F. Woman... A femenist triumph!
Discussion
Sorry everyone, I liked it.
It was a programme with cars in.
Not cooking, or decorating, soaps or bloody gardening.
Yes, it was patronising, yes it was made-for-tv reality programming (a friend is being filmed for for one of these for a magazine he's just launched).
But if Mazda wants to put serious money into any new form of one-make motorsport then good for them.
Simon
It was a programme with cars in.
Not cooking, or decorating, soaps or bloody gardening.
Yes, it was patronising, yes it was made-for-tv reality programming (a friend is being filmed for for one of these for a magazine he's just launched).
But if Mazda wants to put serious money into any new form of one-make motorsport then good for them.
Simon
Simonrockman said:
But if Mazda wants to put serious money into any new form of one-make motorsport then good for them.
Simon
most single make championships have a detrimental effect on british motorsport though. they turn up in a blaze of glory and fade away noce the manufactureer has sold enough cars leaving the championships they replaced under supported. Mazda wont stick around after this year with the FW thing. They are in it to sell cars not propmote motorsport. The ford focus championship managed to muster a whopping four cars in the grid last year but got the full suppport of the BRSCC. Good for them... pah!
pablo said:Hmm,
most single make championships have a detrimental effect on british motorsport though.
Ginettas
TVR Tuscans
Renult Clio Cup
Any Caterham series
Radicals
These series (and others like them) are producing the best racing in British Motorsport at the moment. I'm having trouble seeing how this is detrimental in any way. I don't believe that the manufacturers are in it for the short term either, which is why they have built up decent championships.
These are just the first names that came to light - although I'd be interested to see how most are failures!
PR said:
Women have long been spectators in the world of Formula 1 but now they have been given the chance to make their mark on the starting grid.
Formula Woman is the latest in the “reality TV format” which has proved so popular with the TV viewing public . 10,000 women from across the UK applied for the chance to be trained as a racing driver. After a rigorous series of psychological, fitness, media competence and driving tests 16 finalists were chosen to drive Mazda RX-8s, two of which are sponsored by Bausch & Lomb's PureVision contact lenses. Complete novices when they started the competition, they have now embarked on an intensive training course, and taken part in seven regional races to get to the final nationwide championship at Brands Hatch.
This first ever all-women race championship has been captured by ITV1 and will be broadcast this summer as part of their motor sport coverage. The fly on the wall style programmes will show tears, the stress and pressure both on and off the tarmac and will give other women the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the life of a real racing driver.
From all different walks of life, including an accountant, a jet fighter pilot and a student! They all have one goal to hold up the trophy on the 25th July at Brands Hatch and be crowned the Formula Woman Champion 2004
A recent Bausch & Lomb survey revealed that over half the people surveyed (52%) believe, when it comes to competent driving, male and female drivers are just as good as each other. Surprisingly, 75% of men say that women can be trusted behind the wheel of a fast car! But how can women support this belief with 31% admitting they use the rear view mirror to apply makeup! Furthermore, 70% of women admitting to checking out potential partners at traffic lights – has speed dating taken to the roads we ask ourselves?
However, maybe men and women are just as bad as each other when it when you consider that 30% of us don't know whether or not they need glasses/contact lenses when driving. So do women make competent Formula 1 drivers?
To tell us more about the championship we are joined by 2 of the 16 women taking part in the championship - Emma Hayles and Nicola Robison. They will be driving two of the sixteen Mazda RX-8s, sponsored by Bausch & Lomb's PureVision and will give us an insiders view on the sweat, oil and tears so far in the championship.
Emma and Nicola will be with us on Wednesday 14 th July between 1600 – 1700 for an online chat.
To submit questions before the chat: questions@webchats.tv
To join the chat visit: www.webchats.tv
Got really bored reading all the posts on this. This is my first post on PH and no doubt I'm about to get flamed! I watched FW and Racing Rivals and have got to say, both were absolute rubbish! Staged reality TV shows aren't really my thing. I want to be a Racing Driver however was a much better produced programme. People who actually had some talent as well as determination, notably the JCB driver who I remember watching and hoping he was going to win.
