Formula Woman 16 in Autosport

Formula Woman 16 in Autosport

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jamesc

Original Poster:

2,820 posts

290 months

Thursday 10th June 2004
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Well! I think Mrs Button will have a few things to say here! On page 93 in today's Autosport (June 10 2004), the final 16 have been announched. Once again I stait they have not been chosen on merit but how good they are on TV! Those of you who attend Bookatrack days might know Lauren Blighton! There is a lot more gossip and talk to come out of this. Well it is time to proved right.

James

jamesc

Original Poster:

2,820 posts

290 months

Saturday 12th June 2004
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1 12 Natasha FIRMAN Mazda RX8 26:33.316 12 72.98 2:10.138
2 10 Margo GARDNER Mazda RX8 26:51.953 12 18.637 72.14 2:12.439
3 13 Lauren BLIGHTON Mazda RX8 26:52.381 12 19.065 72.12 2:12.286
4 1 Emma HAYLES Mazda RX8 26:52.864 12 19.548 72.10 2:12.827
5 9 Lorraine PINNER Mazda RX8 27:04.108 12 30.792 71.60 2:14.162
6 7 Julette THURSTON Mazda RX8 27:13.434 12 40.118 71.19 2:13.778
7 4 Bev TYLER Mazda RX8 27:14.067 12 40.751 71.16 2:13.979
8 11 Max THOMPSON Mazda RX8 27:37.186 12 1:03.870 70.17 2:15.430
9 15 Sarah BENNET BAGGS Mazda RX8 27:37.721 12 1:04.405 70.15 2:15.752
10 6 Joanna LINTON Mazda RX8 27:39.462 12 1:06.146 70.08 2:15.569
11 2 Nicola ROBISON Mazda RX8 27:42.191 12 1:08.875 69.96 2:15.678
12 14 Pippa COW Mazda RX8 27:54.809 12 1:21.493 69.43 2:15.222
13 8 Judith LYONS Mazda RX8 28:19.699 12 1:46.383 68.42 2:18.922
14 5 Catherine GARD Mazda RX8 28:21.604 12 1:48.288 68.34 2:18.880
15 16 Victoria HARDY Mazda RX8 26:40.231 11 1 LAP 66.61 2:21.560
Not Classified
3 Amy HANDFORD Mazda RX8 17:38.395 7 D.N.F. 64.09 2:19.847

Fastest Lap
12 Natasha FIRMAN Mazda RX8 2:10.138 2 119.84kph 74.46

jamesc

Original Poster:

2,820 posts

290 months

Sunday 13th June 2004
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The first two rounds of the Privilege Insurance Formula Woman Championship, the UK’s first ever all-women motor racing series, took place at a sunny Oulton Park in Cheshire today. Both rounds were keenly fought from start to finish, with the 16 amateur racers demonstrating impressive mastery of their Mazda RX-8 sports coupés as they battled for the initial championship points.

Round One
Qualifying for the first round was dominated by Natasha Firman in the Halfords-sponsored Mazda RX-8, securing pole with a blistering lap time of 2.09 minutes – almost three seconds clear of Emma Hayles. On the second row was Lauren Blighton in third, with Margo Gardner fourth.

The field of gleaming silver Mazda RX-8s closed up in a frantic dash away from the line, but Firman held her nerve and her lead into the first corner. Sister to former Jordan F1 driver Ralph, 27-year-old Firman quickly set about consolidating her lead and built a 10 second cushion after just four laps. She consistently showed her rivals the quickest way round, finding the perfect line through Oulton’s undulating high-speed bends to claim the fastest lap.

While Firman raced into the distance, Hayles, Blighton and Gardner engaged in a thrilling to-and-fro battle for second, third and fourth. Blighton started her race by moving up behind Firman after an excellent sprint away from the line, and Gardner moved up into third at the expense of Hayles by lap 3. Four laps later, Gardner out-braked Blighton into the Knickerbrook corner to take a well-earned second.

