| Author | Message | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Senior Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 5618 Registered: 8-2002 |
i fully expect whichever instructor that sees me to defiantly wonder if i've raced with Schumacher most of my adult life, so LOL, i guess open-wheeled racing would be it... Oh, and i don't intend to "track" anything... i fully expect sponsors to fully endorse my Formula 1 career on circuits...  Me, big-headed...? Noooooooo...! | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 2466 Registered: 1-2002 |
DES, I must admit that I don't race. Questions about racing are probably better answered by Jon Kofod or Matt Squidracing or some of the other racers here....including Nika. As for instruction: my belief is that you would not do badly with any of the major schools. It all kind of depends on what sort of car you see yourself tracking in the future. By that, I mean that Barber or Derek Daly or Jim Russel schools mostly focus on open wheel cars, which behave very differently on track that street or GT closed-wheel cars. Other schools like Bondurant, Panoz, Justin Bell, etc. focus on closed wheel cars. All of them will, IMO, give you good fundamentals of vehicle dynamics, weight transfer concepts, car control basics, and so forth. And they all employ active racers as instructors. You can''t go wrong with any of them. You just need to decide in what sort of cars you want to learn! That said: I also believe that it is IMPERITAVE that, after this schooling, you get some practice. By that I mean sign up for some HPDE's in your area. It doesn't matter that you don't currently drive a "sports" car. Take what you've brought & begin practicing what youhave learned, and gain the perspective of as many instructors as you can. Um, Nika...can I have a sammich, too? Please?? | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Senior Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 5617 Registered: 8-2002 |
LMAO, Nika, that's too funny... ...after Walmart, can you stop by the deli, though...? i want a sandwich. Dave, LOL - i'm so strapped for play money and just continue to make future plans; how does the middle-to-late next year sound...? End of third quarter, maybe...? Acually - maybe you're the person to ask... After much self-debate and discussion, it's imperative that i go to Skip Barber... Considering finances and other contingencies, i'm planning on late first/early second quarter next year... As an instructor, can you make any suggestions...? i value your (non-political ) opinion, especially when it comes to something you obviously know about - racing. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks... Nika, where's my sandwich...? | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 2464 Registered: 1-2002 |
DES, no editing needed. These folks are all really good people, and really good drivers. And they love giving rides. Hint, though: don't eat burritos for lunch | ||
| Racer Nika (Racernika)
New member Username: Racernika Post Number: 18 Registered: 7-2003 |
geeeeeeeeeeeez Ernie... how can a girl get a date with 100 big FC brothers!!!??? ANYWAY......here's my new race car....I think it is appropriate. I knew you would like it Ernie  you guys know I am KIDDING about the date stuff.....right? | ||
| "The Don" (The_don)
Senior Member Username: The_don Post Number: 6265 Registered: 8-2002 |
Danica........ahh | ||
| Ernie (Ernie)
Member Username: Ernie Post Number: 770 Registered: 11-2001 |
Ooooh peanutbutter and jelly sounds good,..... uh hold on a second..........let me think about it first. Thinking, thinking.........thinking. Well I would says sure..., but,... with the way the guys talk about you, I'm afraid they might bombard me like a bunch of seagulls attacking an open bag of chips left on a blanket at the beach. Hahahaaa. So I guess I'll have to pass on that offer. But thanks anyhow. | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Senior Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 5527 Registered: 8-2002 |
Oh, and Nika...?
...i could be wrong, but i think Dave is 'horn'y enough. Sigh... Sorry, folks, i couldn't let that one go. Please forgive me. | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Senior Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 5526 Registered: 8-2002 |
LMAO, Dave - you have time to edit your post, 'cause, dude - i might just take you up on that one day...! | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 2462 Registered: 1-2002 |
Nika....mmmmm...grrrowl! You go, grrl!!! My birthday is next month--better get cracking! DES, very nicely said. And if you ever come to Texas, I would be pleased to introduce you to Mandy, Becky, Trixie (her real name...), Sonia, Dana, and several other Ladies O' The Track, any of whom would gladly take you on a skid-mark-creating (and I'm NOT talking abouyt those made by tires...) ride past all the guys in their way!! | ||
| Dr. Ken Lee (Kenster888)
Junior Member Username: Kenster888 Post Number: 202 Registered: 4-2003 |
DES, you should start something... If I talk to Nika (or any other babe), my wife will turn me into the 'after' fish picture real quick........ I better stick to fishing. | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Senior Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 5524 Registered: 8-2002 |
Doc... As gorgeous as she is in that picture, you should have a conversation with her, some time; she's just as beautiful on the inside... i'm proud and lucky to know her... ...ok, ok, the whole "racer chick" thing doesn't hurt, either, but really, she's an awesome person. | ||
| Dr. Ken Lee (Kenster888)
Junior Member Username: Kenster888 Post Number: 201 Registered: 4-2003 |
Sorry Martin...ok, back to the babes! [edited by me] And DES, I only catch the fish. I don't touch them, kill them, or eat them. | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Senior Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 5575 Registered: 5-2001 |
One minute we are talking babes and the next we have beheaded fish!  | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Senior Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 5523 Registered: 8-2002 |
LOL, Doc, i meant that it's good to be out there right before or after it rains; i wouldn't advise anyone to go out in the water with a fishing pole while lightening threatens to strike... Nice pictures, i bet i know what you had for dinner that night... Lures are out of my league; i don't know what's what... | ||
