[LSC9901]

In another thread a statement was made about female racers and where are they in NASCAR. What is your opinion as to why we see so few females in NASCAR.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

In another thread a statement was made about female racers and where are they in NASCAR. What is your opinion as to why we see so few females in NASCAR.

Girls perfer driving slicker looking Formula I cars...

[SpaceCadet]

I think there are lots of reasons. Thirty five years ago when I was helping Dad change radiators and starters in his cars, it wasn't even suggested that a female race. It bordered on blasphemy. My mother suggested once that since I loved it so much I should get behind the wheel. My father threw a complete fit. Girls didn't race and "women's lib" wasn't in full swing yet, thus ending my racing career.

I think because there are so few females in racing, sponsers are much more cautious about jumping in with the money. It's a considerable risk. We all know how expensive it is to race, right down to go-karts. Women have not proven themselves yet. There are a few exceptions, but very few.

And, at the risk of totally torking off my fellow female race fans, the women I have seen race around here simply don't seem to have what it takes. Again there are exceptions. The one female currently racing at the local track has done ok. If she starts on the front line, she has been able to stay up front. But if she gets passed, or comes to lapped traffic, she falls way behind. She backs right off. If you put two young drivers head to head (and I mean young, they were 16 and 17 at the time, way too young to be in the division they drove in unless they're some kind of prodigy, which they aren't), one female, one male, the guy wins every time. We actually have had this scenario. And the girl had the better car, by far. I don't think she ever got out of last place all season. There was at one time a much older driver with lots more experience, but again, she pretty much just got in everybody's way.

I find there are many more girls starting out in karts or quarter midgets in lower divisions with much less horse power. They are learning, and in a few years I think you will see an influx of young women to the higher divisions. The numbers are growing like crazy so it's inevitable. I hate to say it, but I think the successful female driver will have to have a true killer instinct and be twice as good as her male counterparts. She will have to know a heck of a lot about her car and what makes it go, and how to fix it. No prima donna will have a chance. The good ol' boys network is hard to get into and she'll have to go above and beyond to earn their respect.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by SpaceCadet

I think there are lots of reasons. Thirty five years ago when I was helping Dad change radiators and starters in his cars, it wasn't even suggested that a female race. It bordered on blasphemy. My mother suggested once that since I loved it so much I should get behind the wheel. My father threw a complete fit. Girls didn't race and "women's lib" wasn't in full swing yet, thus ending my racing career.

I think because there are so few females in racing, sponsers are much more cautious about jumping in with the money. It's a considerable risk. We all know how expensive it is to race, right down to go-karts. Women have not proven themselves yet. There are a few exceptions, but very few.

And, at the risk of totally torking off my fellow female race fans, the women I have seen race around here simply don't seem to have what it takes. Again there are exceptions. The one female currently racing at the local track has done ok. If she starts on the front line, she has been able to stay up front. But if she gets passed, or comes to lapped traffic, she falls way behind. She backs right off. If you put two young drivers head to head (and I mean young, they were 16 and 17 at the time, way too young to be in the division they drove in unless they're some kind of prodigy, which they aren't), one female, one male, the guy wins every time. We actually have had this scenario. And the girl had the better car, by far. I don't think she ever got out of last place all season. There was at one time a much older driver with lots more experience, but again, she pretty much just got in everybody's way.

I find there are many more girls starting out in karts or quarter midgets in lower divisions with much less horse power. They are learning, and in a few years I think you will see an influx of young women to the higher divisions. The numbers are growing like crazy so it's inevitable. I hate to say it, but I think the successful female driver will have to have a true killer instinct and be twice as good as her male counterparts. She will have to know a heck of a lot about her car and what makes it go, and how to fix it. No prima donna will have a chance. The good ol' boys network is hard to get into and she'll have to go above and beyond to earn their respect.

I'll risk going out on a limb here and ask you if you think there is a difference physically ?? Yes I know the differences between male and female but in the physically fit and able department are males more dominant or do you still feel that it has to do with sponsors still pretty much unwilling to take the big step ?? I will agree that sponsors have a role to play in why females are not in higher numbers.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

Girls perfer driving slicker looking Formula I cars...

I heard once that females technically have an advantage in F1 or Indy cars because they tend to be lighter. Anyone know if there's any validity to that?

[Neopet_Girl]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

I'll risk going out on a limb here and ask you if you think there is a difference physically ?? Yes I know the differences between male and female but in the physically fit and able department are males more dominant or do you still feel that it has to do with sponsors still pretty much unwilling to take the big step ?? I will agree that sponsors have a role to play in why females are not in higher numbers.

Obviously you have not seen some of my friends getting on I-4 LOL. Females have a better attention span. That's why they can do repetitive jobs better. So I would think that if you are going to drive in an endless circle for hours at a time, they would be really good at it! LOL. That's what I think anyway.

[Racer Duck]

typically **and I said "typically" so don't throw the exceptions at me** females want security and are less prone to take risks. males on the other hand are more prone to take risks and are less interested in security.

that said, I think female drivers are common enough nowadays that a trend has been established: while they be equal or better than their male counterparts at earlier ages, they seem to loose the competitive drive as they mature.

thus two of the most important traits of a successful racer are competitiveness and willingness to take risks. and females usually lack one or both to the degree needed to be successful at racing. the exceptions are few and far between...

[SpaceCadet]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

I'll risk going out on a limb here and ask you if you think there is a difference physically ?? Yes I know the differences between male and female but in the physically fit and able department are males more dominant or do you still feel that it has to do with sponsors still pretty much unwilling to take the big step ?? I will agree that sponsors have a role to play in why females are not in higher numbers.

