BARBARA TOY TRIBUTE RUN
Barbara Alex Toy (1908-2001) was born in Australia and moved to England in 1935. In 1950, following a bet she made with a group of friends, she declared nothing could stop someone who really wanted to do something, and promptly announced she was off on a solo trip to Baghdad in a few weeks, without any existing plans to do so. She secured a used Land Rover, arranged transit details and was off several weeks later. Barbara and her Land Rover Series truck Pollyanna successfully completed her solo trip, and she launched her career as a travel writer and a female overlanding pioneer.
In 1959, Barbara continued her solo adventures, driving from Libya across the Sahara Desert to Ethiopia to become one of the 20th century’s greatest travelers.
In 1989 at the age of 81 in a more modern Land Rover she completed her second solo circumnavigation of the World. Barbara Toy a true inspiration to women everywhere.
In 2016 Texas Rovers SCARR event members Sarah Caldwell and Laura Shacklette organized the first Barbara Toy Tribute Trail Run. This event which started at SCARR has been held every year since and features only women drivers (no male drivers). It allows women to build off-road experience and knowledge and increasing confidence behind the wheel.Texas Rovers are proud to carry on the tradition of inspiring women in the enjoyment of the great outdoors, while learning off-road their vehicles.article by By Kyle G. Horst