| Dr. Ken Lee (Kenster888)
Junior Member Username: Kenster888 Post Number: 200 Registered: 4-2003 |
DES, a little light rain is ok, but not in a thunder storm with a fishing pole. It's ok to fry the fish but not the fisherman We go to the local reservoirs (there are 3 around here) and sometimes go to the shore. We don't fish for anything type in particular, we get what we can. BTW the best lure is a KASTMASTER 7 oz. Here is last week's results: Before:  After:  | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Senior Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 5522 Registered: 8-2002 |
Hey, Doc - although i'm sure you know - rain is awesome for fishing...! You should catch a ton of fish... What type of fishing do you do...? Ocean...? Freshwater...? Pike, Bass, etc... i used to fish when i was younger... Never had the patience for it then, but i wonder about now... it's one of those relaxing pastimes that has an acquired taste... | ||
| Dan Gordon (Ferruccio)
New member Username: Ferruccio Post Number: 50 Registered: 2-2003 |
nika will you talk to my girlfriend about loving cars more. She just doesn't understand. | ||
| Dr. Ken Lee (Kenster888)
Junior Member Username: Kenster888 Post Number: 199 Registered: 4-2003 |
Nika, informal survey (using the pictures from your website) from guys in my department all gave you a thumbs up! I personally give you two thumbs up! A very respectable 9.6 on the babemeter. Please excuse our immaturity We're a little bored at the moment as we were planning on going fishing in the afternoon but it is RAINNING LIKE HELL HERE! Hehe. | ||
| Racer Nika (Racernika)
New member Username: Racernika Post Number: 15 Registered: 7-2003 |
Babe? hardly,.... Intimidating? I hope not - really I'm more normal...rather boring too...then you'd care to know... This thread isn't about me - it's the many women that have raced and the many that will in the future. I love Ferrari - everything about the cars....I love the race track....and to be able to bring a car to it's maximum potential...come on guys - you understand the feeling of driving the car to its' potential. I just hope those with daughters and sisters understand that if cars are their passion - it's ok.....chicken recipes are boring. Barbie only had a camper and wedding dresses years ago - now she has a Ferrari and a racing suit. No special favors needed her. If I beat you on the track I want to know it's because I can drive... Des - thanks my dear - but don't touch the Viking tart.....Dave doesn't know but his wife and I are trying to find a set of horns......just wait til his next birthday! Ernie - I have peanut butter and jelly - want half? | ||
| Dr. Ken Lee (Kenster888)
Junior Member Username: Kenster888 Post Number: 196 Registered: 4-2003 |
All I know is that Nika is a babe. Being a racer is just a bonus! | ||
| "The Don" (The_don)
Senior Member Username: The_don Post Number: 6238 Registered: 8-2002 |
I could careless what they looked like as long as Danica was driving...... | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Senior Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 5519 Registered: 8-2002 |
LOL, Ernie... Suck-ups...? i almost spit my soda out all over the screen when i read that... In all reality, i don't think it's likely that i'll ever meet Nika, let alone date her... However, i consider myself very lucky to be her friend and do hope that one day i get to meet her; maybe she'll even show me a few things about driving - real driving. ...but for argument's sake, let's look at Nika (for example) from the male, 'i wanna date her' perspective... She's beautiful - anyone disagree...? She's smart; that's clearly evident in her posts and, if you're lucky enough, her conversations with folks off the board... & the only chance most of us have of beating her in one lap around a track is with a two-lap head start... Gasp! Wait a minute...! These are all things that insecure men are fearful of... Beauty scares insecure men; intelligence makes their knees wobble and driving, well... do i even need to say it...? You're not insecure are you...? What do you look for in a woman...? Beer-opening & sandwich-making capabilities...? LOL... Anyway, back to the subject, you're absolutely right, men and women are NOT equal... Maybe one day us men will catch up the women. Dave, i've dispatched hitmen for the Viking woman; she's a goner... ...but i'll call them off if i can some day take you up on getting my arse kicked by one of those young ladies you instruct. | ||
| Racer Nika (Racernika)
New member Username: Racernika Post Number: 14 Registered: 7-2003 |
Denis McCluggage is the only woman to ever win the prestigeous Ken Purdy Award for excellence in automotive journalism. I bow down to her | ||
| V.Z. (Ama328)
Junior Member Username: Ama328 Post Number: 219 Registered: 11-2002 |
Didn't Denise McCluggage(sp?) do pretty well and make a name for herself back in the 60's and even do a bit of F1 ?? Hey, you wanna see a sport where the women are better and way more entertaining than the guys, tune into ESPN sometime for the WPB billiards/nine ball games. Much classier appearances, better poise, fabulous shot making. NOBODY male comes close to Allison Fisher at a pool table. Nice, classy British babe, too | ||
| Dave328GTB (Hardtop)
Member Username: Hardtop Post Number: 650 Registered: 1-2002 |
I would like to see nascar start a new series.....SUV's with all female drivers. I will say no more (fear for life) Dave | ||
| rich stephens (Dino2400)
Member Username: Dino2400 Post Number: 465 Registered: 10-2001 |
Jack, good points. Women's tennis is great to watch and they certainly have equal or better grace than the men and the casual viewer can't tell hom much slower the ball is going compared to the men: it looks like the women are wacking it just as hard and so it's exciting. However, the WNBA really needs to do something because it's totally unwatchable compared to the basketball that most fans, both male and female, are used to (i.e. mens college and the nba). Maybe if they lowered the basket and compacted the court a bit? No shame in that: doesn't women's volleyball use a lower net? It would just be adjusting for the average lower player height compared to the men's game. People like to see the sport played "above the rim". (maybe the shooting percentage and turnover ratio would go down too...) | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Intermediate Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 2242 Registered: 10-2002 |
