Joy setting off on American dream (From Evesham Journal)

Joy setting off on American dream

11:40am Sunday 2nd September 2012 in Evesham By Sarah Taylor

AFTER losing her husband and travelling companion to cancer, Joy Rainey thought she would never complete their dream of driving across America.

But two years on, Ms Rainey, of Wickhamford, near Evesham, is preparing to take on the challenge after all.

She said: “We were planning to do the American drive in 2009. We put it off until the following year because he was diagnosed with cancer and he actually died in October 2009.

“I did not think that I could take on such a challenging trip without my soulmate.

“Now, after considerable soulsearching and encouragement from old and new friends, I have decided this challenge feels like unfinished business. It will be extremely challenging but I am so determined now.”

The motor enthusiast, who is the daughter of racer Murray Rainey, hopes to raise £20,000 for Cancer Research on her journey from Los Angeles, California, to Daytona Beach, Florida.

She will depart on April 14 next year and tackle an enormous range of conditions, from 6,500-foot high mountains to blisteringly hot deserts over the 2,826 miles, before arriving on May 15 in her 109-year-old Curved Dash Oldsmobile.

In preparation for the trip Ms Rainey is taking part in the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run on Sunday, November 4.

It is a trip she has undertaken many times as part of her varied motor sport career, which has included racing a Jaguar Etype in speed hill climbs before progressing to a 2.3-litre singleseater and breaking several records along the way.

To support Joy, visit joyacross- america.com