But she started her sporting career on horseback, becoming well known as a successful show-jumper and member of the British showjumping team.

In 1953, aged 18, she started driving in club rallies after being introduced to the sport by boyfriend Ken Gregory, Stirling's manager.

Thus began a relationship lasting seven years, netting three championships and benefiting the British Motor Corporation with valuable publicity.

As a BMC works team driver, Moss had her breakthrough in 1958, when she drove her Morris Minor to 4th place on the RAC Rally.

Her biggest achievement, however, was winning the Netherlands' Tulip Rally in a Mini Cooper,[2] which Moss considered "twitchy, and pretty unruly on the limit".

Her other notable results of the season included winning the Sestriere Rally and finishing 8th at the Acropolis and 7th at the Tour de Corse.