Art I sit corrected. That said women are much too smart to engauge in certian things; very few women bomb defusers as well. | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Senior Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 5530 Registered: 5-2001 |
oups I forgot Art! Sorry Art! | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Senior Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 5529 Registered: 5-2001 |
Gosh I started something here! All I wanted to do is post this picture of the Mustang in pink! I am with James here. Except Roland none of us has seen real racing time. Sara Fischer will give us a run for our money and lap all of us ever 2nd lap. Although I admit I would give 110% but I am sure I could never catch Danica on the track! (hopefully in the padock though ) | ||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
Intermediate Member Username: Art355 Post Number: 2259 Registered: 6-2001 |
Jim: 15 seasons racing AMA Superbike, Suzukis and Ducatis. Only lead one race, Riverside in 81, bike broke, but a couple of decent finishes, and a BOTT championship, or two. When I was racing, no women competitors, now its a different story, but I don't think any gals have gotten into the superbike class yet. Art | ||
| Jack (Gilles27)
Intermediate Member Username: Gilles27 Post Number: 1237 Registered: 3-2002 |
I like to see women getting their feet in the door of racing, so to speak, as well as general perceptions of women in sport shifting. Anything that expands the popularity of racing will ultimately strengthen the sport, and that is exactly what it needs right now. As far as womens' sports in general, it's sad that there's a need, or perception thereof, to resort to sexploitation to market the goods. The point was raised that women (speaking in generalities here) don't obsess over sports the way men do, which means that women don't religiously gather in sports bars to watch WNBA games, or pile into an RV to go and tailgate before the big women's soccer league game. Marketers have to resort to selling female games to men, which ultimately means selling sex. WNBA players are phenomenal players and athletes, however watching quality, technical basketball isn't the most exciting thing in the world. The Williams' sisters are the most dominant tennis players of our time, maybe ever, but Anna Kournikova is the most popular player because teenage boys like to jerk off to her. I am all for women in sports, but a part of me also feels that women who don't participate need to do a better job of stepping up to the plate and supporting those who do. It's hypocritical to complain about the state of something like this when you are neither a participant nor a supporter. | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Intermediate Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 2239 Registered: 10-2002 |
One thing I do find strange is the male sport's fan who while sitting on a couch munching Doritios is so eager to proclaim someone one on the screen a hump. Any of you sno board as well as the babes who won the gold last winter? Any of you think you could beat Sarah Fisher around Indy? Any of you except for a very few race at all? Any of you except Roland ever race in a real race? Having driven up the hill behind Nika's friend Michelle at Goodwood I can say with from first had knowledge women can drive. | ||
| Thomas I (Wax)
New member Username: Wax Post Number: 17 Registered: 7-2003 |
Very well put, Jon Kofod. Man *or* woman, if one has self-motivation, desire and raw skills they still need sponsorship, training, opportunity, support, encouragement, let alone a fast car. Look at how much Challenge costs. Ain't cheap. | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Intermediate Member Username: Hugh Post Number: 1184 Registered: 1-2002 |
I think it's a real catch-22 for women and racing. One the one hand there's the proverbial argument that women aren't as strong, don't have the endurance, etc. And while not all women are meant to drive race cars, neither are all men. What bothers me is the fact that women going into racing ( or other predominantly male sports) have to make inroads with sex appeal; i.e., danika patricks spread in one of those pseudo-playboy rags. This doesn't help the situation b/c it displaces the emphasis from her credentials as a racing driver to those of her "sexiness." That makes the whole thing go 2 steps back... it's not her fault she's a beautiful woman (and yes, thank you for the pictures, ma'am) , and sometimes you gotta' do what you gotta' do, but the day where women, in racing, and at large, won't have to do spreads like that to divert attention to them, only to highlight their activity in other arenas of life, will be the day when a woman can go racing, without as much bias. -hubert ps: I was raised by a woman, I guess it rubbed off. pps: racing, in and of itself, is a tough place to get into... and probably will remain so. If anyone wants a challenge... find a young kid with dreams of driving a test ride. If you find one, let me know. | ||
| Ernie (Ernie)
Member Username: Ernie Post Number: 769 Registered: 11-2001 |
LOL! Yeah and VJ is teaching me to golf. Hahahaa. | ||
| Lee Pierce (Leepierce)
Junior Member Username: Leepierce Post Number: 185 Registered: 1-2003 |
Ernie, you been hanging out with Bill Maher? | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 844 Registered: 8-2001 |
