Women and racing (not just a mans sport )

  • Thread starter Nicksfix
  • 30 comments
  • 4,196 views

Women and racing ?

  • Women should be allowed to participate in pro racing

    Votes: 52 86.7%

  • Women should not be allowed to participate in pro racing

    Votes: 8 13.3%
  • Total voters
    60
Nicksfix

Nicksfix

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Today I had a lenghty discussion with a fellow co-worker about women and racing.He was ripping on women who were involved in motorsports,the driving aspect of this sport.His view is that women should be in the stands watching and not participating at all,because he feels they just can't drive powerful cars or motorcycles.His other view is that they are too easily intimidated by the man and that factor makes them less competitive.His other point was if women want to get involved in motorsports,they should have a league of their own and call it a powderpuff series.

I beg to differ,women have made a tremendous impact on the world of motorsports.I personally feel that if they can race with the big boys of the sport,then just let them go for it.

Just look below:

1.) Ashley Force - Has won Top Alcohol Dragter national events with the NHRA

2.) Janet Guthrie - On May 7, 1977, Guthrie not only made her presence known by being the first woman to drive at Indy, she also set an Indianapolis 500 qualifying lap-speed record; placed 9th at Indy in 1978.

3.) Shirley Muldowney - (no brainer here) - Has won Top Fuel and Dragster national events with NHRA.She was the first driver, male or female, to repeat as NHRA Winston World Champion and the first driver to win the Championship three times: 1977, 1980, and 1982.

4.) Cristen Powell - she also has won Top Fuel Dragster national events with NHRA.Cristen was the second youngest driver to ever win an NHRA Professional national event title when she claimed the Top Fuel title at the Mopar Parts Nationals less than two months after her 18th birthday.

5.) Angelle Seeling - she set a national motorcycle speed record the quarter mile at Reading, Pa., in 7.373 seconds, the fastest pass ever by an NHRA pro stock motorcycle by either a man or woman to earn her first NHRA victory.

6.) Louise Walker - first woman to win a national championship round in Britian, also wins the Coupes des Dances at the Monte Carlo Rally in 1983 - voted National Driver of the Year by readers of Autosport, won Ladies World Rally Championship in 1990, won Jim Clark Trophy and Seagrove Trophy in 1991.

Alot of women are involved in drag racing,but if you look here,you'll see more:
http://www.menstuff.org/issues/byissue/womenracerslist.html

So what are your views on women in racing ?

I say yes
 
Ive got no problems with it, from my own racing experience they have the same agression level as the guys and the same skill level. From a purely techincal standpoint they're lighter and smaller than most guys, so are an advantage.

As a bonus a chick in a race suit is pretty hot :)
 
I would like to see more women in racing. Its just that there are not many that want to? ya I do like the way thay look in a race suit too!
 
earnhard3
ya I do like the way thay look in a race suit too!
Click to expand...
And I think this is the crux of the matter: women believe they won't be taken seriously. Look at Danica Patrick, whose fanbase is probably made up of a lot of guys who saw her do her shots in Sports Illustrated. Women don't want to be objectified; if a man's first thought upon seeing a woman in a racing suit is along the lines of "Whoa, she looks hot!", the odds are they're not going to be interested in racing. But if we tend to see them more as a competitor in the event as opposed to an object, they'll be more inclined to compete.

And speaking of Danica Patrick, I think she makes a lot of people nervous. When she won at Motegi, not a few commentators - and forum posters, it must be said - were questioning her victory. Some were only minor comments like suggesting her win was a product more of luck than of any actual skill, but the worse comments were suggesting that the likes of Helio Castronevers or whoever it was that she caught in the dying laps actually moved over and let her through. Motorsport has been a predominantly male sport since its inception, and when Patrick became the first woman to win an internationally-accredited event like this, I think a lot of men felt threatened by it. Until now, the most successful women drivers were the likes of Lella Lmobardi, who competed in a handful of Grands Prix and walked away with just half a point.
 
Do you race? is right on. You are unlikely to get very many "no" answers when you ask the question as directly as this. However, at least right now, when a woman is battling for positions, you probably won't think of her in the same way as other competitors, regardless of your position on the issue. People who are in favor of women racing in the highest levels of motorsports, or at least have no problem with it, might think along the lines of "hey, cool, there's a woman high up in the running order" rather than focusing on the driving and competition itself. And those against it will, of course, attribute any successes to media hype, or the team, or most importantly, luck. Female drivers must hate these attitudes, even when they're subconscious, and it's definitely a major reason why there aren't very many in the most visible series right now.
 
Of course I and many others don't mind the opposite sex racing. Like has been said, the issue is just the way they are viewed in general conversation.
This is fairly easy to fix though, we just we need a woman to actually win a championship of some kind, several times. Until that happens, they will never be taken seriously because people feel they don't have what it takes.
 
wonder who voted NO ? and why ? :indiff:

I am going to print this off tomorrow and give it to Mr. co-worker to to show that I am not the only one who believes in women in the world of autosports. :sly:

EDIT:

Seriously though,I will not induce any type of arguements or anything such related,but will any one of the NO votes come forward and please express why you do not feel women do not belong in motorsports.
 
Last edited:
Yes, they should. Girls should also participate drifting competitions like D1 Grand Prix and Formula D. I have no problems against girls, and though they look great in a racing suit.
 
