Fire Suit worn by Janet Guthrie in the 1978 Indianapolis 500

White, one piece auto racing fire suit with a red and orange stripe down the side and patches throughout. There is a zipper front with velcro closing at the neck and cuffs. This fire suit was worn by Janet Guthrie in the 1978 Indianapolis 500, the first women to race in the Indianapolis 500.

Janet Guthrie, flight instructor, aerospace engineer and race car driver. Three occupations that were difficult for women in the 1970s to break into, but Guthrie held her own in all three. A pioneer in the world of auto racing, Guthrie was the first woman to qualify and compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Daytona 500, however, found it difficult to find sponsors due to sexist attitudes of the mid-1970s. Texaco, Goodyear and Champion, well established companies in the auto industry, were the only companies willing to sponsor Guthrie and her team for the 1978 Indianapolis 500. When interviewed post-race after placing 8th, she lamented about the lack of equality in motor sports, an issue she dealt with until her retirement. Guthrie is still a strong advocate for women racers today.