Wow, Nika, please do a write up for us when your finished driving that dragster. Would love ot know what it is like driving one of those. My God some of you seem so stupid about racing. Of the 20+ posters here I only know one who actually made a comment that he races. And no, stoplight battles on mainstreet, go-kart races at the carnival, and X-Box/PSII doesn't qualify you as a racer. If you haven't actually raced (my definition) then what business do you have giving us your opinion on how suited women are to racing. There are a thousand reasons why there are not more women in racing but the #1 reason in my opinion is exactly what Nika stated,namely the numbers game. Start with 500 karters of which 490 are young boys and 10 are girls and you can see that each step of the ladder drastically decreases your chances if you are a boy and multiplies those odds many time more if you are a girl. A boy might have a 1 in 20,000 chance of getting to CART/F1 a women stands a 1 in 500,000 chance of doing the same. (no these are not actual stats just trying to show the different odds). I raced against many women. One of my teamates at Hagerman RacEngineering is a women in her late 40's who also happens to be a Ferrari Club member. When you meet her at FCA events she is the most pleasant understated person. You would not think she is an agressive fast racer. On the track at Ferrari events she used to just mosey around the track. I was stunned during my rookie season at my first race with the team when she outqualified me by nearly 2 seconds. And to boot, after passing her on the first lap she made a daring and incredibly late pass on one of the fastest corners of the track. When she puts her helmet on you might as well forget she is anyhting other than a fellow racer. Interesting fact that I am sure can be applied racing. A few years ago the US womens coach, who was a man, was asked the nnumber one difference about coaching women vs. men. His answer was somewhat unexpected to me. He said it's simple. "When I criticise the team during half time, every women thinks I am specifically speaking to them, so they all go out and improve their performance". When I yell and shout at the men in the same situation, almost all of the think, "...yeah coach is right the rest of you need to get your act in gear." Meaning each man thinks the coach is not talking to him but the rest of the bunch. A friend of mine who is a Skip Barber instructor has said the same applies to teaching women how to race. Men come in with the attitude "I am the best damn driver in the world" and the women don't. Nika, great to have you back on board. Regards, Jon P. Kofod 1995 F355 Challenge #23 | ||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
Intermediate Member Username: Art355 Post Number: 2252 Registered: 6-2001 |
Nika: have fun with that toy. I was stupid enough about 15 years ago to take someone up on an offer to ride a bike fueler. Scared the sh*t out of me, I was almost a full second off the bike's potential (low 8s) with a high 8 time. Be safe. Art | ||
| Ernie (Ernie)
Member Username: Ernie Post Number: 768 Registered: 11-2001 |
Nika you are absolutely right. Men cannot give birth, but, we did loose a rib. Hahahaaa. Anyway, I agree with what you are saying about no special treatment. Take Shirely Muldowney. She had no special treatment at all. As a matter of fact it was made harder for her. But she could bang with and beat the big boys. That I have respect for. But do not water down things and then call them "equal", let the true cream rise to the top. As for the money thing. Remember Hiro Matsushita who raced in CART. Well guess who his sponsor was, Panisonic. Can you guess who owned Panisonic? His grandfather. Hiro was always crashing and hardly ever finished a race. But he still raced in CART. So I have an idea for you Nika. Get Rich. Then you can buy a spot on the grid. Or better yet why don't you hit up the owner of WE tv. You know she is the first black lady to make $1 billion bucks. I'm sure she would finance some talented female driver. What does is cost to fund an F1 team? Something like $300,000,000.00 on the cheap side. She could even right it off as a business expense. Uh Oh, now what can of worms have I opened. LOL. | ||
| Racer Nika (Racernika)
New member Username: Racernika Post Number: 12 Registered: 7-2003 |
Ernie - you ARE right - women and men are NOT equal.......I have yet to see a man give birth. The difference is there from birth.....obviously.....some are inherent by social standards....and environment. All I ask is that in racing - that gender does not play an issue. I don't want a racerchick to be "I am woman hear me roar/whine....not much diff if you ask me"....BUT I want her to be a true racer. No special car...or rules for her. I want an equal playing field for anyone that races. It's tough - right now we see talented drivers never amount to anything while drivers with money go forward.... like a broken record.....the car can't tell if the racer is male or female - why should we? | ||
| Ernie (Ernie)
Member Username: Ernie Post Number: 767 Registered: 11-2001 |
Why is it that when a Man stands up for his gender he gets frowned on? Yet when a woman stands up for he gender she gets praised? But you know what I still will take the heat. Men and women are not equal! Never have been, never will be. Men in general can do most everything better than a woman, not all, but a close to it. I just really bugs me when this gets down played. Yes there have been, and will be, some women that out perform men. But like I said before the running totals of all time for both genders spells it out loud and clear who is best. Men. Nika your a good sport. You know I just love rattling your cage. Like I have said before you are not the norm. As for the rest of the whiney babies. Relax. | ||
| Marvin Balagot (Mdb69)
Junior Member Username: Mdb69 Post Number: 88 Registered: 4-2002 |
Who would e-mail you saying it wasn't you? Ernie I bet? Anywho, have someone take a vid of ya during your run. Would be cool to see. | ||
| Racer Nika (Racernika)
New member Username: Racernika Post Number: 11 Registered: 7-2003 |
geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez - to THOSE of you that think I had a GUY sit in the car....here is the proof it really is me....and the car   I can't believe you e-mailed me thinking it wasn't me!!! | ||
| Thomas I (Wax)
New member Username: Wax Post Number: 15 Registered: 7-2003 |
The only difference between women and girls is the size of their curls. In the case of Nika and women like her, those would be curls of rubber-scented smoke left in the wake of the car's exit from where it was just a second ago. Back to actual topic: How would race cars look if it were a predominantly female sport? Here's a hella resume (no car pics): http://www.motorsport.cranfield.ac.uk/cvs2002/cristianapace.pdf It goes without saying that cars have been a male-dominated pastime from the ground up, (though I said it anyway) so it's hard to say what cars would look like had they been designed by women from the get-go. I do think that at least for the first 50 years, the woman's touch of doilies, lace, chiffon, etc. would have been de rigueur on interiors. | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 2448 Registered: 1-2002 |
 | ||
| Racer Nika (Racernika)
New member Username: Racernika Post Number: 10 Registered: 7-2003 |