After a truly consummate drive, Firman took the chequered flag in this first race of the inaugural Privilege Insurance Formula Woman Championship. Seemingly in a class of her own, she crossed the finish line an awesome 18.6 seconds clear of Gardner, who was delighted to improve on her qualifying position. A composed drive from Blighton successfully kept Hayles at bay right up to the flag, giving her the final podium place.

After a tense opening round, all of the girls were relieved to get a thrilling first race safely under their belts.

Round Two
Clearly fired up by a thrilling opening battle, Round 2 in the afternoon proved even more eventful, with the middle order positions seeming to change with each passing lap. The results from the first race dictated the starting order in the second, and Firman once again made a sensational start from pole, putting clear air between her Mazda RX-8 and that of her rivals after just a few laps.

Gardner failed to make the most of her second place on the grid and quickly fell back to fourth, with Hayles surging into second and Blighton claiming third. This battle for second and third once again offered plenty for spectators to marvel at, the drivers fully committed in every corner but with Hayles ultimately holding station behind Firman.

By lap six Margo Gardner briefly rediscovered her Race 1 form and took third from Blighton. A lap later and Gardner worked her way back up to second, pushing Hayles into third. On lap 8 of 11, Gardner pushed too hard into Druids corner and spun, dropping down to seventh. Another error a few laps later saw her viewing the race once again through her side window, but she recovered well to finish seventh.

In the early stages, Lorraine Pinner and Juliette Thurston engaged in their own struggle for fifth, with rarely more than half a second to separate them. Putting in a sensational few laps Pinner then surged away from Thurston and surprised Blighton with a stunning inside move that brought her ever closer to a podium finish. With Gardner dropping out of contention, Hayles was left to take second; Pinner and Blighton hot on her heals taking third and fourth, respectively.

Winner of both races, Natasha Firman was delighted with her sensational start to the Championship. “It’s been absolutely unbelievable,” she said. “In the first race the car felt really good and I managed to put four or five rally quick laps together while a battle developed behind me. In the second race there was much more pressure and I had to really concentrate to pull away. I hear Knockhill is a tricky circuit and I’m sure Margo [Gardner] will be the one to reckon with once again in the next round, especially as it’s on her home turf.”

Without having to battle her rivals for circuit position, Firman achieved fastest lap in both races, giving her an extra two points to add to her impressive Oulton Park points tally.

Impressive beginnings
Graeme Glew, Founder of Formula Woman, commented, “I was delighted to see that all the girls were ready and willing to fight for every position throughout the two races. There was plenty of aggression out on the circuit, but the spectators here at Oulton also got to see plenty of genuine driver talent. Every one of the competitors has secured a place on the Formula Woman grid based on driver merit, and that really shone through today. Several of them clearly have the aptitude and the motivation to mix it with the best of their professional male counterparts.”

The 16 girls, plus 2 reserves, had to be complete novices to enter the Formula Woman competition, participating in a gruelling, year-long selection process that whittled 10,000 hopeful applicants down to the final entries. Aside from being aspiring race drivers, the girls come from all walks of life and the Championship contenders include a jet fighter pilot, an accountant, a police officer and several students. All have one goal – to hold up the trophy on July 25 at Brands Hatch and be crowned the Privilege Insurance Formula Woman Champion 2004.

delalio

62 posts

245 months

Sunday 13th June 2004
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How did Natashas` fastest lap time compare to others of the various championship catagories at Oulton today?

MaZBagZ

16 posts

244 months

Sunday 13th June 2004
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Sincere thanks to James for a thorough and unbiased report on the event.....

However, I don't need to be unbiased, I'm DISGUSTED with the antics of the 'Formula Woman' organisation!

These 'pussies', with more than TWICE the power, NEARLY managed to equal the average speed of the Mini's in previous races!

The Mazdas wallowed around the circuit on springs and suspenders clearly set-up for soft and gentle road use - struggling around bends at grotesque angles.

You would think that their straight-line speed would more than make up for this ill-considered shortfall..... you would think.

You'd be wrong.

I imagined pedestrian crossings being spaced out around the circuit, with obligatory stops for chickens crossing. The chickens were in the cars, and I suppose their garages.

