Female participation in Motorsport
Discussion
Im not trying to start all the bitching again about FW but was wondering if anyone could help me with my dissertaion about 'female participation levels in motorsport'?
Wev had all the rants about FW (bit boring now) but why do people think there is a lack of women in the higher levels of Motorsport and what do you think could be a remedy to this situation?
Any female competitors or female race fans ect want to do an informal interview with me by email will be appreciated too. simonjoannou@hotmail.com
Cheers, Si
Wev had all the rants about FW (bit boring now) but why do people think there is a lack of women in the higher levels of Motorsport and what do you think could be a remedy to this situation?
Any female competitors or female race fans ect want to do an informal interview with me by email will be appreciated too. simonjoannou@hotmail.com
Cheers, Si
<<LexSport dons nomex suit>>
Cos they might break a nail!
But seriously, my girlfriend has become interested in cars and motorsport (she didn't really have much of a choice living with me
). The response she gets from anyone she speaks to about it, either male or female, is usually "But you're a girl".
I think there is a belief held by the general public that motor sport is not for women. As wrong as it may be, it seems to be the common feeling.
I suppose there may also be other issues such as the so called "glass ceiling" for women in business meaning as a rule women have less disposable income to throw at motorsport.
Cos they might break a nail!
But seriously, my girlfriend has become interested in cars and motorsport (she didn't really have much of a choice living with me
). The response she gets from anyone she speaks to about it, either male or female, is usually "But you're a girl". I think there is a belief held by the general public that motor sport is not for women. As wrong as it may be, it seems to be the common feeling.
I suppose there may also be other issues such as the so called "glass ceiling" for women in business meaning as a rule women have less disposable income to throw at motorsport.
LexSport said:
<<LexSport dons nomex suit>>
Cos they might break a nail!
But seriously, my girlfriend has become interested in cars and motorsport (she didn't really have much of a choice living with me
I think there is a belief held by the general public that motor sport is not for women. As wrong as it may be, it seems to be the common feeling.
I suppose there may also be other issues such as the so called "glass ceiling" for women in business meaning as a rule women have less disposable income to throw at motorsport.
You see I think the Glass Ceiling and not that many women in M'sport come from the same place. The attitude of your parents. Ask how many girls are given toy cars to play with? And then ask how many are given toy ponies. We get Action man, they get Barbie. In general males are bought up to be more competative, where as females are not. And it's that competition to be higher that generally mean that males get promoted above females. To use an Americanism "They just wanted it more". There are Women at the top of business, but there are less than men. Thw Women have got there because peoples ideas are changing, and they will reach top end M'Sport as well if we treat them the same as boys as soon as they are born. But do we want a lot of butch women walking around?
(Look at the top drag racers, i'm sure there are a few women there).
There are not enough women in motorsport at all levels so the ratio of women at the top in motorsport reflects this basic fact. I took part in a sprint event last Sunday and of the 50ish participants, only two were women. That about sums it up really.
Ironically, in the past there have been some very successful women participants in motor sport who have got to the very top in their day:
Kay Petre
Pat Moss
Ann Wisdom
Rosemary Smith
Michel Mouton
I think they were more likely to do well when even the professional levels of motorsport were still only a few notches above amateur levels. Nowadays, the commitment and sacrifices needed to succeed in professional motorsport mitigate against girls going all the way to the top, particularly if they want time out to have babies. And isn't that true for most women who want a career?
Ironically, in the past there have been some very successful women participants in motor sport who have got to the very top in their day:
Kay Petre
Pat Moss
Ann Wisdom
Rosemary Smith
Michel Mouton
I think they were more likely to do well when even the professional levels of motorsport were still only a few notches above amateur levels. Nowadays, the commitment and sacrifices needed to succeed in professional motorsport mitigate against girls going all the way to the top, particularly if they want time out to have babies. And isn't that true for most women who want a career?
eric mc said:
There are not enough women in motorsport at all levels so the ratio of women at the top in motorsport reflects this basic fact. I took part in a sprint event last Sunday and of the 50ish participants, only two were women. That about sums it up really.
Eric's pretty much summed it up. There hasn't been the pool of talent, because it isn't a 'girl's thing'. Similarly, there are next to no Asians or blacks, but:
- Since Narain Karthikayen, have you noticed how many F3 drivers are from South Asia?
- When (not if) Lewis Hamilton makes a decent effort in F1, there's a very good chance we'll see a good influx of black Briton's checking out the sport.
Generally (although there are always jerks) I haven't seen any racism or sexism (genuinely friendly banter excepted). Women who don't play the gender card get treated like one of the lads. In fact in the club series I've seen, they get treated rather well.
The problem is that it is very difficult to promote participation by what are the minority groups within the sport:
-Too heavy-handed (FW), and it's a gimmick.
- Play the feminine clebrity card (Amanda Stretton, Jodie Kidd) and there's always a suspicion hanging in the air, no matter how good they might be. Admit it, you chuckled when you heard AS's "all-girl" Le Mans venture had to be shelved because, err, she's pregnant.
- Play it too softly and you get no impact.
The only surefire solution is a flag bearer - someone who's good, and just happens to be black, white, female, etc. Lewis Hamilton I've mentioned, Susie Stoddard might be the girl to do it. But she needs to be seen to make it on her own merits (even if there's a helluva lot of secret assistance going on behind closed doors).
After all that , I'm actually one of those that believes F1 is now beyond a 'normal' woman. It is one of the most intensive sports for physical and mental strength, and all the similar sports are male-only enclaves. Show me a female grand prix winner, and I'll show you the Martina Navratilova of women drivers.