Racing Rivals? A load of obviously rich (so they bring their own budgets) kids who would have been more useful at Wimbledon on Demolition Derby night. Crossing the finish line at racing speeds and carrying out an emergency stop with a car behind was one highlight.
It was obvious that Dalallio was set up, and I do feel for her. Although her reaction on TV probably didn't help her.(No offence meant) But then, the producers probably knew she would react like that, and most people would have done when they had been duped.
It was always meant to be televised, as they said at it's launch at the Autosport show, so they can't really whine about that one. You only have to watch this Reality TV crap to know that someone, somewhere will be exploited. The vulnerable (male or female) always will be.
I still can't work out how a transexual is a woman though. Can of worms yes, no offence again to said individual, but if it was that easy, I'd be booking myself in to Dr whatever, havin me bits chopped off and going to race anice little Mazda.
Good luck to all those women who have 'real' determination, if you want it that bad, you'll get it. Read the whingeing Brummie's book (Nigel Mansell) for inspiration and you'll see what is necessary to give up to succeed.
Flame suit on........for more Ammo, I drive a BMW, work for a Main Dealer, and own a Ford Capri! I am not exempt from criticism!
Racing Rivals? A load of obviously rich (so they bring their own budgets) kids who would have been more useful at Wimbledon on Demolition Derby night. Crossing the finish line at racing speeds and carrying out an emergency stop with a car behind was one highlight.
It was obvious that Dalallio was set up, and I do feel for her. Although her reaction on TV probably didn't help her.(No offence meant) But then, the producers probably knew she would react like that, and most people would have done when they had been duped.
It was always meant to be televised, as they said at it's launch at the Autosport show, so they can't really whine about that one. You only have to watch this Reality TV crap to know that someone, somewhere will be exploited. The vulnerable (male or female) always will be.
I still can't work out how a transexual is a woman though. Can of worms yes, no offence again to said individual, but if it was that easy, I'd be booking myself in to Dr whatever, havin me bits chopped off and going to race anice little Mazda.
Good luck to all those women who have 'real' determination, if you want it that bad, you'll get it. Read the whingeing Brummie's book (Nigel Mansell) for inspiration and you'll see what is necessary to give up to succeed.
Flame suit on........for more Ammo, I drive a BMW, work for a Main Dealer, and own a Ford Capri! I am not exempt from criticism!
Coxy the Bear said:
I want to be a Racing Driver however was a much better produced programme. People who actually had some talent as well as determination, notably the JCB driver who I remember watching and hoping he was going to win.
The JCB driver is Neil Purdie - he raced in the Tuscan Challenge at Knockhill and was doing well (7th place) when the chap in 6th encouraged him to get a bit late on the brakes and both ended up in the tyre wall. He posts on here - and indeed his Dad has contributed to this thread.
The Racing Rivals series is a very different proposition to Formula Woman. LIke any racing it requires budget. Some people find it from Daddy, others worked hard to get sponsorship. Some had to sit out races when the funds ran out.
The standard of driving (and by that I mean how clean the racing was) seemed poor - but I think that is partly explained by the prize they were all aiming for - a fully funded and salaried works drive in the BTCC. They all wanted it and wanted it bad!
You get bad behaviour in all series from time to time. Just as you do in all walks of life.
griff2be said:
I want to be a Racing Driver however was a much better produced programme. People who actually had some talent as well as determination, notably the JCB driver who I remember watching and hoping he was going to win.
The JCB driver is Neil Purdie - he raced in the Tuscan Challenge at Knockhill and was doing well (7th place) when the chap in 6th encouraged him to get a bit late on the brakes and both ended up in the tyre wall. He posts on here - and indeed his Dad has contributed to this thread.
The Racing Rivals series is a very different proposition to Formula Woman. LIke any racing it requires budget. Some people find it from Daddy, others worked hard to get sponsorship. Some had to sit out races when the funds ran out.
The standard of driving (and by that I mean how clean the racing was) seemed poor - but I think that is partly explained by the prize they were all aiming for - a fully funded and salaried works drive in the BTCC. They all wanted it and wanted it bad!
You get bad behaviour in all series from time to time. Just as you do in all walks of life.
