RE: Formula Woman
Friday 10th January 2003
Formula Woman
Is 'positive discrimination' needed in motorsport?
Discussion
There are already far too many half baked formula washing around the British Motorsport Calendar taking up valuable circuit space. 16 cars on the grid? If we had a grid that small we would hold a major enquiry. This is just a publicity stunt, as are most one make formulas. The reality of this debate is that very few women want to race cars, and those that do have acted and already race. I have competed in four single seater formulas and sidecar circuit racing, there have been women in all those types of competition and in all cases they are welcomed and treated well.
I sincerely hope women will continue to compete, but not via farces such as this.
I sincerely hope women will continue to compete, but not via farces such as this.
The RX8 is a great car - wonderful packaging (compact, light log CoG engine tucked well behind the front axle), stiff body (big central tunnel makes up for lack of door pillars), practical, fast. Anyone dismissing it as crap without reason is merely ignorant, racist or both.
As for the series, is that even legal to make it women only?
As for the series, is that even legal to make it women only?
They had a bit about this at the autosport live action arena. Page three girlie drives into the aena in an MX5 and is interviewed about it. Sounds complete bollocks. "From 2000 women the final contestants will be chosen based on personality, appearance, fitness, - oh and driving ability"
Sounds like a silly attempt at a mtorpsorts pop idol. Real motorsports fans gave thier opinion in the arena, as the compere shouts "Lets give it up for formula women everyone !!" - greeted by silence.
Sounds like a silly attempt at a mtorpsorts pop idol. Real motorsports fans gave thier opinion in the arena, as the compere shouts "Lets give it up for formula women everyone !!" - greeted by silence.
The RX8 is a great car - wonderful packaging (compact, light log CoG engine tucked well behind the front axle), stiff body (big central tunnel makes up for lack of door pillars), practical, fast. Anyone dismissing it as crap without reason is merely ignorant, racist or both.
Seriously, I think its crap (especially in light of its heritage), and I'm entitled to my opinion without some self righteous arse calling me ignorant.
The diabolical thing about this formula is that they force you to ring a premium number to get the application form. They were at what looked to be 2000 form downloads when my girlfriend got hers.
Please don't shoot me down I'm not trying to be sexist but...
Most boys are "into" cars from a young age so putting a Go Kart in front of them is likely to be recieved well. Most girls are'nt into cars when young.
If like me a person decides when they are 20 years old (when true character develops
) that they love cars and want to race it is too late unless you have oodles of cash laying about.
The money invested in formula woman would be better off invested into primary schools to encourage "Girls" to get into cars/karting etc.
At my local karting club there is one girl who attends out of 15 or so members. When we have public races there she is the only girl out of 48 entrants.
Most boys are "into" cars from a young age so putting a Go Kart in front of them is likely to be recieved well. Most girls are'nt into cars when young.
If like me a person decides when they are 20 years old (when true character develops
) that they love cars and want to race it is too late unless you have oodles of cash laying about. The money invested in formula woman would be better off invested into primary schools to encourage "Girls" to get into cars/karting etc.
At my local karting club there is one girl who attends out of 15 or so members. When we have public races there she is the only girl out of 48 entrants.
Loserkid,
Change your name then you will feel more optimistic!!
Actually it is not true that oodles of cash are required to go racing. A lot of people within the sport create that impression by talking about huge budgets, but they are required mainly if you want to run on an arrive and drive basis. We run single seaters on roughly £3K per year, but then comes the real problem for women.
We run that cheaply because we do all our own maintenance and make and mend as much as possible. Unfortunately very few women have been taught the art of motor maintenance and so find our approach less likely. However I have met many women over the years who have a capable helper in tow and manage to race, in some cases very successfully with our size of budget
You are right about formula women!!!
Change your name then you will feel more optimistic!!
