What??? A woman who lies about her age? Damnit, she's probably lying about her weight then too! No denying her other attributes, however, even if the biggest is just good old fashioned deep pockets! As for the Dana mishap, all she has to do is slow down for cautions and she will do alright. She won't be at the limit of the car anyway, no way, unless she is a prodigy...could she be? We shall see, eh? For sure, anybody who is willing to drive at Indy, and go four wide, wide open, into turn 1, at 200+ mph has to be fearless! She has more guts than I do! I will be pinching my cheeks when she goes by! LOL
The problem in IRL is, if you or your sponsor have the money, you can be racing in the main event. You just have run a certain speed alone on the track, and you are in the series. A prime example is A J Foyt IV during the last two years. It was painful watching him hold up other racers, seeing him crash his granddad's cars, and lets not forget the 2005 Indy 500 when they were going to black flag him because he could not maintain the minimum speed with an undamaged car. Motor racing is dangerous enough as it is, without these unqualified racers. Indy is still, for all the safety upgrades, very unforgiving when you crash. I have no problem with women drivers. Just unexperienced drivers pushed above their level of experience just for publicity.
Maybe 6 years ago, I was on track with her and personally witnessed some eyebrow-raising driving. Frankly, I was surprised the rules body didn't send her packing that instant. However, that was a while ago, and there were rumors in hushed voices about how hard she was being pushed by her driving coach at the time (don't know if it's the same one). Regardless, she was out there mixing it up. However, I don't think I'd want to purchase her old 355C, if you know what I mean! I haven't really followed her driving since that time, so her skills may have significantly changed, but I can't comment. I sincerely hope, though, that the governing body hasn't made any compromises. Hopefully, she'll be able to handle herself well. We'll see. CW
Maybe one of the reasons that sponsors jump on the gals (figuratively speaking) is because of their weight advantage and they tend to be more likeable as cheese at the sponsor's events. I mean, if you work for an oil company, and you are going to a VIP tent party, who would you rather was the main attraction, an attractive young women or a dude! I wish there were more attractive young women on the circuit that I run in. That would make things a lot more interesting, both on the track and in the pits! LOL Of course, there will always be guys like AJ-IV out there, just like there are daddy's boys in every company and industry. Its not exclusive to racing, is it? There is always the silver platter coming out for someone....most of them, in fact. At the same time, if you don't have a driver's coach, trainer and a big wad of cash, how is the sport going to exist? It would just be another amateur or old timer's event. I say let the young kids in and test their mettle, esp the good lookin ladies! It just generates more interest for the sport, which is good in the long run. Everyone out there knows the risks, and that includes the risk of driver error by the inexperienced ones in the back of the field...Now, if the car catapults into the crowd, I will be singing a different tune! Anymore pics anyone?
It's because there aren't many women in racing period. People are then attracted to the idea of a woman entering such a male dominated sport and holding their own, ESPECIALLY if they are good looking. Just the attetion that goes with the women that sponsors like. It's certainly not their "weight advantage" or the opportunity to parade them around dinner parties that are primary influences lol. In Milka's case, she's married to some big wig Citgo exec.
Milka has done well in just about any racing series she has entered. Granted big sponsors always lead you to good rides. Her driving coach back then was Vic Elford. I wish her luck!
Milktoast's success is all hype. All she has going for her is breasts, and does anyone know if they are real? Today, she qualified 21st, last. Sarah Fisher qualified a respectable 17th ahead of her teammate Buddy Rice, and Danica qualified a disappointing 10th, last of the AGR cars.
It is absolutely unbelievable and bordering on criminal negligence that IRL is even entertaining this stunt. If the series weren't so weakened (and cash starved) we'd never know about Milka or her money.
I have to admit, that I don't really follow the Rolex series, or Milka's career. I have just seen some others on her tauting her over the past couple years and assumed she was equally talented as the other younger drivers in that series. Now, based on the reactions here, I am really wondering. Criminal negligence? That's a pretty strong statement!
Milka finished - better than several others including Marco. Apparently two times in a row he's retired - they need to get their act together at AGR for him. Couple Marco's problems with the slick move on Patrick's part pulling out into teammate Tony as he came into the pits setting him back 8 laps. They said that Tony was furious . . wonder what the rest of the story is?? She's still just a midpack racer - a 7th place today is midpack for the number of finishers. At least Dan Weldon won the race for Ganassi. Can't wait for F1 to come back to life and a couple weeks for the ALMS race at Salt Lake City. Carol
In all forms of closed course racing there is a person on the pit crew that is in charge of controlling when a car pulls out as the driver generally can not see oncoming pit traffic. Blame them.
You can't blame Danica for a mistake made by the team. They sent her out in front of Kanaan. As far as Milka, did anyone catch her post-race interview? She sounded like someone who just went for their first carnival ride. After seeing her plod around 10 mph slower than the rest of the field on a wide-open, banked oval, I doubt she'll even be able to qualify at Indy.
Indy needs 33 cars. The IRL will probably have to draft the fan from seat H-17 just to fill the field.
They'll patch it together with the usual cast of has-beens and re-treads. Al Unser Jr. is supposedly working on a deal with AJ Foyt. I think Michael is racing again. Although they need to add a dozen cars over yesterday's grid.
Just to add fuel to tifosiron's (misguided ) contention that Danica is the best female race driver competing today: Sara Fisher is the only female driver in Indy Car to have a podium finish, she has a second and third to her credit. She has led 39 laps in her career. All while driving second-rate equipment in an under-funded effort. Danica Patrick has finished no better than 4th in her career. She has led only 26 laps. All while driving for Rahal-Letterman and AGR with one of the largest sponsorship deals in IRL. Clearly the best female driver in IRL is NOT Danica Patrick. Meanwhile, the best female driver on the planet, Angelle Sampay, is currently third in the points with one win thus far this season. With 3 championships to her credit already, Angelle will likely finish this season with the record for most wins in NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle by ANY driver, man or woman...
