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Age is just a number when you’ve got a need for speed. For more than seven decades, Bobbi Oxford has cheered from the stands, her heart beating in rhythm with the roar of engines. Her childhood was filled with the smells of gasoline and rubber, the pulse of high-speed chases, and the pride of watching her brother tear up drag strips. But for her, the driver’s seat was always just out of reach.
Back then, women behind the wheel in motorsports weren’t just rare—they were nearly nonexistent. The one time she almost got her chance was during a Powder Puff Derby, an event designed for female racers. But as fate would have it, rain washed out her debut. Her shot at glory? Gone in a downpour.
Until now.
A long-awaited green light
At 83, Bobbi’s decades-long dream roared back to life thanks to Wish of a Lifetime, the AARP-affiliated nonprofit that grants meaningful wishes to older adults. The organization arranged for her to finally hit the track at none other than Pikes Peak International Raceway, where she’d get to burn some rubber in a real race car.
“I have the need for speed, baby!” she declared, grinning from ear to ear at her senior living community in Littleton, Colorado, where she typically spends her days quilting, painting, and quietly enjoying retirement.
But quiet living took a backseat when Bobbi suited up in a custom racing outfit and helmet, got a garage tour, and joined a seasoned instructor for the ride of her life.
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Pedal to the metal—and no rain in sight
With the Colorado sky bright and clear, Bobbi wasn’t holding anything back this time. “As fast as I can—maybe a hundred and thirty,” she told CBS Sunday Morning when asked how fast she wanted to go.
Lined up along the track were cheering fans: fellow women drivers, her senior community friends, and her family waving handmade signs. Their voices echoed through the speedway as Bobbi circled the track again and again. “Just the sound of this motor and being behind this wheel,” she exclaimed. “You step on the gas, and hear roarrrrr—I tell you!”
And when she was ready to switch from driver to passenger, a professional gave her a taste of the full racing experience—complete with screeching tires and a few high-octane spins.
Living proof that it’s never too late
For Bobbi, this wasn’t just a joyride. It was a full-throttle victory lap over a lifetime of limitations.
“I made it!” she shouted after completing her laps. “Nothing can ever, ever top this.”
And with wide eyes and a grin still on her face, she added, “Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would get in a race car, but I did!”
The takeaway: keep your dreams idling, not parked
Bobbi’s story isn’t just about speed—it’s about second chances. It’s about ignoring the speed bumps life throws at you and staying ready for that moment when the track opens up and the green flag waves.
If there’s something you’ve always wanted to do, start making it real—even if it takes a while. Write it down. Talk about it. Share it with someone who might just help you turn the key.
Tips for revving up your own bucket list dreams:
- Break the dream down: Can’t run a marathon yet? Start with a 5K. Can’t buy a race car? Try go-karting or a ride-along.
- Share your goal: Whether it’s with a friend, online group, or an organization like Wish of a Lifetime, putting it out there makes it real.
- Stay ready: Keep learning, keep moving, and don’t stop dreaming. Even if the rain falls on your Powder Puff moment, another chance could be waiting around the bend.
Fun fact: The first woman to ever compete in the Indy 500 was Janet Guthrie in 1977—decades after Bobbi’s first dream fizzled in the rain. But now? Women are a growing force in motorsports—and Bobbi just added her own lap in that legacy.
So whether you’re 18 or 83, it’s never too late to chase the thrill. Just ask Bobbi.
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