I'll go out on that skinny little limb with you. Yes, I feel the physical differences are a factor. I don't think that needs to BE a factor if a female driver is serious. Assuming all the equipment is fairly equal, a woman should be able to compete head to head with the men. I believe it will be someone who is familiar with the constant training of a true athlete. If a woman does not diligently work out and train to gain strength and stamina, she won't have a shot. I also think it will have to be someone who does not allow herself to be distracted by the non-racing world. She will have to live, breath and eat racing. No multi tasking. I know I'm applying some double standards here, but like I said before, she's going to have to work twice as hard and be twice as good. And part of that is overcoming the physical differences by staying focused at all times. I think when the right person comes along, she will be very smart and have a great deal of experience on small tracks and dirt as well. She will have proven herself in the truck series first, because I think Cup and Busch are merely truck wanna be's. If she can run with the bigger boys in the trucks, and run well, not just take up space, then she's ready for Busch and Cup. Then the learning curve starts all over again. I guess I've spent more time thinking about this than I realized! Jeez, that's kind of pathetic.

[SpaceCadet]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

I heard once that females technically have an advantage in F1 or Indy cars because they tend to be lighter. Anyone know if there's any validity to that?

I think that was just Robby Gordon shooting off his mouth. Danica is fairly small, but Fisher and Duno, while they aren't huge by any means, are not tiny little things, either. I'd lay money on them outweighing more than one male driver. I think it's an excuse for innept male drivers like Robby.

[SpaceCadet]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

typically **and I said "typically" so don't throw the exceptions at me** females want security and are less prone to take risks. males on the other hand are more prone to take risks and are less interested in security.

that said, I think female drivers are common enough nowadays that a trend has been established: while they be equal or better than their male counterparts at earlier ages, they seem to loose the competitive drive as they mature.

thus two of the most important traits of a successful racer are competitiveness and willingness to take risks. and females usually lack one or both to the degree needed to be successful at racing. the exceptions are few and far between...

Bingo, bingo, and bada bing bing bingo! Bet you thought I was going to jump all over you, but no way. Just waiting for someone else to say it first. In my opinion, you are right on the money. And from my perspective, the lack of willingness to take risks or being less competitive is not bad or good, it just IS. Vive la differance, or whatever those French guys say.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

typically **and I said "typically" so don't throw the exceptions at me** females want security and are less prone to take risks. males on the other hand are more prone to take risks and are less interested in security.

that said, I think female drivers are common enough nowadays that a trend has been established: while they be equal or better than their male counterparts at earlier ages, they seem to loose the competitive drive as they mature.

thus two of the most important traits of a successful racer are competitiveness and willingness to take risks. and females usually lack one or both to the degree needed to be successful at racing. the exceptions are few and far between...

RD that is a point well taken but add this into the equation. Not all men are race car drivers. There are many that want to be (Like myself) but do not have the qualifications. So while your assessment is probably correct I believe that a woman with the "wanna be" drive, can make the cut. I just feel that the ratio is closer than what many might think. Because of what you are saying it is most assuredly much more difficult for them to get in and back to my theory ... more difficult to find someone to back them.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

RD that is a point well taken but add this into the equation. Not all men are race car drivers. There are many that want to be (Like myself) but do not have the qualifications. So while your assessment is probably correct I believe that a woman with the "wanna be" drive, can make the cut. I just feel that the ratio is closer than what many might think. Because of what you are saying it is most assuredly much more difficult for them to get in and back to my theory ... more difficult to find someone to back them.

I got to go with LSC. The portion of the population is so small that it probably negates an overall generality. For example, boys are suppose to be better than girls at math in general...but when you get into an advance math class in graduate school, all bets are off, the girls there have an equal skill set to the guys...and at times they might even be more driven to excel.

Now, the overall pool to pick from might be smaller for the reason stated, thus less women might bubble up to the surface that have the right skill set to be good NASCAR drivers.

That aside, does not the sport depend somewhat on who you who etc? And if its a good old boy network of sort, would it not inhibit the females chances to come up the ranks (sponsership included in the network?). I mean if say, Oprah wanted to get into racing as opposed to a Letterman, then the chances of a female driver catching on with the team goes up, right?

Not to make over generalizations or politically sensitive statements, but isn't it somewhat the same as NFL coaches? If the majority of team ownership was not white, would oot the chances of black coaches in the NFL increase etc? Would not the same thinking apply in NASCAR? yes? no? maybe?

[vincesanity82]

I think as the years pass there will be more women trying it out. I think we also have to realize that a lot of women could care a less about racing or certain sports in general, I think if we mixed it up where you race 5 laps and then go shopping more women would do it..

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by vincesanity82

I think as the years pass there will be more women trying it out. I think we also have to realize that a lot of women could care a less about racing or certain sports in general, I think if we mixed it up where you race 5 laps and then go shopping more women would do it..

and I thought I was going out on a limb !!!!

[Racer Duck]

are we talking about female racers on average, or do we really mean achieving "Super Star" status? in the back of everyone's mind you're really trying to make the case for the next female Jeff Gordon or Mario Andretti or Michael Schumacher and whether it will or will not ever happen. not many male racers stack up against these 3, so with all their aforementioned encumbrances, why expect a female racer to do so?

I'm not saying there won't be a super star female racer, there's been plenty that almost made it on notoriety .. but none has come close to the having even a small amount of the success of these 3 gentlemen.

the current issue of Circle Track spotlights a 16 yo girl from North Carolina who has only been racing 2 years. she has consistently finished in the Top 5: finished 3rd in points in 2005 and 2nd in points in 2006. maybe she's the next big name female racer .. but maybe after she finishes high school she'll choose a different path.

there are females that excel in just about every other endeavor mankind (and womankind) has attempted, why not auto racing?