’ROOKIE’ MANSELL STARS WITH WIN ON CART DEBUT

THE year is 1993 and Nigel Mansell CBE is with his wife Roseanne at the GC Indy Ball. (I think they got their wires crossed — she went to kiss him and he was looking distractedly at something else.)

This was his first race in Indy cars due to a disagreement with the Williams team after he had won the F1 championship in 1992. His defection to CART Racing for the Newman/Haas team was a massive coup and his appearance here caused a huge stir. He went on to set history by becoming the first “rookie” to take pole position and win his first race.

Mansell was noticeable among the other drivers because he was close to six feet (183cm) tall, a veritable giant among the driving fraternity. You will be pleased to know that after 45 years he is still happily married to Roseanne.

A WONDERFUL reward for a lifetime of dedication to dance has just been received by our own Joy Ransley (right).

The Royal Academy of Dance in London has just announced that Joy has been appointed as a fellow to the prestigious group in recognition of her 54 years of examining and teaching around the world.

From the early days of the Gold Coast City Ballet, Joy and others have worked tirelessly to promote and foster young local talent – many of them going on to have illustrious careers in some of the best ballet companies in the world after training at the Ransley Ballet and Dance Centre.

Having danced with the Royal Ballet and Dutch National Ballet, Joy has certainly lived a life before the barre.