Celebrate a decade of adventure! Join Texas Rovers at SCARR 2026 for the 10th Barbara Toy Tribute Run, with Park Place Land Rover DFW proudly returning as the Run sponsor. In celebration of the event, Tom Pickford, owner of Barbara’s acclaimed vehicle Pollyanna, will be attendance. Don’t miss your chance to meet Tom and this amazing vehicle in person.
 
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 is 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.
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Calling all adventurous ladies! It soon will be time to register for the Barbara Toy Tribute Run. Ladies are invited to drive their own vehicle or ride along as a passenger with another lady driver. Meet Sarah and Laura at the small Pavilion on Friday at 12:30 pm for a panel discussion where Tom Pickford will bring Barbara’s stories to life. Immediately following the panel at 2:30 pm, ladies will participate in a hands-on spotting/recovery class. 

 

The main event, the Barbara Toy Tribute Trail Run will begin on Saturday at 9:00 am. After the initial meet and greet, the group will take to the trails for practical instructions. Men are welcome as passengers ONLY and can use this opportunity to hone their passenger skills. Ladies must have current driver's license and be over I6 years of age to participate.

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Texas Rovers are proud to carry on the tradition of inspiring women in the enjoyment of the great outdoors, while learning to safely off-road their vehicles.

Barbara Toy’s book “In Search of Sheba” about her journey in East Africa, originally published in 1959, has been republished by Hachette Publishing Housein 2023.

 
Any questions? Please do not hesitate to contact scarr@texasrovers.org

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