Women in Racing Resources

Horsepower & Heels Resource center for Women in Motorsports! A great source for information - Books & Reviews, Career Spotlights, Personal Development tips, Conferences & Events, and so much more.

Sex sells, or does it? Courtney Force controversy examined.

July 11, 2013 // by Horsepower & Heels

Nothing like a little skin to get the controversy rolling. This one I’ve had my eye on since it was announced, waiting anxiously to see what reaction it generates.

Bold and Artful or Distasteful?

The Body issue is a yearly project that ESPN Magazine produces where it showcases various athletes in poses reminiscent of their sport genre, totally and completely nude. The idea, is that you see and appreciate the exceptional physique that these athletes have created with all of their hard work.

Many famous athletes have taken part over the years. In the racing world, Helio Castronieves was among the athletes featured. Two years ago, NHRA icon John Force was featured after his critical accident in Dallas. The gritty spread showed John’s scars from the accident and the years of abuse he has seen in his career.

But this year, John’s 25 year old daughter Courtney Force dons the cover of the ESPN Body Issue, and this has started a media frenzy backlash. The issue has barely been out a week, and already the internet is swirling with commentary around her photo spread. Some label it an “objectifying publicity stunt”, while others are appalled that their children’s role model would appear like this and called it a “huge lack of respect for the sport”. The crowd is divided, with just as many quick to defend it as great exposure at the mainstream level as those condemning it a desperate and feeble marketing attempt. The Body issue began in 2009, and has been a very popular edition for ESPN Magazine. Yet despite coming from such a respected news outlet and its overall acceptance in the sports world, the racing community is up in arms about Courtney’s involvement.

Courtney Force Controversy

Some very well respected, elite athletes make up the list of both past and present participants. Household names such as NBA Center Dwight Howard, NASCAR’s Carl Edwards, Heismann winner Herschel Walker, speed skater Apolo Ohno, UFC’s John Jones among many. The women include a wide range of athletes: US Olympic Soccer Keeper Hope Solo, Track and Field’s Lolo Jones, Tennis champ Serena Williams, Professional snowboarder Elena Hight, Roller Derby star Suzy Hotrod, the ENTIRE US Women’s Water Polo team, even a very pregnant olympic volleyball star Kerry Jennings Walsh. Do each of these athletes catch near the amount of backlash? Seemingly not. So why is it such a problem with the drag racing community?

Public Image Scrutiny

Its a precarious line that women involved with motorsports walk. On one hand, you are marketed and heralded for being uniquely feminine in a masculine-dominated sport. The media immediately sees a public interest story in the “pretty girl” behind the helmet, with driving and talent often taking a back seat. The obvious advantage is that marketing partners see instant coverage, where women receive attention and press regardless of finishing order. In a fiercely competitive and expensive arena like racing, drivers will use whatever assets they can to obtain sponsorship deals.

But there is a fine line to that. The pretty-girl dressed up with her helmet photo collage has been played out time and time again. (See, I’m guilty too.) Posters of hot girls in front of high horsepower cars line the walls of shops and tool boxes across the country, but put the girl DRIVING the car in that very same scene, and suddenly we have a problem.

Danica Patrick Maxim — Danica took endless heat for this bikini photo shoot.

This isn’t the first time this problem has presented itself. Think back to this FHM spread with Danica Patrick. To me, it looks great. Hot girl, cool car, and added bonus that she can drive the wheels off of just about anything. Yet, the release of this photo spread created a massive wake of those who felt it discredited her as a driver and made her just another “novelty”.

Specialty vs. Novelty

The attention gets even more critical once the initial story wears off. Women then are subjected to microscope-like scrutiny, and pressures mount for every rookie mistake they make. Danica had countless demanding her firesuit because she failed to win a race in her rookie IRL season. When has any other rookie been subjected to that type of ruthless benchmark?

Remember Ashley Force’s Seattle incident? It was her first pedal experience in a Funny Car, one of the most difficult vehicles to control in drag racing, and it got away from her while it was spinning the tires. Any other driver would have been told to chalk it up as a learning experience and shake it off, but scores of people questioned her driving capabilities and were calling her a danger to all racers, and whether she even had enough upper body strength to control the car.

That leaves the women involved in racing a tremendous burden to bear: you must constantly prove yourself over-qualified just to be present. I have seen personally how women are first regarded as nothing but a novelty, not taken seriously and pushed aside with a pat on the head regardless of how much tenacity and talent possessed.

A Double-Edged Sword

The age-old question still applies: why the double-standard for women in sports? Courtney Force has more than proven herself in the NHRA Funny Car ranks. She won races in an ultra-competitive class, was voted rookie of the year for her first year, and lead the points chase at several points this season. Why, after all of that, is a photo spread calling to question whether she belongs in the sport of NHRA Drag Racing?