well - I never thought I'd like a 7 SECOND thrill ...but for an article ...and MAYBE to get more people to appreciate drag racing (including myself)...I strapped myself into this yes boys - I will ...in a couple weeks take this baby on the track and go 0 to 60 in a second..... today was my training day to learn the car  | ||
| rich stephens (Dino2400)
Member Username: Dino2400 Post Number: 456 Registered: 10-2001 |
Unfortunately there are minimum weight requirements in all forms of racing I know of so this isn't going to "matter" much. Yeah, maybe you could take that 20lbs and use it to build stronger parts elsewhere in the car but apparently that's not all that important since I've never heard any team complain about the weight of their drivers. They actually want them to build more muscle which will make them weight more (muscle weighing 8 times more than fat or whatever it is). | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 2442 Registered: 1-2002 |
2 words: Shauna Marinus http://www.racingfortherainbow.com/shauna_marinus.htm | ||
| Ben Cannon (Artherd)
Member Username: Artherd Post Number: 665 Registered: 6-2002 |
They'd look about the same, but the drivers would sure look a heck of a lot better! ;) I'm not even going to dignify "Ernie" with an Internet ass-whooping. Not worth it. I think racing may be one area where the girls can really play on an equal field. Absolute stregenth does not matter, it's all about relative stregenth to weight ratio (just keeping your head up in an F1 race is a challenge at 3-4Gees!) Girls have one inheritant competitive edge; they're smaller and lighter than us. And yes, 20lbs *matters* on an F1 car. I for one look *forward* to being passed by a chick! Best! Ben. | ||
| rich stephens (Dino2400)
Member Username: Dino2400 Post Number: 450 Registered: 10-2001 |
Actually, Anna has at least 15 doubles titles, including 2 Australian Opens. That's something, I think. --- Nika makes good points about opportunity and I for one would like to see women have more opportunity. Being a race car driver isn't a basic human right and so I don't think it's appropriate to demand that men "give" them more opportunity, but I hope more women go out and create that opportunity for themselves. But in the end, after women have been racing for generations in gocart, club racing, and up through the ranks, I suspect we will still see an all male field in the top ranks (i.e. Formula 1). It would be great if Dom's daughter or her daughter proves me wrong but I just don't see how it will happen. Pete thinks it will have to do with mental, emotional, and basic competitiveness issues. Nika thinks it is all about lack of opportunity. I don't think so - I think it will just come down to simple differences between the male and female bodies. If it were about opportunity then someone will need to explain to me why even among kids, who have the same sporting opportunities, the boys are clearly better. From elementary school through university, girls had the same opportunities as boys, and in fact more since the girls were welcome to play in the boys leagues as well. My schools and towns had programs and facilities that provided the same opportunities to girls as they did to boys. But be it tennis, golf, soccer, bowling, cycling, baseball, basketball, swimming, water polo, track and field, whatever, I never encountered a girl who could really "play with the boys". Sure, there were some girls in the boys leagues, and some may have even been better than me at some points, but even at ages when the girls were much more developed compared to the slower maturing boys, the girls were nowhere near the top 25% of participants, much less the top 20 in the world that will be required to get into something like Formula 1. [BTW, Any argument that the girls weren't achieving because of lack of role models or because people didn't expect them to be better and thus their goals were lower plays right into Pete's argument that men are simply born more competitive because, no man out there really competes because he wants to "be like mike": we just have it in us from the day we are born] Getting back to Formula 1, remember it has only has 20 drivers. I can't think of any sport, even ones with many generations of open participation by women, in which the top woman could break into the top 100 men, let alone the top 20. I just think the physiological differences are just too great for women to overcome. Yes, of course some women have the strength and endurance necessary to drive a formula 1 car, but they are always going to be using a higher percentage of their max effort than a male of similar size and weight. The closer we are to our max, the less able are we to use our mental abilities, things like reaction time and concentration suffer, and so on. For that reason, until a woman is as fit and capable physically as the top 20 male drivers in the world, they won't be able to get a spot on the grid even if their desire level and other skills are equal (at setting up the car, for example). I think that physiology is always going to make the difference. | ||
| Kendall Kim (Kenny)
Member Username: Kenny Post Number: 407 Registered: 9-2001 |
I thought you were referring to the number of fans following, not the competitiveness... My bad.. Each time I read about Anna Kournikova this, or Anna that, I just have to roll my eyes.. This chick is ranked 89th in the world and never even won ONE WTA tournament.. Yes, you are right, Men's Golf and Tennis is more competitive and has far more depth than the women do.. | ||
| PSk (Psk)
Member Username: Psk Post Number: 855 Registered: 11-2002 |
Kendall, I do not agree. Yes Women's Golf and Tennis is very popular, but they do not have the hundreds of thousands of competitors like the equivalent men's sports. This is what I meant. I used to play golf and the club I belonged to only had about 50 women members compared to hundreds of men. Most males live and breathe sport, it whats makes many of us get out of bed in the morning ... I have met very few women that are that passionate about any sport, and this is what it takes to get to the top. Thus put a woman in a sport that men are allowed to play in (at the same level, etc.) ... and they have to compete with men that have since they could walk have dreamt about being that sporting hero ... and we all know that just about every boy dreams of being exactly that! They can do it, no doubt but it is a numbers game, ie. 1,000,000 would be F1 male pilots versus 1,000 would be F1 women pilots. This makes it less likely that one of those women makes it to the ultimate goal ... ie. a regular F1 pilot. BTW: Nika, you forgot to mention Mich�le Mouton who was absolutely fantastic in her Audi Quattro and did win atleast one round of the World Rally championship. Also Marie Theresa de Fillipis drove a 250F just like the boys Pete | ||
