The First Female Rally Driver of the Canary Islands: The Story of Hortensia Hernández

In 1949, Hortensia Hernández Pérez was born in Puerto de la Cruz. This woman forever changed the history of motorsport in the Canary Islands. She is 75 years old, and her name is remembered by everyone who knew her. She defied the rules, put on a helmet, and got behind the wheel at a time when there was almost no place for women in sports.

Her life has always been connected to cars. She was born into a family where everyone loved cars. Her father ran the family business, which represented various car brands, and her older brother was already racing on the tracks. Hortensia quickly became captivated by this atmosphere of gasoline and speed. It was this passion that sparked her sports career. She became the first professional rally driver in the Canary Islands.

It all started by chance. Immediately after getting her driver's license, her brother suggested she participate in her first race. "My brother said, 'Come on, try yourself in a race.' And after a few years, I started racing more often."

Initially, Hortensia participated in rallies in Tenerife, which were organized specifically for women. These were regularity competitions. But soon she moved on to speed races, mountain sections, and eventually, the Spanish Championship. When she first put on a helmet in the 70s, she felt no fear or doubt. She says she doesn't remember "any fear or strange feelings," and adds that youth also played a role. Courage and youth helped her not to be afraid of the male world of motorsport.

Her big breakthrough came in 1974 when she went to mainland Spain to participate in a major rally. She recalls that the car "had no roll bars or normal seatbelts," and the track ran for "one and a half thousand kilometers across half of Spain." But this adventure ended in victory. Hortensia Hernández Pérez won her first Ladies Cup at the national level.

A year later, she went to the peninsula again with the famous navigator Nuria Llopis and won again. This double victory made her a true pioneer of Canarian motorsport. She recalls that returning to Tenerife with the victory was "incredible and unforgettable."

In the third race, a breakdown prevented her from winning, but she had already written her name in history: a Canarian woman competing on equal terms with men in the national championship.

In those days, when the role of women was limited, Hortensia had to face prejudice. "On the small islands, they looked at me strangely and said, 'Girl, you should stay at home, work, clean, or something like that.'" But she never gave up: "I thought I should be myself, I liked it... and I didn't care whether others liked it or not."

Often, Hortensia's talent caused discomfort among male competitors, especially when she beat them in the same cars. "There were guys who didn't like me overtaking them. But I didn't pay attention to it," she recalls.

Hortensia does not consider herself a symbol, but admits that she is pleased that she opened the way for other women. She "really likes" being called that. And she is "glad that she is considered, so to speak, a pioneer who opened the door for other women in motorsport." Her legacy lives on in the young girls who today turn to her for advice or simply express their respect.

After finishing her racing career, Hortensia became the manager of racing teams. She worked with such famous drivers as José Luis Rivero, Tomás Gimeno, and Goyo Picar. One of the brightest memories is working with the latter, with whom she created a "very good team." She also recalls unforgettable moments with Mitsubishi on the peninsula, where they won the Spanish Cup.

In addition to rallying, Hortensia had a successful career in the automotive industry. She worked for such large companies as Mitsubishi and Ford, and was even a member of the European committee that was involved in the development of future cars. This entrepreneurial activity helped her break even more stereotypes. She recalls with humor that when she went to conferences, people said, "Look, this is a manager, and there are probably 98 men and two women there."

"I am very satisfied with what I did. I think I did it when I wanted and how I wanted." Hortensia Hernández is a symbol of the courage of those who dared to change the rules in an era when women had almost no opportunities to dream. From her first races in Tenerife to victories in national championships, through her role as a leader and entrepreneur, her story is the story of a pioneer who never lost her simplicity.