Acknowledgements

Rosemary

My sincere thanks to all my wonderful friends, all the motoring people and everybody I’ve met along the way, who have encouraged me to tell my story. I am indebted to the RIAC, especially Alex Sinclair and Arthur Collier (Chairman), not forgetting, of course, the lovely staff in the restaurant and garage for their kindness. I would like to thank my old friend Eddie Jordan for his generous foreword. I am grateful to Renault Ireland for its support and for giving me the amazing opportunity to represent them and make history in the Formula 1 drive. My thanks too to the Jameson Distillery at Bow Street. I wouldn’t be here at all if it wasn’t for the wonderful staff of the Beacon, St Vincent’s Hospital and the Blackrock Clinic. They kept me alive, and Ann and Judy of Peter Marks Hairdressers in Dundrum kept me looking good.

Finally, I would like to thank Ann Ingle most sincerely for putting up with me for a year and a half while she was writing my story. She’s the kindest, most generous person – and very patient. Without her this book would never have been written. My ‘Mrs Ghost’.

Ann

Thanks to Paul Howard for introducing me to Rosemary and for his unequivocal belief that I was the woman for the job. I am grateful to my early readers, June Finegan and the members of the PS Writers Group, for their encouragement. The insights of Sarah Ingle and Willo Roe were invaluable. Thanks to Faith O’Grady, of the Lisa Richards Agency, for recognising that Rosemary had a great story to tell and to Eoin McHugh, of HarperCollins, for making it happen. Meeting Rosemary Smith and working with her has been a privilege and an unforgettable experience. Thanks, Rosemary, for all the laughs along the way.