I took an SCCA Drivers School many years back. My instructor was a woman who was a regular and strong competitor in a GP Sprite. No question on my part that she "Belonged".
I frequently raced against female competitors at autocrosses, ice races, and rallies. Some were good, some not-so-good, some were excellent. I could say the exact same about my male competitors. Some people belong on the track and some don't. Their sex had nothing to do with it. Attitude and skill did.
Your friend's arguement died decades ago.
 
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I don't see why not if they are good enough, I think the NHRA is the best example of women in pro racing as there is at least one in every major class except Pro Stock. I think Danika casts a bad stereotype of female racers with her tantrums that she throws.

I think part of the blame has to given to corporate sponsors as many would rather sponsor a male driver over a female, which makes it hard for them to get top level rides as the teams can't get the funding they need.
 
Northstar3914
I think part of the blame has to given to corporate sponsors as many would rather sponsor a male driver over a female, which makes it hard for them to get top level rides as the teams can't get the funding they need.
Click to expand...

What? How does that work? There isn't a faster way of gaining publicity in motorsport! I would have thought if you're a good driver and you're female you would be covered in sponsors lol. Ok, so not that easily, but I hardly think women would find it any harder to attract sponsors than men.
 
erm you forgot danica patrick in woman racers she is the 1st woman to win a major race in indy racing she won twin motege race and what about shebine smitz queen of the nurburgring
 
lpb-nissan-gt-r
erm you forgot danica patrick in woman racers she is the 1st woman to win a major race in indy racing she won twin motege race and what about shebine smitz queen of the nurburgring
Click to expand...

:odd:

Do you race?
..... Look at Danica Patrick....

And speaking of Danica Patrick....


....Motorsport has been a predominantly male sport since its inception, and when Patrick became the first woman to win an internationally-accredited event like this....
Click to expand...

Northstar3914
I think Danika casts a bad stereotype of female racers with her tantrums that she throws.
Click to expand...

And do you mean Sabine Schmitz? Helps to spell names right if you want said women to be respected.
 
Even though you are on a PS3, you aren't allowed text-speak on this forum, for the benefit of the non-English speakers. Its in the AUP.
Though fair enough about spelling her name.
 
I say yes! Absolutely! It's racing the fastest human wins male or female. I can only say on thing to the nay sayer's stop being such a pussy.
 
TheBigMan045
As a bonus a chick in a race suit is pretty hot :)
Click to expand...
You got that right!

Ashley Force
NHRA%20driver%20Ashley%20Force%20named%20hottest%20athlete%5B2%5D.jpg


Erica Enders
erica.enders.500.jpg


👍
 
Nicksfix
wonder who voted NO ? and why ? :indiff:

I am going to print this off tomorrow and give it to Mr. co-worker to to show that I am not the only one who believes in women in the world of autosports. :sly:

EDIT:

Seriously though,I will not induce any type of arguements or anything such related,but will any one of the NO votes come forward and please express why you do not feel women do not belong in motorsports.
Click to expand...

OT: I believe there is an option in the polls to make them public or not to see who voted for what.
 
Reventón;3381657
OT: I believe there is an option in the polls to make them public or not to see who voted for what.
Click to expand...

Not really so much interested in who,but why ?

Just being curious as to why they do not feel women should be involved in motorsports thats all.
 
Northstar3914
I think Danika casts a bad stereotype of female racers with her tantrums that she throws.
Click to expand...

AJ Foyt had well known tantrums for years when things weren't going his way.

Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher (early in his career) did all sorts of stupid things that if a female driver ever tried, would get her run out of town. Could you imagine if a female driver had the gall to deliberately take out another competitor?

There's still a big double standard here. If Tony Stewart hurls his hemet at a competitor, he goes to anger management and gains fan base. If Danica confronts another driver in the paddock she's called B*tchy? Women are to be seen and not heard?


I didn't vote. It's a pointless poll. Women are racing and that's very unlikely to change.
 
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Nicksfix
Not really so much interested in who,but why ?

Just being curious as to why they do not feel women should be involved in motorsports thats all.
Click to expand...
Oh, I know. I just stating if the poll was set to show who voted what, it'd be easier for us to ask the people who voted no.
Ardius
Neither are you. What's your point? He still broke the AUP...or would you rather me not give advice to people so they aren't banned?
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I can't help but feel there's now some ironic outcome of his post. :D
 
There are a lot of women (or perhaps i should say 'girls' since most of them are probably pre or early teens) in karting. Trouble is, whilst the boys carry on through pubity with many, or those with the finances to do so, moving up to single seaters, a lot of girls become well, girlie, and loose interest or get into horse riding or something. Those that do move into full-size circuit racing then become the exception and get put into the spot light where everything they do gets closely scrutinized. I've raced against several women before. Some were very quick and others were less so - just like the men i've competed against.
 
What I will write here is maybe wrong, if this thread is only about "tarmac/circuit" racing, or even about racing in the USA. But when I read "Do you Race?" saying

... when Patrick became the first woman to win an internationally-accredited event like this...
Click to expand...

I can only say that, as it has been pointed out by sar593 and Duffers917K,, Michelle Mouton (WRC driver, won several rallies, and Pikes Peak winner) and also Jutta Kleinschmidt (Dakar winner) are maybe being forgotten.

Especially Michelle Mouton, by far the most successful "woman-racing-driver" in history.
 

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