Women on track?

[jitsukadave]

I'm happy doing the trackdays, but I think the misses is a little annoyed I spend money and most importantly my spare weekends and holidays doing trackdays and training.

I've asked if she wanted to get involved and do some herself and whilst she seems to want to, she also seems a bit relucant to (I'm not 100% sure why yet).
She loves carting and I think she'd also enjoy getting out on the track, but I'd like to ease her into it all, and I think if there was a novice day she may be pursuaded, but I think if there was a women's day she'd be up for it. Does anybody know if such things exist?

Also I know the women in motorsport club, but I don't know if there's anything similar for track-days?

[Shaun_E]

Some of the bigger tracks like Brands and Silverstone do novice days. EVO magazine used to run EvoActive novice days - my wife did one with the Lotus 7 club as her first experience on track. Went OK until she spun the car - luckily didn't hit anything solid. She has since had a couple of goes, once at Llandow and once at Anglesey.
The Loyus 7 club have also done ladies days at Curborough sprint track but that's for members only. I thought I saw a thread on here a few months back about a ladies only track day - suggest you do a search.

[jitsukadave]

Cheers, I will do.

[m3pilot]

I did the novice trrackday at brands hatch on the 29th of december. I'm sure there were a few women there, All in all it was a very relaxed day. I can imagine that some trackdays can be intimidating

[weed]

I'm probably wrong, but:
1, I think that most ladies are put off participation by the testosterone dripping off the majority of the drivers.
2,I also think they would like to avoid embarassing any typical male track day goer seeing as how fragile the male ego can be at times.
3,The ladies that do enjoy the dripping testosterone quickly move into more competitive driving events like real racing.
m

[webmistress]

I've been a passenger on 3 or 4 track days and really enjoyed them. I also took part in a Lotus Ladies only activity day with Andy Walsh about year ago which was was absolutely brilliant!!! www.itsnatalie.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/index.html

Infact I had so much fun I came away wanting MORE and within a couple of weeks had sold my Elise and bought a Tamora!

On Saturday will be taking part in my first proper trackday at Brands and understand I will be the only lady-type taking part :gulp:

Though I'm really looking forward to it, when I was prepping my car earlier and I suddenly felt absolutely terrified, though not quite sure of what...

Will let you know how it goes - keep ur fingers Xd for me please!

>> Edited by webmistress on Thursday 12th January 22:38

[mrsmadmark]

I did my first trackday at Brands last August, it was a novice day, and it was great

www.pistonheads.com/trackdays/index.asp?storyId=12744

My husband was the main driver and I was put down as an extra, doesn't cost too much more, about £20. This way she won't feel pressured and you still get plenty of time for you both to get quite a few laps in.

I was surprised how many ladies were actually there, and everyone was friendly and it was not at all intimidating.

webmistress said:

On Saturday will be taking part in my first proper trackday at Brands and understand I will be the only lady-type taking part :gulp: Though I'm really looking forward to it, when I was prepping my car earlier and I suddenly felt absolutely terrified, though not quite sure of what...

I felt like that too, but as soon as the adrenaline starts pumping and you've had a few laps, you'll be having a great time. Can't wait for my next one, have fun.

[jitsukadave]

webmistress said:

On Saturday will be taking part in my first proper trackday at Brands and understand I will be the only lady-type taking part :gulp: Though I'm really looking forward to it, when I was prepping my car earlier and I suddenly felt absolutely terrified, though not quite sure of what... Will let you know how it goes - keep ur fingers Xd for me please!

Fingers crossed in readiness.
I always have a pang of the 'oh my gods' on the way to the track, and I'm never really sure why. But agree that after a few minutes there I calm down and just get on with it - I always find the very English appraoch of tea and biscuits helps enormously

Thanks for the links too - will follow them up.

[Grib]

I hear a lot of this with motorcycle trackdays being a girlie myself, I had no idea women felt the same with the car trackdays. No reason why it should be any different I suppose!
Yesterday I did my first proper car trackday, the only other drive on track I've had was a school at Rockingham. It didn't even enter my mind that it was going to be a blokes vs birds kind of affair, once you're in your car with your helmet on you can't tell who's who anyway!
The best thing to do is just book up and go and do it. From my experience yesterday at Bedford, which was open pit lane, so mixed abilities, from racers to novices out there, everyone was really friendly and very courteous on track. The people that were much quicker weren't being pushy and passing in stupid places, they'd wait for you to indicate you were letting them by and vice versa when you approached a slower driver. It couldn't have been any safer or easier out there, I loved every second of it, even when I messed up and had a few spins! It's just you and the car and everyone else having fun, not wanting to run you off the circuit just cos you're a girl, or taking the mick cos you might not be as good as them, it's just a great environment of like-minded people, whatever sex they maybe

[webmistress]

Had a GREAT time at Brands Hatch!

The organisation of the event was excellent with an open pit lane of mixed abilities with two groups only each getting 30mins on track and then 30mins off.

Many thanks to instructor Scott who accompanied me on my first session me for a track familiarisation session and again later in the day.

Probably got around 100 laps in during the day - and to think my dream had been to do just one lap of Brands! Now I can't wait to do my next trackday - anywhere!

Grib said:

From my experience yesterday at Bedford, which was open pit lane, so mixed abilities, from racers to novices out there, everyone was really friendly and very courteous on track. The people that were much quicker weren't being pushy and passing in stupid places, they'd wait for you to indicate you were letting them by and vice versa when you approached a slower driver. It couldn't have been any safer or easier out there, I loved every second of it, even when I messed up and had a few spins! It's just you and the car and everyone else having fun, not wanting to run you off the circuit just cos you're a girl, or taking the mick cos you might not be as good as them, it's just a great environment of like-minded people, whatever sex they maybe

I couldn't agree more - that's just how I experienced it too..... so to anyone who's not sure: book a track day as soon as you can and just enjoy!!!

[Black Racing]

If there is women out there that want to get out on track, or what more information. They should join Formula Woman Club (www.formulawoman.com/club/) this gives women the opportunity to gain experience within a female environment - their are also female instructors. The Club allows you to do all sorts of track days all over the country, it allows you to gain experience and have some fun.

I have won a seat in this year Formula Woman Championship, driving Caterham 7's. I beleive that more woman should be in motorsport, and if given the opportunity there will be. There are loads of talented women out their wanting to race. So men be aware!!

If any women wants more info, then drop me a line or check out my website. Good luck for getting out on track

Amanda Black
www.amandablack.co.nr