| Kendall Kim (Kenny)
Member Username: Kenny Post Number: 406 Registered: 9-2001 |
"So this is where it is at IMO, and why women's sport is must smaller than the equivilant male sport, ie. Tennis, Golf, etc. Yes some play, but still today many young women do not grow up aspiring to be a sports star. Maybe this will change ..." Nothing is further from the truth...Actually women's golf and tennis are enormously popular.. Anyone who's educated in either sport knows the 200th ranked male golfer or tennis player in the world would whoop the top ranked women golfer or tennis player, still they are popular with sports fans.. Women tennis players and golfers usually have better technique and tempo.. They don't have the strength to muscle the ball the way many men professionals do... There's something to be learned there.. It's not necessarily about whether or not a woman is not good enough,,, It's about entertainment... I have no problem with women racers as long as they respect the sport, put aside the BS, and show good conduct.. They don't have to be the best in the field, just good enough to keep up... What I do dislike is this sort of nonsense that only fuels the fire between the two genders.. "You know, at a track event once, I met a woman driving a mazda RX-7. White, with Pink numbers etc. On the back, in Pink, was written: You've just been passed by a Chick." | ||
| Sunny Garofalo (Jaguarxj6)
Member Username: Jaguarxj6 Post Number: 733 Registered: 2-2003 |
WB, Nika! Martin's been a bad boy. Sunny | ||
| PSk (Psk)
Member Username: Psk Post Number: 851 Registered: 11-2002 |
Actually, I have raced with against a few women competitors and nothing at all wrong with their ability behind the wheel, but I personally think that most women do not get into sport, and thus motor racing, because they just do not get sport like men do. Thus yes more women are racing cars nowadays, but 75% of the men in the world probably want to, or have dreamed about being a sports star, etc. My wife, for example, things 90% of all sports are a waste of time, things to do for idle minds, and who cares who wins anyway. I believe that most women think along the same lines. Note my wife watches F1, Rugby and a few others with the family, but while she might prefer that a certain team wins, I am sure it is so her husband and sons are in better moods for the rest of the day or weekend ... So this is where it is at IMO, and why women's sport is must smaller than the equivilant male sport, ie. Tennis, Golf, etc. Yes some play, but still today many young women do not grow up aspiring to be a sports star. Maybe this will change ... I definitely will be supporting my daughter with any sport she decides to play As for the car racing thing. One women classic raced her lovely Datsun 240z, and she drove this thing real well ... maybe even better than I could have. Unfortunately she lost it one day and bent her beloved car quite badly. Talking to her afterwards, and she was real upset and did not enjoy the accident experience at all ... she (as far as I know) has never raced since. A pity. This highlights one of the differences between the sexes. For most males the race part of the sport is a big motivator, and the car would have been on the trailer and once recovered from the 'oh sh!t' phase ... dreams of better modifications would have come to the fore. After all you might as well. Thus in the end some men like the adrenilin/frightening themselves part of motor sport better than some women ... obviously this does not mean ALL men and/or women. Lets wait and see, and I give my 100% support to ANYBODY who gives it their all to reach the top in any sport. Pete | ||
| David R. (Rodsky)
Junior Member Username: Rodsky Post Number: 175 Registered: 3-2003 |
well put les - its not even worth getting drug into this BS - yet again | ||
| les brun (Labcars)
Junior Member Username: Labcars Post Number: 125 Registered: 1-2003 |
Ernie, you st........Nah, nevermind. Enjoy your sandwich and beer. | ||
| Ernie (Ernie)
Member Username: Ernie Post Number: 766 Registered: 11-2001 |
Ooooooh.... the Windshield Wiper! Whoopty-freekin'-do. For the rest of you guys: quit being SUCK-UPS, you are not going to get a date with Nika on F-chat. I'll take my sandwich with a cold beer! Cheers Fred! | ||
| les brun (Labcars)
Junior Member Username: Labcars Post Number: 124 Registered: 1-2003 |
Nika, agree with all you've said. Don't know you, but am glad you're back. Cheers. | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 2432 Registered: 1-2002 |
Kendall, I will bet that BOTH are smarter than you... | ||
| Kendall Kim (Kenny)
Member Username: Kenny Post Number: 403 Registered: 9-2001 |
 | ||
| Fredrick Skyler (996_gt2)
New member Username: 996_gt2 Post Number: 7 Registered: 7-2003 |
Well said Ernie......A woman's place is in the kitchen, not on the track. Now, will one of you WOMEN out there make me a sandwich..;) | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 2431 Registered: 1-2002 |
Nika, this is for you, my sweet. DES, might as well just lay back & enjoy it! Richard, we need pictures of Danielle, please! Ernie.......boy, I don't know what to say to your post. Except how great I think it is to see more & more women as students in the High Performance Driver Education track events where I instruct. Maybe you should come out to one, too, so a woman could kick your arse on track??  | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Senior Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 5506 Registered: 8-2002 |
NO, Nika, NOOOOOOOO...! He's gonna post that Viking gif crap...! Sigh... i can see it, already... i wish i knew how to make gifs of my own... Everyone here would hate me... | ||
| Racer Nika (Racernika)
New member Username: Racernika Post Number: 9 Registered: 7-2003 |
Dave - I am back to keep Martin from spreading LIES!!! But you know what this means......I'm not really back until I see your ...um...."mascot" (GRIN) | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Senior Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 5505 Registered: 8-2002 |