It's IMPOSSIBLE to believe that this sad and sorry bunch are the BEST of 10,000 applicants.

Conclusions stemming from this, however, are not palatable;

Was the judging system fair and reasonable? How could it have been?

Was training given properly assimulated? Clearly not.

Do these ladies have any potential? In public relations, perhaps, but as Racing Drivers..... come on, get real!

Somewhere out there are 9,984 applicants who, today, must be wondering if they'd mis-read the qualifying requirements.

Shouldn't they have included a Daddy with 'contacts'?
Karina (Pole Position FW member)

KJR

795 posts

271 months

Sunday 13th June 2004
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Cannot comment on anyone else but, if she is who I think she is, can assure you that Max Thompson does not come into the "Daddy with 'contacts'" catagory.

Her family lives two doors down from my parents.

Kenneth.

MaZBagZ

16 posts

244 months

Sunday 13th June 2004
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Rafe-the-Racer



Joined: 12 Jun 2004
Posts: 1
Location: Epsom
Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 12:31 pm Post subject: Oulton Park Results and opinions

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well, well, well - anybody recal who said, "I don't agree with what you say, but I'll defend with my life your right to say it"?

Obviously not a heart-felt emotion shared by the organisers of THIS forum!

....but if you want to know THE TRUTH www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=105129&f=42&h=0

Rafe

There is nothing offensive (or even 'hatefull'), in this posting.
_________________
"He's on the grass, no, he's back on the track!"

MaZBagZ

16 posts

244 months

Sunday 13th June 2004
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You might like to check with the organisers why they are stifling free speech, and are so afraid of the truth that they have BANNED me (previous aliases), and have REMOVED ALL previous records regarding Oulton Park.

Don't threaten me, my service provider is WELL AWARE that I have done NOTHING wrong!

chomper

1 posts

246 months

Sunday 13th June 2004
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Message from Formula Woman Promoter - Graeme Glew



In response to the slanderous accusations and opinions that are appearing on our forum and other motorsport forums, regarding Formula Woman's debut at Oulton Park, I personally would like to make the following statement;



" In my 35 years in motorsport, my most successful and memorable occassion will be the 12th June 2004 at Oulton Park when 16 novice girls selected from over 10,000 applicants took to the track and raced as if they had being doing this as long as I have. The teething problems one would expect at the first race were minimal and the praise received from officials, sponsors, journalists and the general public present at the event were all very much appreciated, not just by me but by all my team who have worked tirelessly for the last two years to bring this project to fruition.



Unfortunately there are one or two envious people who, for whatever reason, do not believe in the Formula Woman concept, and one person in particular, who has attempted to disrupt Formula Woman. This person is already being investigated by The CID, and his recent comments are only useful to providing the police with further evidence.



Yesterday history was made, Formula Woman was launched, both races were a huge success and Formula Woman is here to stay."



Graeme Glew - Promoter - Formula Woman.



ends 13/6/04

Andy Mac

73,668 posts

261 months

Sunday 13th June 2004
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Lauren, who is thuird in the championship has a mk MR2 supercharger, and she goes round circuits in that think like a bat out of hell!

MaZBagZ

16 posts

244 months

Sunday 13th June 2004
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UP-DFATE SO FAR..... 13TH jUNE 2004 15.00pm



forumadmin
Site Admin


Joined: 27 Oct 2003
Posts: 24

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 1:18 pm Post subject: Message from Formula Woman Promoter - Graeme Glew

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In response to the slanderous accusations and opinions that are appearing on our forum and other motorsport forums, regarding Formula Woman's debut at Oulton Park, I personally would like to make the following statement;

" In my 35 years in motorsport, my most successful and memorable occassion will be the 12th June 2004 at Oulton Park when 16 novice girls selected from over 10,000 applicants took to the track and raced as if they had being doing this as long as I have. The teething problems one would expect at the first race were minimal and the praise received from officials, sponsors, journalists and the general public present at the event were all very much appreciated, not just by me but by all my team who have worked tirelessly for the last two years to bring this project to fruition.