A couple of drivers in the series like Gordon Sheddon, Spencer Marsh and Andre d'Cruz were a credit to the series. As for Neil, both he and Mark became great friends.
Neil's story is here:
www.exchangeandmart.co.uk/motoring/magazine/f1drivers/neil2003.shtm
pablo said:
most single make championships have a detrimental effect on british motorsport though. they turn up in a blaze of glory and fade away noce the manufactureer has sold enough cars leaving the championships
I think your confusing marketing budget lead single make series that do as you say disappear when the marketing campaign changes. With the Rest of the single make series.
As DD said some of the best uk series are single make and especially where its single class thats where some of the best racing in the uk is
G
Your should also post on our forum too bolow
www.mazbagz.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=Ladies
No restrictions – freedom of speech
we would like to hear what you all think about this shame!
>> Edited by MaZBagZ on Sunday 18th July 00:10
www.mazbagz.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=Ladies
No restrictions – freedom of speech
we would like to hear what you all think about this shame!
>> Edited by MaZBagZ on Sunday 18th July 00:10
john75 said:
The standard of driving did not look to high and I very much doubt if any of the 16 could hold their own in Clio's let alone BTCC.
Pffff... maybe that's because the FW racers are novices and most clio drivers are experienced racers with limited budgets.
FFS... give them a break!!!
>> Edited by sennafan on Sunday 18th July 22:01
Well, I watched this 'reality' show tonight with mild amusement. Unsurprisingly, the series has got a lot more to do with viewing figures than encouraging women in motorsport.
At the end of the day, it's easy to sit in an armchair an whinge about the reasons that you can't go out and have a go yourself - well, why not? My wife has been racing for the last 10 years and on not so much on a shoestring, as the little tag thingy at the end of it budget.
In all that time, there's been tears, smiles and a lot of hard work. She built her current car - from scratch - and continues to race it successfully against MEN - yes - that's right, blokes like you and me. What's more, she beats them - soundly in some cases!
So delalio, I've read some your replies and basically, I have sod all sympathy for you and like it or not, you just sound like a spoilt whinger. Apologies and all that, but the truth hurts. Like when I (more usually her father) remonstrate my wife for giving away a place, or making it too easy for a competitor to get past (oh, by the way, despite being a racer myself I spent most of last season happily watching her race from the sidelines and giving my support in the running of the car). She may have a bit of a cry, but she soon straightens her back and gets back out there to prove to herself that she's got the gumption to do well - not expect everyone else to pave the way for her.
Fact: You had a race licence
Fact: It was not permissable in the entry rules
Fact: You applied anyway
Fact: You got booted
Sorry? I fail to see why we should all give you the emotional support you seem to need so desperately?
Get over it. If you're really serious about competing, you'll go and do it regardless of children, money etc. As said before, clubman motorsport may not get your face on the telly (although my wife has been in Pulling Power and 5th Gear so far) but it provides some of the most hard fought competitive motorsport out there.
Finally - a word from Hels, my wife:
"The reality is that there's no such thing a Formula Women. You are racing, ergo. you are a racing driver - not a man, woman, Nadine from Big Brother, whatever. If you really want to race then you'll do whatever it takes to get you out there on the grid (without selling your children perhaps - depends on the price really
). Good luck to all you girls out there who do race in the 'real world', but don't expect and special concessions, equality between the sexes works both ways after all".
At the end of the day, it's easy to sit in an armchair an whinge about the reasons that you can't go out and have a go yourself - well, why not? My wife has been racing for the last 10 years and on not so much on a shoestring, as the little tag thingy at the end of it budget.
In all that time, there's been tears, smiles and a lot of hard work. She built her current car - from scratch - and continues to race it successfully against MEN - yes - that's right, blokes like you and me. What's more, she beats them - soundly in some cases!
So delalio, I've read some your replies and basically, I have sod all sympathy for you and like it or not, you just sound like a spoilt whinger. Apologies and all that, but the truth hurts. Like when I (more usually her father) remonstrate my wife for giving away a place, or making it too easy for a competitor to get past (oh, by the way, despite being a racer myself I spent most of last season happily watching her race from the sidelines and giving my support in the running of the car). She may have a bit of a cry, but she soon straightens her back and gets back out there to prove to herself that she's got the gumption to do well - not expect everyone else to pave the way for her.