Ernie, was that necessary...? Are you joking, maybe i didn't see the humor...? Just like blacks, asians, hispanics, foreigners, poor people, atheists, people with dial-up connections, jews, et al have been persecuted, so have women... It wasn't until the 1900s that women were finally allowed to vote... & just like they did with blacks and so forth, the white men who run this world pretend to advocate for equal rights and blah blah blah because it's easier to do underhanded things secretively than out in the open... So the big dollar white guys continue blowing hot air about equal rights for everyone and equal opportunities and loads of other bullsh!t, but then behind closed doors, they come up with some "other" reason not to hire the black guy or not to give the asian the full scholarship or <ahem> not to let the girl race... For every guy out there that can do something special or unusual or whatever, there's a woman out there who can do it equally as well... It's disgusting to think that such putrid, blatant prejudice can still be so freely displayed in the world, without anyone having a problem with it... i feel so disgusting to think that i'm actually a part of this society. If i thought there were a better one out there, i'd find it and live in that one... As far as female inventors go, there are plenty - and no, they're not stealing a man's idea... The details are too numerous for me to go into so i'll just leave it that... Your statements, though, were ridiculously sexist. | ||
| Racer Nika (Racernika)
New member Username: Racernika Post Number: 8 Registered: 7-2003 |
Im sorry but I don't think I ever said we are out to take over the world or the sport of motor racing. As for women copiers - sorry - but we have such notary inventors as Mary Anderson - the windshield wiper, Edith Flanigen - petroleum refining technique....Stephaie Louise Kwolek - Kevlar....just to name a few. As for accomplishemnts - from winning the Paris Dakar rally just a few years ago - I would say Julie Kleinschmidt is worthy. I have 130+ women racers on my site www.racerchicks.com that strap in a car, boat etc each weekend to drive to the limit! I don't want to debate social stigmas -- just remember when Janet Guthrie raced the Indy 500 for the first time women weren't even allowed in the garages until a few years before. As we progress we see more and more women in non-traditional roles. I highly recommend the book The Mercury 13 (Book review soon on www.racerchicks.com) about the 13 American Women and their dream of space flt. The tests they went thru ......even came out better then their male counterparts in a few tests. | ||
| Marvin Balagot (Mdb69)
Junior Member Username: Mdb69 Post Number: 83 Registered: 4-2002 |
Angelle Seeling Shes hot Dangerous sport though, bike drag racing. She's got more "balls" than I do | ||
| Richard Ward (Lomotpk)
Junior Member Username: Lomotpk Post Number: 73 Registered: 5-2003 |
Angelle Seelilng | ||
| Pat Pasqualini (Enzo)
Member Username: Enzo Post Number: 833 Registered: 2-2002 |
 | ||
| Ernie (Ernie)
Member Username: Ernie Post Number: 765 Registered: 11-2001 |
Nika I know you love cars and racing. You are not most women. However you really must face the music. Just about every sport you can think of was created by a Man. Matter of fact I can't think of any sport created by a woman. Women normally get hip to something created by a Man, in this case racing, then all of a sudden want to take over it, just because they are women. Now there is nothing wrong with women competing. If she can hang with the Big Boys then let her. But really it is a Man's World, always has been, always will be. The only reason women get a chance is cause men allow it. Plain and simple. Yes there have been some great women drivers. But if you take a running total of the accomplishments made by men and women in racing of all time. This includes records, championships, speed, everything racing related, the men plain and simple destroy the women. Now you can argue that it is because women haven't had opportunities in the past. So lets take the present then. What great controbution has a woman made to the advancement of racing in the last 10 years? That is since 1993. Nada, Zip, Zilch, Zero, Nothing. They have competed and some have even done well, but I'm taking advancement. Like something never seen before on a race car. What I'm getting at is that there are NO women inventors, just copiers. Women see something that they never though of before and say, "that looks like fun", then, "hey how come there aren't any women in it", then "You should allow women", then "This would run better if a woman was in charge". Well the reason there aren't any women in the first place is because they didn't come up with it, and it was men that came up with it because that is what appeals to men. I'm just standing up for us fellas. Thats all. You can join in on our fun, but don't think you are going to take over it. Oh yeah and if ever you do it is because the men let you. | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 2428 Registered: 1-2002 |
Nika, it is wonderful to see you posting here again!!!!! Mitch, you can, just outside of Clark County, Nevada...  | ||
| Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Member Username: Mitch_alsup Post Number: 928 Registered: 4-2002 |
"Lets face it. Sex sells" Then why is no-one allowed to buy................ | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Senior Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 5515 Registered: 5-2001 |
okay oka, I am going into my corner and think about it  | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Senior Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 5514 Registered: 5-2001 |
If I would be a car I would be able to tell the difference You can sit in my seat any day and I tell you ther eis a difference than having Wolfgang sit in there  | ||
| P. Thomas (Ferrari_fanatic)
Member Username: Ferrari_fanatic Post Number: 478 Registered: 4-2003 |
I am not sure what it would look like, but I am sure I would still get yelled at for leaving the seat up! | ||
| Racer Nika (Racernika)
New member Username: Racernika Post Number: 7 Registered: 7-2003 |
