Thursday, July 5, 2018

Women In Motorsport: Natalie Decker Racing

By Martha Brown


Motorsport has been for the longest time been a sport where access to it was determined by some dangly bits between your legs. But in recent times, those without these so important dangly bits as Natalie Decker Racing Team, have made a compelling argument as to why they don t matter and what does is how fast you can go around a corner.

Even though lady s have been in motorsport since 1901. There notoriety hasn t taken off until the modern day and age where they have made their presence felt without the need to unionize or take matters to the supreme court. But with good old fashioned, pedal to the metal and breaking records in the process.

Being different in any industry has its perks and its pitfalls, regardless of whether you drive really fast around corners for a living or feeding hay to racehorses. The biggest negative associated with a woman on the track could be that there s always a need to prove yourself, even when they have established themselves to be the best at what they do by competing at the very best level that their industry has to offer. An unnecessary hurdle men don t have to jump over.

But even though this obstacle, females have found a way to get around it. One of which is through mentorship by a male colleague. But more and more women who enjoy cars have found solace in male friends and colleagues who can grant them access to this otherwise enchanted but backward thinking realm made up of 40 something-year-old men set in their ways.

But the current reality is that males still garner more attention and paychecks than their female counterparts. But it s only a matter of time before such a statement becomes a thing of the past as more and more females continue to race, they will bridge this gap that exists.

But as more and more females find themselves fulfilling their dreams, a new generation can find themselves with idols to look forward to. And ways to get into motorsport from a young age as it becomes more and more socially acceptable for little girls at the go-kart track, honing their skills. After all, it was once illegal for people other than men with curly beards to vote, but look at the world now.

One thing female race car drivers regardless of what league they happen to drive in can t avoid is the scrutiny that comes racing. Your every move is under the microscope and all mistakes are usually attributed to sex rather than skill. But those same disadvantages, make it easier to break out and stand out in their field of expertise.

Having more and more woman takes an interest in race cars and the act of racing means that the sport can undergo a much-needed transformation than the current trajectory it s currently cruising in. With the potential to make the sport a gender-neutral sport in much the same way as tennis is, it would be a foolish move by the FIA and other bodies to pass up. A new revenue stream all thanks to the collective efforts of female race car drivers doing their thing.




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