the Dover Raceway, St Ann.

Goldson-Rae was among 35 persons recognised by the JRDC for their contribution to circuit racing, as Dover celebrated its 20th anniversary at The Jamaica Pegasus.

"This all started in 1989, having held my driver's licence for all of one year," Goldson-Rae told the audience during the presentation ceremony.

Revealing how she was able to win that race, Goldson-Rae said: "Upon my arrival at Dover and seeing the track ... I realised that all I needed to do was to make a mistake ... and I would be taking a free flight to Cuba."

Husband's advice

She said that she took her husband Peter's advice on how fast to go and how close to pass each car.

"As fate would have it, I pulled the last number out of the hat and was positioned last on the grid," she said.

The driver said she, however, used this to her advantage.

"I was able to see the braking pattern of the other drivers, and soon after the green flag was waved I was able to slingshot to the front and stay there to avoid scratching, denting and hurting the love of Peter's life - the car," she said.

- G.S.