Rally, LM, F3000, CART & IRL (even a good 'ole girl in the Nextel Cup) are all realistic, but I think F1 just goes a step too far. But I'll be happy to be proved wrong.
Lyn St James was a front runner in Indycars, there is quite a bit on the
www.theraceforum.com
site. You need to look under the General setion for Women in motorsport.
regards
James
www.theraceforum.com
site. You need to look under the General setion for Women in motorsport.
regards
James
Cheers for the info everyone. Its a pretty obvious and foregone conclusion anyway but I wanted to get some opinions.
Heres one for you. Yes we know why there are a lack of women competeing and progressing, but what do you people rekon is a realistic remedy to this?
(Before we go off on the FW thing again, in theory yes it is a good idea, but I dont think that is the way to go in terms of female participants personally)?
Is there anyone who actually works in Motorsport or competes in a highish level that would contribute to this by answering a few questions by email at all please?
A woman would be ideal but any blokes too would help me by any input.
Regards,
Si
Heres one for you. Yes we know why there are a lack of women competeing and progressing, but what do you people rekon is a realistic remedy to this?
(Before we go off on the FW thing again, in theory yes it is a good idea, but I dont think that is the way to go in terms of female participants personally)?
Is there anyone who actually works in Motorsport or competes in a highish level that would contribute to this by answering a few questions by email at all please?
A woman would be ideal but any blokes too would help me by any input.
Regards,
Si
Well, as a starters you could do an internet search on the following:
sarah Fisher (IRl racer)
Susie Stoddart (great Formula Renault racer. Hopefully F3 next season)
Gillian Goldsmith (teaches people how to race at Thruxton, races her own Aston DB4 GT Zagato)
Vanina Ickx - races at Le mans, and other endurance events
There aren't many, but there are some very exciting female drivers out there and I hope they do well
sarah Fisher (IRl racer)
Susie Stoddart (great Formula Renault racer. Hopefully F3 next season)
Gillian Goldsmith (teaches people how to race at Thruxton, races her own Aston DB4 GT Zagato)
Vanina Ickx - races at Le mans, and other endurance events
There aren't many, but there are some very exciting female drivers out there and I hope they do well
As was said earlier - it's to do with conditioning of children and setting of aspirations at an early age. To get more girls interested in motor sport, you would have to start influencing them as toddlers. It ain't going to happen, in my opinion. As I said previously, there was more liklehood of girls being interested in things technical in previous eras - particularly pre-World War 2. Not only were there lots of lady racing drivers then, but there were also lots of highly aclaimed lady fliers too (Amy Johnson, Jean Batten, Amelia Earhart).
kevinday said:
Eric, you forgot the two women who made it to F1 in recent years, Deirdre Wilson and umm, whassername
Edited to add: Davina Galica I think
>> Edited by kevinday on Wednesday 12th May 21:19
Thought you were going to say Giovani Amati
Don't forget Lilian Bryner (current top GT racer/winner)
woody said:
Don't forget Milka Duno 
No wonder Justin Wilson was so happy to be driving at Sebring this year
>> Edited by FourWheelDrift on Thursday 13th May 13:55
Simon.J said:
Yeah Chris, only just joined PH really, you know being a student I have all the hours in the world to waste time on the net lol!
Hows your club 100 season going so far?
Si
A bit up and down - Only just into a proper season of the rookies. Finished 13th at Rye and then completley messed up at Clay, I knackered my back in practice and my mate got black flagged and had a couple of offs! (bu then again doing a double header with just 2 people probably wasn't a good idea!) finished 21st and 18th. Hoping for a better result at Clay on saturday.
Wasting time on the net - that all has to stop when you start workin
(well maybe not as I should be working now... nah PH is more interesting than work!) Chris (Team Tec Racing)
there was an interview with a young female brazilian driver in last weeks observer sport monthly, it was quite interesting but had nothing ground breaking in terms of content. might be a useful research piece though. email me your address and i will send you the article if you are interested...
ericmc hit the proverbial nail on the head, there are few women in motorsport at all, let alone F1. You cannot expect to see women only at the highest echlons of any sport if there are none at the lower levels.
Further to that the number of women who actually have a strong desire to compete in motorsport is less than men. Put simply I think its down to the fact that more men are interested in racing cars than women.
ericmc hit the proverbial nail on the head, there are few women in motorsport at all, let alone F1. You cannot expect to see women only at the highest echlons of any sport if there are none at the lower levels.
Further to that the number of women who actually have a strong desire to compete in motorsport is less than men. Put simply I think its down to the fact that more men are interested in racing cars than women.
Susanne Callin ( the sixth sexiest woman in Sweden, no less!)
Liv Berstadt,
Monica Oberg,
Anita Makela,
Oyver Jacobson,
Shirley Muldowney,
Cristen Powell,
Angelle Savoie,
Paula Marshall,
Paula Atkins,
Sarah Day,
Sarah Jane Head (get well soon, Scary)
etc.,
etc.,
etc.,
Come Drag Racing, the worlds most liberated motorsport!!
>> Edited by Jon C on Thursday 13th May 21:37
Liv Berstadt,
Monica Oberg,
Anita Makela,
Oyver Jacobson,
Shirley Muldowney,
Cristen Powell,
Angelle Savoie,
Paula Marshall,
Paula Atkins,
Sarah Day,
Sarah Jane Head (get well soon, Scary)
etc.,
etc.,
etc.,
Come Drag Racing, the worlds most liberated motorsport!!
>> Edited by Jon C on Thursday 13th May 21:37
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