Barbara Roufs: Wiki, Bio, Age, Height, Weight, Measurements, Husband, Daughter

Barbara Roufs (born 1944; died January 1991) was an American drag race trophy girl and model who brought excitement and glamour to Southern California drag racing during the 1970s.

She became an iconic figure in the drag racing community and was recognized as the queen of multiple racing championships. Despite her tragic death at age 47, Barbara remains remembered as one of the most beloved trophy girls in drag racing history.

Barbara distinguished herself from other trophy girls due to her age, stunning physique, and signature style that included broad straightened hair and 60s go-go boots. She was instrumental during drag racing’s evolution in the 1970s when the sport transitioned from its golden age of the 1960s.

Barbara Roufs Wikipedia

Full Name	Barbara Roufs
Birth Year	1944
Death	January 1991
Age at Death	47 years old
Place of Birth	Southern California, United States
Nationality	American
Occupation	Drag racing trophy girl, model
Famous For	Being a trophy girl in 1970s drag racing
Height	5’5″ (165 cm)
Weight	118 lbs (55 kg)
Body Measurements	32-25-32 inches
Hair Color	Brown
Eye Color	Brown
Parents	Wayne Eldon Riley (father), Thelma Ruby Riley (mother)
Siblings	Vivian Deaton, James Riley, Bruce Riley, Ben Gube (adopted)
Ex-Husband	Donald Arthur Roufs
Children	Bridgette Roufs, Jet Dougherty
Notable Titles	1973 PDA Queen, US Dragster Championship Queen
Estimated Net Worth	$1.5 million (at time of death)

Early Life

Barbara Roufs was born in 1944 in Southern California, United States. She was the daughter of Wayne Eldon Riley (father) and Thelma Ruby Riley (mother).

She grew up with three biological siblings and one adopted brother. Her siblings were Vivian Deaton, James Riley, and Bruce Riley, while her adopted brother was Ben Gube.

Barbara’s mother owned a beauty salon in Clovis for 50 years and served as the organist for the Church of the Nazarene, Calvary Bible, Baptist Valley Bible, and Grace Baptist Church. Her father was passionate about motorcycles and raced at the Kearney Bowl.

Her parents were notable figures in their community and became the first couple to be inducted into the Clovis Hall of Fame. The family enjoyed spending time at their houseboat on McClure Lake, where her father loved to fish.

Education

Barbara completed her studies in California, where she spent most of her childhood. After finishing her education, she developed an interest in the drag racing scene, though instead of becoming a race driver, she chose to become a trophy girl.

Career

Barbara worked as a drag racing trophy girl and model during the late 1960s and early 1970s. She became the queen of the 6th annual U.S. Professional Dragster Championship at Orange County International Raceway and was crowned the 1973 PDA (Professional Dragster Association) queen.

Despite being older than most trophy girls at 29, Barbara became a favorite among racers and fans. Her beauty and charismatic presence made her highly sought after by manufacturers and businesses wanting to market their products to drag racing audiences.

Barbara’s striking appearance regularly featured in branded t-shirts and advertisement magazines. Many people credited her with bringing life and excitement to drag races during a pivotal time when the sport was evolving.

She was instrumental during the 1970s transformation of drag racing, when racers were replacing older model cars with new versions featuring better engines and more power. Her role extended beyond simply awarding trophies to winners – she became an integral part of the racing experience.

Personal Life

Barbara married Donald Arthur Roufs in 1961. Their daughter Bridgette was born in 1964, but the couple divorced in 1971.

She later had another child, Jet Dougherty, whom she welcomed when she was 29 years old. The identity of Jet’s father remains unknown to the public.

In 2016, photographer Tom West uploaded photographs of Barbara from her earliest days as a trophy girl. After seeing the photos online, Barbara’s daughter Jet posted a heartfelt comment paying tribute to her mother, expressing surprise at seeing the photos published but noting that her mother would have been proud to see them as they depicted some of her happiest moments.

Barbara lived with her family in Fresno, California, before her death. She tragically died by suicide in January 1991 at the age of 47, though the specific reasons behind her decision remain unclear.

Body Measurements

Barbara Roufs had a model-like physique that contributed to her popularity in the drag racing scene. She stood at 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) tall and weighed 118 pounds (55 kg).

Her body measurements were 32-25-32 inches, giving her an hourglass figure that was ideal for modeling work. She had brown hair and brown eyes, and was known for her signature style featuring broad straightened hair and 60s go-go boots.

Her outstanding physical attributes made her a favorite among companies that used her image for marketing their products, particularly clothing items targeted at the drag racing community.

Net Worth

Barbara worked as a drag racing trophy girl and model throughout the 1970s. While the exact salaries of trophy girls during that era were not publicly disclosed, she earned money through her modeling work and appearances at racing events.

Some of Barbara’s iconic photos from the 1970s continue to sell online today. Her estimated net worth at the time of her death was approximately $1.5 million, though this figure is based on limited available financial information from that period.

Read more: Laura San Giacomo: Wiki, Bio, Age, Height, Measurements, Husband, Son, Net Worth

References

• MSN. “Barbara Roufs: The tragic story of the drag racing queen“.
• Tuko. “Who was Barbara Roufs? Racing trophy girl, family, and cause of death“.
• Four Magazine. “Meet Barbara Roufs: All You Need To Know About Tragic Death Of Racing Trophy Girl“.
• Find a Grave. “Barbara Jean ‘Heather’ Brown Riley Roufs Memorial“.
• GudStory. “The Tragic Life Of Barbara Roufs“.