| Director | Andrew V. McLaglen |
|---|---|
| Budget | $25 million |
| Box office | $1.4 million |
In 1928, R. J. Gordon dies in a practice run before he can drive his new race car in the Trans-African Auto Race through the Sahara Desert. To save her father's dream, and win the prize money, Gordon's beautiful daughter, Dale, makes plans to drive his car. To this end, Dale disguises herself as a man and, with the help of her father’s friends, takes his place in the race.
Dale is an excellent driver and has a high likelihood of winning the male-only race. Soon after crossing the start line, Dale discards her hat and mustache, thus revealing to the other racers that she is a woman. While taking a shortcut, she comes close to a tribal war between Bedouin factions. Another racer, the German Henrich Von Glessing, also takes the same shortcut in order to supply weapons to the evil leader of the two warring tribes.
Dale and her crew are captured by Rasoul, the uncle of Sheikh Ahmed Al Jaffar, the good leader of the warring tribes. Jaffar had seen Dale from afar and desired her, so he rescues her from Rasoul by claiming Dale as his bride. Dale marries Jaffar and escapes the next morning in her car to attempt to finish the race. She is captured by tribal leader Lord Beg before she can complete the race, but a stowaway Gypsy child runs back to Jaffar to tell him of Dale's capture. Meanwhile, Dale is thrown into a pit of leopards. Jaffar rallies his men, rescues her and allows her to return to drive in the race. Dale wins the race, and while celebrating, sees Jaffar's horse nearby. She bids farewell to her crew, mounts the horse, and returns to Jaffar.