(1900-1994)
Eliška Junková, the first and most famous Czech female car racer. She took part in four of the most prestigious races, specifically the Klausenpass hillclimb, the Sicilian Targa Florio twice and once the race on the Nürburgring. The Targa Florio, one of the most difficult races in the world, is considered the peak of Eliška Junková’s career. In 1928, with a Bugatti 35B, she finished fifth overall and first among private, i.e. non-factory drivers, despite technical problems with the car. It is an extraordinary achievement in the history of women’s racing. Her sports career ended prematurely by the tragic accident of her husband Čeněk Junko. She hasn’t raced since, but she never ceased being interested in motorsport, trying to support Czechoslovak drivers and motorsport in Czechoslovakia in general. She co-organised the now legendary Czechoslovak 1000 mile race and advocated for the construction of the Masaryk Circuit in Brno, used for motorcycle Grand Prix.