Ducati Sporting Club UK > General > Idle Chat > Women in biking/racing?

[Lily]

Sorry for the long post, but I would be interested in people’s views on this.

How do you feel about women and bikes and women in racing?

Firstly my view – I believe that women should ride bikes and should also race and that they can be competitive to a certain level. What stops them going further is unclear, but generally speaking they struggle to compete at the ‘top’ level. There are of course exceptions but putting that aside for now. I believe if someone is going to race and needs support/sponsorship etc they should use everything in their power to achieve this.

But should there be segregation? Do you agree with positive discrimination?

This topic has been under a bit of debate based on a new venture being set up to encourage women into racing. An all women team with women only sessions at track days etc.
I can understand that some women need the extra confidence boost that they may not get with men around intimidating them, but where do you draw the line? How would it be if there were men only track days?

Personally I think it’s a good idea if it helps people, but the part that strikes me odd is the way these things are addressed. It is the aim to help women as it is often perceived they don’t get a fair chance against blokes etc and for some people there is a fair amount of ‘bra burning’ and ‘we are equals’ being bandied around. But on the reverse of this the selling points for the team is ‘women in racing’.

Now, I see this technique (and use it myself) in work/home and everyday life. Using the girly charms to get things done. What strikes me is how some people use this one minute, then complain about lack of equality in treatment the next.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think women should be discriminated again either way, but then I don’t run around pushing equality and feminism. I believe its all down to the individuals. There are plenty of women who do well in racing (hiya Jen )without needing to play the girly card. But then again, could they get better sponsorship deals if they used their feminine charms/looks to compete against the blokes results etc.

I am playing a bit of a devil’s advocate role on this topic so please don’t judge me by what I write here, I am just trying to provoke some reaction.
:P

[Edited on 20-10-2004 by Lily]

[Steve M]

I don't see any reason why women can't be as good as men at racing, it's just as there are less doing it there will be less who are really quick.
But anyone who has seen Kate Parkinson, Sandra Barnett or Maria Costello will know how quick women can be.
Remember Tarru Rinne? she put her 125 on pole for a GP.

I do think a race series for women only would be a good idea though, with the winner getting a free ride in something like the R6 cup for the following year as a prize.

PS. I've heard good things about your riding Lily - go for it.

[JPM]

.......Sounds like a great evening I'm going to have ! LOL!!!

[Lily]

Originally posted by jpmercer
.......Sounds like a great evening I'm going to have ! LOL!!!

shut up and get inthe kitchen boy


<Lily now goes off and hides before she gets a bitch slap for misbehaving> :P

[JPM]

Hahahaha....

[chris99]

I think it should be equal 100% !!! I think if they really are as good as the men then it should be proved on the track. I think women only track days are a joke!!! Are there any men only track days ? I think not!!!

I read an article in Ride magazine about men v women. In it the two girls were made out to be better/safer than the blokes. Later that day i was flicking through a girl biker news letter that my girlfriend gets (wima) and at the back was a piccy of the same girl (pink hair and all) who is setting up this girls only race team. It really ****ed me off because there was no mention of that in ride. It made out they they were just "normal bikers" and didnt mention a fact that i think would give them an advantage on a track test.

Women should be able to do anything a man can but not at the expence of other men! Would they get away with openly coming out and starting a mens only race team and advertise the fact that women cant even apply?

[Lily]

Steve

I beieve its a mixture of both or extremes of one or the other.

Theoretically it should not be about strenght as you only have to look at Capirossi to see that physical size etc is not imprtant. Having the strength and stamina to control the bike is imprtant but women should be able to match men in this area on a weight/strength basis.

I do believe that psychology is often the key reason. The nature/nurture debate will come into play. How many of the girls that you see riding bikes were brought up in a tomboy fashion and have always been into things that are not always girly.

I have this debate with myself. I would do anything to be girly in a really girly way, but my head just doesn't function that way. I have all the girly genes and i do all the right girly things, but i just cant be a real 'girl' no matter how much i try ( I should point out i have just been sta here painting my nails pink whilst waiting for replies).

But underneath all the tomboyish side there is still a genetic difference to how women will deal with something, particularly risk/pressure/fear. How we take that instinct and control it is what makes the difference.

[Lily]

Originally posted by chris99
I think it should be equal 100% !!! I think if they really are as good as the men then it should be proved on the track. I think women only track days are a joke!!! Are there any men only track days ? I think not!!!

I read an article in Ride magazine about men v women. In it the two girls were made out to be better/safer than the blokes. Later that day i was flicking through a girl biker news letter that my girlfriend gets (wima) and at the back was a piccy of the same girl (pink hair and all) who is setting up this girls only race team. It really ****ed me off because there was no mention of that in ride. It made out they they were just "normal bikers" and didnt mention a fact that i think would give them an advantage on a track test.

Women should be able to do anything a man can but not at the expence of other men! Would they get away with openly coming out and starting a mens only race team and advertise the fact that women cant even apply?

Chris

The girl is Susie and to be fair to her, she is working really hard at helping women who want to race so I cannot fault that.

www.bikegirl.co.uk

But, like you have said, it does seem odd that this positive discrimination is accepted. It is old news in some ways and is already prevalent in racism, the MOBO awards being an example. Music of Black Origin. How would it be accepted if there were an awards ceremony for Music of white origin only?

[Steve M]

And Katja Poengson

She may have found it tough in GP's but was quick enough to win the European Supermono title and won a few superstock races on a GSX750R.

And for biking in general, this club (and others) wouldn't be what it is without the input of many dedicated women.

[MJS]

Originally posted by Lily

But, like you have said, it does seem odd that this positive discrimination is accepted. It is old news in some ways and is already prevalent in racism, the MOBO awards being an example. Music of Black Origin. How would it be accepted if there were an awards ceremony for Music of white origin only?

Just around the corner from me is the 'Northampton Afro-Carribean Club'.... wonder what reaction I would get if I applied to open the 'Northampton Caucasian Club'?

Discrimination, including positive discrimination, doesn't work for me... I'm all in favour of women racing, but let's have a level playing field.

[Edited on 20-10-2004 by Urban996]