[Racer Duck]

thanks for the driver's point of view, harvick29. I wish I could speak from that point of view, but, alas, I'm just a mechanic.

you didn't say it, but inferred it: the transfer from tight to loose happens very quickly and is caused by the car going from deceleration to acceleration (off the gas to on the gas) and the associated weight transfers.

I hadn't ever thought about the "longest straightaway" aspect of handling trade-offs. Good Point!

[Bette]

If you have checked out the Ultimate Sports Star forum, you can see we have had a discussion on Danica Patrick. I dont know anything about racing, but even I had heard of her. They say she is good but she cant seem to win in the men's competition. Feminists can scream all they want but women cant compete against men in most sports. We dont have the body strength and stamina.
So my question is, what qualities does a race driver need to have to be successful? Why cant women compete more successfully in racing?
I am asking about both physical and mental qualities.

[simple simon]

well Stamina is a big part of racing Bette ........ driving 500 miles takes alot out of you

and personally, i think it is much too early to tell just how well women do at top level racing ........ there just havent been enough of them given the chance imo

[LSC9901]

As much as many of us old timers complain about how NASCAR has veered far from its roots, it is still obvious that in some ways it is still a good ole boys network. I disagree about the stamina issue to a large degree. There are many women that run in a marathon or iron man triathlons. There are plenty of women that do hard physical labor every day. Because I believe that the good ole boy syndrome still exists, it'll still be an uphill battle for qualified women to break into NASCAR in any numbers. A few have run a race here and there but the right woman needs to get matched up with a team that has what it takes along with a sponsor that will look beyond the gender of the driver. Then and only then will women have at the very least, a chance.

I'm no expert ...

[Racer Duck]

first let me make sure we're talking about being a "successful" race car driver, not just a race car driver.

then let me say "I'm no expert". these are my thoughts.

though men and women have different physical characteristics, with strength and stamina falling on the men's side, it doesn't take physical strength to pilot a race car these days .. maybe in the pre-power steering past, but not today. However, there is tremedous mental stress as well as heat and noise that wears the body down during a race, not to mention the requirement to sit in one place, not being allowed to move much more than hands and feet that stiffens the joints to the point of pain. men seem to be able to get thru that easier than women.

then there's the mental/psychological side of the equation. in order to be a good race car driver, a person must be a good communicator (able to explain in a few words what's happening so the crew can be prepared to remedy the situation on the next pit stop) and a risk taker (without the ability to put yourself in harms way in order to gain a position, you'll never be a successful race car driver.) Communication is a skill most women possess, but very few are excellent in communicating technical information to a male counterpart (this is an absolute requirement in the top levels of racing!) then, very few will even consider taking multiple risks that could cause harm to themselves.

when you finally find a woman or two who have the skills and are willing to seemingly "do what it takes" to be successful on the track, they don't seem to be able to break thru completely. Men have the ability to narrowly and completely focus on an objective .. I don't think the woman's brain is wired that way. maybe the problem is that women in general don't possess that "drive" to reach the top "no matter what", i.e., sell out to success. maybe the problem is that the time factor for a race is more than women can devote to success, i.e., if the races were shorter they might be able to be more successful (evidence female success in the world of drag racing .. they seem to have no problem with the speeds or the danger.)

what ever it is that limits women's success in the world of auto racing, I believe it's inside the woman's brain and is not a physical limitation.

[BringBackWilkesboro]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

it doesn't take physical strength to pilot a race car these days

Certainly not. Just look at Dale Jr at Chicago where practically the only way he could turn the car without power steering was to ride the wall.

It used to be that if you weren't worn out after a race, you didn't do something right. Now it's reversed. If you ARE worn out, you didn't do something right.

going even further, Cale and Richard used to hate the hell out of bristol cause it was so darn tough. Petty even used to have relief drivers in mind cause it took so much out of him. Now guys love the place.

[I Flip For Carl]

Okay..I have a question...they say that when the driver's are qualifying that they hold their breath. Is this true and if so why do they do this ?