Actually it is not true that oodles of cash are required to go racing. A lot of people within the sport create that impression by talking about huge budgets, but they are required mainly if you want to run on an arrive and drive basis. We run single seaters on roughly £3K per year, but then comes the real problem for women.
We run that cheaply because we do all our own maintenance and make and mend as much as possible. Unfortunately very few women have been taught the art of motor maintenance and so find our approach less likely. However I have met many women over the years who have a capable helper in tow and manage to race, in some cases very successfully with our size of budget
You are right about formula women!!!
So go on then: let's hear why it's so rubbish. I've always had a bit of a soft spot for Mazda rotaries, and I'm very dissappointed with the way they've tacked on the boot, but I thought they were going to bring out a turbocharged performance version at some point, which ought to be interesting.
DanH said:
The RX8 is a great car - wonderful packaging (compact, light log CoG engine tucked well behind the front axle), stiff body (big central tunnel makes up for lack of door pillars), practical, fast. Anyone dismissing it as crap without reason is merely ignorant, racist or both.
Seriously, I think its crap (especially in light of its heritage), and I'm entitled to my opinion without some self righteous arse calling me ignorant.
Bob Pearson said: Loserkid,
Change your name then you will feel more optimistic!! !!!
Oh but this way I'm never disappointed
Bob Pearson said:
Actually it is not true that oodles of cash are required to go racing. A lot of people within the sport create that impression by talking about huge budgets, but they are required mainly if you want to run on an arrive and drive basis. We run single seaters on roughly £3K per year, but then comes the real problem for women.
We run that cheaply because we do all our own maintenance and make and mend as much as possible. Unfortunately very few women have been taught the art of motor maintenance and so find our approach less likely. However I have met many women over the years who have a capable helper in tow and manage to race, in some cases very successfully with our size of budget
You are right about formula women!!!
Firstly - what where and how please!
Secondly - The point I'm trying to make (but unsuccessfully due to poor grammar/english etc) is that to be sucessful you "generally" have to start early. Very few girls are interested at a young age giving the boys a serious advantage.
I'm aware I can get involved in motorsport at the grand old age of 29 but I also know my chances of a season in BTCC are fairly slim! I have no problem with Formula Woman as such but perhaps then another called "Formula Lately realised he's a petrohead" (although the use of "He's" in there would make it sexist...
)Anyone who chooses to take up racing only for the desire to be successful at it is almost certain to end up dissappointed. If you consider the number of competition licences issued every year against the number of people who manage to make a living from driving race cars then the brutal truth is obvious.
I have seen many young girls and lads turn up over the years, propped up by a large family fund, I have never yet seen one progress to a proffessional status.
Anyone considering taking up racing has to think carefully about their motives. There can only be one good reason and that is for the love of the sport. There are many drivers, male and female , out year after year, throughly enjoying themselves lokkinh to achieve the most possible within their personal constraints. ( these include of course money)
This I am certain is the only way to consider taking up racing, anything different and you are doomed to about a year or so of dissappointment followed by retirement.
The guys you see on TV are the best of the rich boys and no mortal from a normal family will ever share a grid with them
The sport is littered with people dedicated to seperating the racer from his money and giving little or nothing in return. The only hope of avoiding these people is not to take any money into the sport, then you won't lose it.
I have seen many young girls and lads turn up over the years, propped up by a large family fund, I have never yet seen one progress to a proffessional status.
Anyone considering taking up racing has to think carefully about their motives. There can only be one good reason and that is for the love of the sport. There are many drivers, male and female , out year after year, throughly enjoying themselves lokkinh to achieve the most possible within their personal constraints. ( these include of course money)
This I am certain is the only way to consider taking up racing, anything different and you are doomed to about a year or so of dissappointment followed by retirement.
The guys you see on TV are the best of the rich boys and no mortal from a normal family will ever share a grid with them
The sport is littered with people dedicated to seperating the racer from his money and giving little or nothing in return. The only hope of avoiding these people is not to take any money into the sport, then you won't lose it.
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