Unfortunately there are one or two envious people who, for whatever reason, do not believe in the Formula Woman concept, and one person in particular, who has attempted to disrupt Formula Woman. This person is already being investigated by The CID, and his recent comments are only useful to providing the police with further evidence.

Yesterday history was made, Formula Woman was launched, both races were a huge success and Formula Woman is here to stay."

Graeme Glew - Promoter - Formula Woman.

ends 13/6/04

Andy Mac

73,668 posts

261 months

Sunday 13th June 2004
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Why the hostility?

jamesc

Original Poster:

2,820 posts

290 months

Sunday 13th June 2004
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Hi Mazbagz,

Well done for standing up to Glew! I tried to send you a mail but it failed. Please e-mail me at tuscan28@aol.com and I can give you some info to help you.

By the way the bags look really good; perhaps you should make some TVR ones!

regards

James

Rafe-the-Racer

4 posts

244 months

Sunday 13th June 2004
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- or perhaps I should say 'Rafe in the costody of the CID' Hahahahahahahah!

As you can see, the hostility has become somewhat gaseous, bubbling and frothing into a tantrum, I should think.

I don't like people who are prepared to exploit 15 innocents for the benefit of one pre-determined 'winner', whilst taking the 'michael' out of the public in a sham exhibition of mock women's sport.

In my opinion, the methods and mechanisms you've used to get 'Formula Woman' going have been quite unnecessary. I feel that had you been straight, it would have worked MUCH better, and you would have retained a modicum of credibility.

As it is, what racing enthusiast could regard yesterday's farce as anything but a joke?

Graeme, you have shown your TRUE colours, bluster away to your heart's content, threaten till you are (even more), blue in the face, you CANNOT stop the truth, which by now (despite you deleting an unknown volume of posting with which you don't agree), is, as we speak, winging its way around the world to sponsors, newspaper, television presenters, Automobile Corporates, etc.etc.etc.

They say, "You are what you eat". Had any good humble pie lately?

Rafe

Andy Mac

73,668 posts

261 months

Sunday 13th June 2004
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i like women... they have breasts.....

jamesc

Original Poster:

2,820 posts

290 months

Sunday 13th June 2004
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There is worse to come as the 16 girls are being exploited. Everything I have said about this competition has turned out to be true. I bet Mrs Button will have a few things to say about this as will my old friend Stiggy!

The truth is now out and the women are now turning on Mr Glew.

Rafe-the-Racer

4 posts

244 months

Sunday 13th June 2004
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Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 2:01 pm Post subject:
Graeme

I think what you have done by removing all the posts of the last few days is disgraceful. Are we not allowed to have our opinions now? We have paid money to join this club. The more you bar us from writing what we genuinely feel, the more strange and shadowy this whole organisation becomes.

I still think the way club members have been treated is terrible. If this post is also removed, I will be wanting to know why.

We were promised exclusive information on this forum and elsewhere within the Club pages. And where do we find it? Yep, on the home page, where anyone can access it. It would have been nice to have had the privilege of having some of the exclusitivity we paid for!

Jane

Back to top
Site Admin
Joined: 27 Oct 2003
Posts: 26

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 2:43 pm Post subject:
Hi Jane
The topics removed weren’t removed to stop club members having their say – If you look back through the old posts you’ll see we’ve never done that.
We do appreciate that both negative
and positive feedback
is essential for a balanced Forum.

The topics were removed because the majority of the posts within them were put up by a non club member. We are now taking steps to remove this problem.
I hope this helps explain
Kind regards
Graeme


Rafe-the-Racer

4 posts

244 months

Sunday 13th June 2004
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The above FW postings - were all
placed by a 'CLUB MEMBER'

Graeme

delalio

62 posts

245 months

Sunday 13th June 2004
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Hey Andy Mac, theres alot more reasons for liking women other than because theyve got breast... maybe like Graeme your looking at the wrong assets

PetrolTed

34,443 posts

309 months

Sunday 13th June 2004
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Andy
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