Fact: You had a race licence
Fact: It was not permissable in the entry rules
Fact: You applied anyway
Fact: You got booted
Sorry? I fail to see why we should all give you the emotional support you seem to need so desperately?
Get over it. If you're really serious about competing, you'll go and do it regardless of children, money etc. As said before, clubman motorsport may not get your face on the telly (although my wife has been in Pulling Power and 5th Gear so far) but it provides some of the most hard fought competitive motorsport out there.
Finally - a word from Hels, my wife:
"The reality is that there's no such thing a Formula Women. You are racing, ergo. you are a racing driver - not a man, woman, Nadine from Big Brother, whatever. If you really want to race then you'll do whatever it takes to get you out there on the grid (without selling your children perhaps - depends on the price really
). Good luck to all you girls out there who do race in the 'real world', but don't expect and special concessions, equality between the sexes works both ways after all".Hi Stig (CJ)
When you said your wife built her car, I suppose you mean LoCost? The delalio story is not straight forward and she was set up long before she got to "Stalag Cadwell". Originally there were going to 5 one hour programmes produced by HTV. Due various reasons these were then condensed into 1 one hour programme produced by Granada. Formula Woman Ltd is wholely owned by Formula Woman Holdings Ltd. The shareholders are Tim Harvey and Graeme Glew. I don't think it will be around next year as the FW Summer Series has already been cancelled. I am sure that delalio has already learnt a harse lesson and wants to forget FW and move on. Lets be possitive and not bash delalio, because she is not the guilty one here but a victim of reality TV!
James
When you said your wife built her car, I suppose you mean LoCost? The delalio story is not straight forward and she was set up long before she got to "Stalag Cadwell". Originally there were going to 5 one hour programmes produced by HTV. Due various reasons these were then condensed into 1 one hour programme produced by Granada. Formula Woman Ltd is wholely owned by Formula Woman Holdings Ltd. The shareholders are Tim Harvey and Graeme Glew. I don't think it will be around next year as the FW Summer Series has already been cancelled. I am sure that delalio has already learnt a harse lesson and wants to forget FW and move on. Lets be possitive and not bash delalio, because she is not the guilty one here but a victim of reality TV!
James
Your should also post on our forum too bolow
www.mazbagz.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=Ladies
They would like to hear what you all think about this shame!
www.mazbagz.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=Ladies
They would like to hear what you all think about this shame!
Gazboy said:
Lets be possitive and not bash delalio, because she is not the guilty one here but a victim of reality TV!
James
I'm intrigued, maybe I missed a post (which is possible), but how is it not her fault she applied with a race licence?
Hi Gaz,
It is all down to clever editing and the fact that delalio had already told Glew about the licence sometime before the elimination camp. It is a shame that the girls had to sign confidential agreements because then they would be free to tell the truth about delalio (Amy). We need to encourage Amy not to quit because of a bad experience.
Gazboy said:
A confidentiality agreement? For a race series? Hello? Is anyone there? Why do you think they wanted such secrecy (sp?-that doesn't look right), they didn't want anyone mouthing off before it was on TELEVISION! what do tv excecs want? Drama, why? it attracts audiances, why? because they attract advertisers , why? BECAUSE IT BRINGS IN THE BREAD!
Hi Gaz,
This agreement they had to sign was for TWO years! I am not sure why so long!
Stig. Are you THE STIG? Perry McCarthy? If so, I thoroughly enjoyed your book. I am not normally a reader, but my son Neil gave it to me when I was seriously ill in hospital recently. I couldn't put it down and the nurses were constantly switching off my light late at night, saying "you'll never get better like this" to which I replied "on the contrary, it's a great tonic, and at parts, I can't stop laughing". It certainly was an inspiration to Neil, who really appreciated what you had to do in the face of great adversity, lack of funding, injury etc., to get on in motor racing. May I suggest to Delalio and anyone else in Formula Woman to read The Stig,s book "Flat Out, Flat Broke". It's brilliant. The second programme wasn't bad, but can I ask, when do the girls get to race in single seaters?
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