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by I Flip For Carl

Okay..I have a question...they say that when the driver's are qualifying that they hold their breath. Is this true and if so why do they do this ?

I think it's more a figure of speech that actual breath holding. if you think about it, holding your breath around Talladega for a couple laps might lead to unconsciousness (which some drivers are accused of anyway.)

but if you think about it, a natural reaction for most anyone is to hold their breath (for a short time) when trying to accomplish something critical....

[lilsexy08]

Originally Posted by I Flip For Carl

Okay..I have a question...they say that when the driver's are qualifying that they hold their breath. Is this true and if so why do they do this ?

That is funny! LOL! Sorry if you were serious!

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by lilsexy08

That is funny! LOL! Sorry if you were serious!

of course he was serious. if I didn't believe that I would have given the opposite answer: "Because they can."

[lilsexy08]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

of course he was serious. if I didn't believe that I would have given the opposite answer: "Because they can."

I couldn't resist! LOL!

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

I think it's more a figure of speech that actual breath holding. if you think about it, holding your breath around Talladega for a couple laps might lead to unconsciousness (which some drivers are accused of anyway.)

but if you think about it, a natural reaction for most anyone is to hold their breath (for a short time) when trying to accomplish something critical....

In all honesty I believe that people hold their breath for the same reason some will turn down the radio when looking at or for road signs. They feel they can concentrate more.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by lilsexy08

I couldn't resist! LOL!

I know...

Originally Posted by LSC9901

In all honesty I believe that people hold their breath for the same reason some will turn down the radio when looking at or for road signs. They feel they can concentrate more.

In my case I turn it down so I can see better...

"see the air"

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Bette

If you have checked out the Ultimate Sports Star forum, you can see we have had a discussion on Danica Patrick. I dont know anything about racing, but even I had heard of her. They say she is good but she cant seem to win in the men's competition. Feminists can scream all they want but women cant compete against men in most sports. We dont have the body strength and stamina.
So my question is, what qualities does a race driver need to have to be successful? Why cant women compete more successfully in racing?
I am asking about both physical and mental qualities.

Bette, women can compete with men in racing and win. Probably not in the long 400 mile Cup races, but there are females winning on short tracks all over the country.

At least two females have won many trophies in drag racing (Shirley "The Dragon Lady" Shehan and Shirly "Cha-Cha" Muldowney). Ashley Force is a weekly threat to win in IHRA Funny cars.

NASCAR has had lots of females in its history. Sara Christian and Louis Smith (who are remembered only by myself, in all likelihood), Janet Guthrie, Patty Moise, Shawna Robinson, among others. They don't succeed because (in my personal opinion) because (a) they don't get the equipment, (b) they haven't had the experience in racing long stock car races, and (c) they just don't get the acceptance males inherently get. Right or wrong, this is just the way the world works and I, for one, can't change it. (I can never remember being "accepted" at either a baby shower or a Tupperware party, so I guess it all kind of works out?)

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Bette, women can compete with men in racing and win. Probably not in the long 400 mile Cup races, but there are females winning on short tracks all over the country.

At least two females have won many trophies in drag racing (Shirley "The Dragon Lady" Shehan and Shirly "Cha-Cha" Muldowney). Ashley Force is a weekly threat to win in IHRA Funny cars.

NASCAR has had lots of females in its history. Sara Christian and Louis Smith (who are remembered only by myself, in all likelihood), Janet Guthrie, Patty Moise, Shawna Robinson, among others. They don't succeed because (in my personal opinion) because (a) they don't get the equipment, (b) they haven't had the experience in racing long stock car races, and (c) they just don't get the acceptance males inherently get. Right or wrong, this is just the way the world works and I, for one, can't change it. (I can never remember being "accepted" at either a baby shower or a Tupperware party, so I guess it all kind of works out?)

my ex was into "Home Interiors" in addition to plastic bowls and dishes...

now I'm gonna be gracious: I think the ladies had all those showers/parties so us guys wouldn't have to beg to spend some time with the guys, but they would never admit it.