Women racing drivers,C/D?

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My fiancee wants to be a racing driver,something she has dreamed of since I have known her.She has an incredible natural talent,and has already proved herself round Donington Park against seasoned racers(all male)and has now got several trophies from her various Kart races(again,racing against mostly men).The problem she faces is that she is a slim,very pretty young lady,and although she has pushed herself to prove her ability,most of the bigwigs and sponsors seem to ignore her passion for the sport and are more interested in taking her for a 'drink'.She handles it all really well,and has made an impression on one or two important characters in the sport,but it is heartbreaking that she isn't taken more seriously just because she isn't some big-boned geezer-bird that wants to race cars.I always thought that motor racing had a big element of glitz and glamour about it,so why should the pretty girls only get to hold the pit boards and host the hospitality tents?Will there ever be a woman in Formula 1?I know we have had a few girls in rallying,and I believe there was a woman who entered an F1 qualifying session many years ago,but the sport is geared only to men these days.Does natural talent and dedication not count for anything these days?

― Eugene Speed (Eugene Speed), Thursday, 17 July 2003 09:10 (twenty-two years ago)

There was a woman who raced in F1 (or at least tested with a team)back in the early 80s or something, I think she had exactly the same situation. Can't remember her name though

― chris (chris), Thursday, 17 July 2003 09:15 (twenty-two years ago)

As long as your girlfriend isn't Lynn St. James, Classic.

― hstencil, Thursday, 17 July 2003 09:16 (twenty-two years ago)

There have been many more women rally drivers. But I really don't see why a woman cannot be as good as a man in any motor racing discipline. Sure it requires physical fitness and toughness, but the main skill is the actual driving which is all down to mental ability really.

There's a massive amount of sexism in the sport though, which is rediculous because when women have competed on an equal footing, in rallying, they have done very well.

― Ed (dali), Thursday, 17 July 2003 09:17 (twenty-two years ago)

is your girlfreind sarah kavanagh? while i think formula 1 is dud, women being able to follow their career choices without being blocked because of their gender is obviously classic.

― angela (angela), Thursday, 17 July 2003 09:19 (twenty-two years ago)

stick to 'drag racing'! heh

― dave q, Thursday, 17 July 2003 09:21 (twenty-two years ago)

Note: the most successful female formula one driver was Italian Lella Lombardi who in 1975 finished sixth in the Spanish Grand Prix.

― chris (chris), Thursday, 17 July 2003 09:23 (twenty-two years ago)

Cheers,Chris.I knew there had been a girl in the F1 at some point,just didn't have the details!F1 is a totally different game to what it was in the 70's,and having been to race meetings all over the place I have found a definite negativity towards women,mostly from the male drivers.I guess that it's the old male ego thing about getting beaten by a girl,if they can keep the women out then there's no risk of it happening!I think it's hilarious when she takes the top step of the podium at the Kart tracks,having beaten all the blokes to first place!She deserves it,she gave up drinking,smoking,sticks to a carefully planned diet,attends the gym five times a week,and works damn hard at her 'day job' to keep the funds coming in.It's so bloody expensive,I bought her an Arai crash helmet,FIA approved race suit,race boots and gloves,and the fireproof underwear just so she could have a try drive at Donnington.That little lot cost £1200,on top of the track fee of £300 and the use of a fully prepped Caterham Superlight which we got on the cheap but was still another £250.AND as if that wasn't enough,she is doing night college studying for her MCSE just so she can get a job with one of the F1 teams on the computing side of things,so nobody can accuse her of not wanting it enough!She's only 24,I got so much respect for her belief in herself.It's just the sexist attitudes that stand in her way,and it brings her to tears sometimes.

― Eugene Speed (Eugene Speed), Thursday, 17 July 2003 09:45 (twenty-two years ago)

I would say classic, it's about time those wrinkly old f1 types would acknowledge that there are talented female drivers out there, although sadly they are few & far between! Good on her & best of luck!! Anytime you need some support at the track, just give me a shout!!

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Thursday, 17 July 2003 10:12 (twenty-two years ago)

Thanks for the support,her next big test is the Mazda Formula Woman competition.She has already competed in the Exchange and Mart 'Be A Grand Prix Driver' competition,which was on Channel 5 earlier this year.My girl was the cute blonde in the Williams jacket!The Mazda event should be good,we have already got some track time lined up to give her the extra practice she needs to stomp over the other competitors.Just to give you an idea,at Donington she went up against a guy who had been racing for 17 years.He span twice,over-revved the car and ended up bieng towed back to the garage.She went out,and stayed on track every lap,kept the car smooth and came back ONE SECOND slower than the more experienced racer.That made my year!!!I'll have to remember to post on here when and where we are going to race,there is always the possibility of blagging free tickets to these events,and they make a brilliant day out!Can't do anything for the F1 at Silverstone this weekend,but if anyone wants to meet us at Rockingham Motor Speedway in Northampton on Sunday 27th,we are going to support our mate Oli Playle who drives the #26 car in the ASCAR 'Days of Thunder' series,and the weekend after(2/3 August)we are back at Rockingham for the British F3 and GT meetings,waving the flags for the #21 GT car of Tom Shrimpton and Dan Eagling.I have been told that this event will be free of charge to get in,but check the website to be sure!!!If the weather is anything like it was at Brands Hatch last weekend,it will be a helluva good meeting!

― Eugene Speed (Eugene Speed), Thursday, 17 July 2003 11:42 (twenty-two years ago)

Giovanna Amati drove for Brabham (?) in the early 90s - I have a feeling another woman has maybe test-driven since. Don't underestimate the physical fitness aspect of F1 driving; while I'm sure a woman could race as successfully as the men, it's still something where strength and stamina play a massive part.

I'd love there to be a talented female driver in Formula 1 - I hope she persists, and good luck!

― Mark C (Mark C), Thursday, 17 July 2003 11:45 (twenty-two years ago)

Classic.

http://www.dfcom.freeserve.co.uk/hbw/images/peno.gif

― j0e (j0e), Thursday, 17 July 2003 11:46 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh wow, sounds great Eugene. Pls email me all that's happening as racing days are so much fun. We are going to Snetterton to watch Sidecar racing this w/e, that'll be new for me, but it's friends of ours, so should be good!

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Thursday, 17 July 2003 11:49 (twenty-two years ago)

So which member of the Anthill Mob am I then?!

― Eugene Speed (Eugene Speed), Thursday, 17 July 2003 11:51 (twenty-two years ago)

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