Why they are no women in Formula One... First of all we must look back to the women that have been in F1 - Giovanna Amati, Leila Lombardi and Desire Wilson I believe.....I can't say they had the car to be a podium finisher but they did race....they are like today's Minardi drivers I'd say. But why are there not more? Well - to look at the structure of racing think of it as a triangle with F1 at the top. The bottom rungs are the feeder series such as Karting and F1200 the next rungs aer F1600/2000 then maybe F3, IRL/CART - you get the picture. Normally a racer works their way from the bottom to the top - during this time they must have great financial backing since the costs increase 100-fold. from 100,000 karters worldwide - maybe one will make it to F3000 even. Now out of 100 karters maybe 1 was female 15 years ago - LUCKYLY now a days that number may be 20-40.......So really ONE of the reasons there are no female F1 racers. But there will be in time.....I know that. The number two reason can be money - we all know how much it takes to get there. I have point blanked asked a company why they sponsor a man while their product is geared for females ie/ think Laundry soap, cleaner, kitchen aids etc... I was told OFF THE RECORD that they would not consider a female since the Earnhardt crash......to have their product associated with a female racers injury or death would be a PR nightmare. Sara Fisher finished pon the podium at Homestead 2 years ago yet could NOT get sponsorship for the race the next year. WHY? Reason number 2 Women in racing are still a novelty - the old boys network rules....even Bernie Ecclestone has the attitude that women can't compete. Here's the story http://www.racerchicks.com/motor/bite.html Reason 3 Cars can't tell the gender of their drivers....why should it be an issue? I can go on and go on. We haven't had any women in F1 recently because there are no talented female racers.....there are ...but because they are stilling working up the learning curve and wishing to get a break in an F1 car from a competitive team. | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Senior Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 5512 Registered: 5-2001 |
Very sexist remarks! I bet Nika is sitting on her Computer and cursing at me for starting this! still love you babe! Wolfgang, I think we will see a whole bunch of race car drivers being female. We have broken ground here with Sara Fisher in Indy and the lovely Danica Patrick in Formel Toyota and not American LeMans for the Ferrari Prodrive Team. My personal opinion is that racing is becoming a bigger sport for advertisers and good looking chick that have a lead foot will make it really big in racing. Lets face it. Sex sells and that is what high paying advertisers will look for. Maybe more now since the tobacco products and alcohol is coming off the cars in most countries. Now you have to bring clean products that will not pay as well as Marlboro did (unless they can use a pretty face with it). In our office we are getting mortgage information from all kinds of banks. Argent is the bank that sponsors Danica and they milk every Dollar out of her. Also woman have the advantage of being built smaller than men by nature. Myself as a 220Lbs, 6'4" (190cm) do not stand a chance of ever being drafted by the Scuderia for test days in Maranello in the 2003GA. as I said all in good fun! | ||
| James P. Smith (Tigermilk)
Junior Member Username: Tigermilk Post Number: 181 Registered: 7-2001 |
This one really was driven by a woman. Saw it as it was happening prior to a bike race in central Texas earlier this year.  | ||
| PeterS (Peters)
Intermediate Member Username: Peters Post Number: 1246 Registered: 1-2003 |
Oh my God! I bet there is an extra wide rear view mirror for the makeup ritual on the straight-aways! | ||
| Patrick Denonville (Arizonaguy)
Member Username: Arizonaguy Post Number: 456 Registered: 4-2003 |
Sarah Fisher races in Indy or some other open wheel cars I believe. | ||
| Wolfgang Eistert (53345)
Member Username: 53345 Post Number: 507 Registered: 3-2003 |
Dom, sorry, I was just kidding a bit `cause I came across the pics ...scroll down;-) And of course I know so many woman here in Germany driving much better & faster then most of the gents. Good Luck for your daughter and teach hear the best way to drive safety and fast. Just funn....    | ||
| Ken Ghiringhelli (Kenny94945)
Junior Member Username: Kenny94945 Post Number: 71 Registered: 12-2002 |
How would it look? Maybelleyne Rossa Corsa (sp) lip-stick. Clean shaven chins. Helmut hair. It would look great! | ||
| Dom Vitarella (Dom)
Member Username: Dom Post Number: 355 Registered: 11-2002 |
Wofgang, This woman I met was actually an instructor, and could drive the pants off of most of the guys there. Why are there no women in Formula1? I'm not even going to touch that question. But, I can tell you that I am planning for my daugher to be an F1 driver in about 16 more years | ||
| Wolfgang Eistert (53345)
Member Username: 53345 Post Number: 506 Registered: 3-2003 |
Dom, well, o.k. but how many woman are driving in the Formula 1 or GP 500 ? Zero=O Don`t know about NASCAR...please delight me. Or other main motor sport GP. | ||
| Dom Vitarella (Dom)
Member Username: Dom Post Number: 353 Registered: 11-2002 |
You know, at a track event once, I met a woman driving a mazda RX-7. White, with Pink numbers etc. On the back, in Pink, was written: You've just been passed by a Chick. I bet Nika would approve. | ||
| Wolfgang Eistert (53345)
Member Username: 53345 Post Number: 505 Registered: 3-2003 |
Martin, the best joke to me is in your headline of the thread  ....also: this is all in good fun | ||
| Paul Bianco (Paulie_b)
Member Username: Paulie_b Post Number: 560 Registered: 1-2003 |
what about the pink Caddy sponsored by Mary Kay? | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Senior Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 5504 Registered: 5-2001 |
nice! Can you imagine saying this to your wife: "Honey, I will go to the Hardware store quick, I'll take your car, ok?" | ||
| Mr. Doody (Doody)
Intermediate Member Username: Doody Post Number: 1521 Registered: 11-2001 |
and her road car: http://www.naplesmotorsports.com/99_rose_911.htm   doody. | ||
| Jay Grande (Jay)
Intermediate Member Username: Jay Post Number: 1458 Registered: 10-2001 |
LOL! | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Senior Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 5490 Registered: 5-2001 |
...and please this is all in good fun! | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Senior Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 5489 Registered: 5-2001 |
 |