The answer is that the “Good Ole Boy Network” is alive and well, and very difficult to break. Women often are passed up for much needed sponsor support. Lack of sponsor support equals sub-par equipment. Sub-par equipment results in lackluster performances, and lackluster performances equal lack of sponsorship dollars. So the vicious circle lives on. The idea behind coverage such as this is to break the circle, gain exposure for sponsors and thereby attract more support.

John Force Racing viewed the Body Issue as great coverage and exposure for their sponsors. They asked each of their sponsors prior to her involvement if this was a decision they would approve of, and all signed off on the idea. But what about other potential sponsors?

What do you think about the Courtney Force controversy?

Was this a good choice for Courtney or could this potentially hurt her image? Do you think that this will hurt her sponsorship quest in the future? How will this impact her image in the long-run?

Comment below with your views!

Women in Racing Twitter List

June 20, 2013 // by Horsepower & Heels

One of the great things about Twitter, is that it allows conversation to roll between racers and fans alike.

Women in Racing Twitter List

Over the years, I’ve tried to organize a Women In Racing Twitter list, that allows followers to subscribe to and support women involved in racing. There are ladies on this list involved in Drag Racing, NASCAR, Dirt Track, MX, Rally, and many other forms of motor sports. More and more women are getting out there and hitting the track, and I think its really important to share these stories!

Whether you’re a supporter of women in motor sports, or a participant yourself, these stories need to be shared to inspire and encourage others out there. Keep up with all the latest women in racing tweets. Take a moment and subscribe to the list: https://twitter.com/HorsepowerHeels/women-racing

The great news is, this is an ever-growing list, so if you see some I’ve missed, comment below with their twitter @ handle, and I’ll be happy to add them on!

Finding a racing mentor

August 24, 2012 // by Horsepower & Heels

One of the most valuable things that I’ve acquired in my racing career has been KNOWLEDGE. Drag Racing, and I would venture to say all other forms of racing as well, doesn’t exactly come with a how-to guide for participating. That’s why finding a racing mentor is key.

Having not come from one of the genetically-predisposed families that grow up around racing, I came into motorsports with a proverbial blank slate. I couldn’t tell you how to do a burnout, or what made a car faster when I started. I didn’t know a torque wrench from a crowbar. What was instrumental in my personal growth was an insatiable appetite for learning.

Researching Written Sources

Just starting out, its always helpful to be able to get as much background information as possible. After seeing the races, and deciding it looked like something for me, I decided to do some research. I checked with the track, found out the rules and regulations and schedules for amateur participation. When I had questions about improving my car, I sought out industry magazines: Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords, 5.0 and Super Fords, etc. When I was stumped about something I had read, I would hit the internet to ask questions on the Mustang bulletin boards (Stangnet, Corral, Hardcore 5.0, etc.) Sometimes that isn’t the most reliable of information sources, but it was a good sounding board to learn about common experiences.

Erica Ortiz in Top Fueler — I got the chance to shadow Top Fueler Mike Strasburg for a weekend. Always learning!

Don’t Be Afraid to Meet Racers and Ask Questions

One of the most intimidating parts of anyone’s career is that first-time race behind the wheel. Heading to your local track and getting a case of the nerves is completely normal. Everyone has a first time, after taking a few sessions in, don’t be afraid to ask questions of other racers. Most people are pretty understanding and helpful with first timers, and you stand to pick up tricks and suggestions, and maybe even a racing mentor.

Trade Time for Knowledge

While asking around at the track where I could find a reliable shop to install some new performance mods, I learned about a local shop that also was heavily involved in racing. The owner would patiently answer my questions and offered advice regularly regarding improving my times at the track. Because they also raced in considerably quicker classes, they allowed me to tag along to races where I was able to watch and learn what it took for this higher level of racing. I would lend a hand with small tasks… packing parachutes, cleaning parts, draining/filling intercoolers. Volunteering for an experienced team is a great way to learn important information in racing.

Eventually, that relationship led to a full-time position at the shop, where I would spend plenty of time being schooled on the mechanics and learning critical information from a veteran with years of experience. This type of information wasn’t something I could find online or by attending any schools, it was the product of years of experience and a willing racing mentor who offered to teach.

As a result, when I ventured off on my own, I had a great mechanical knowledge base. I was involved in the tuning and mechanics of the car, and wasn’t forced to hire outside help very often.

Imitation of Best Practices

A racing mentor doesn’t just have to be a driver or crew member. I sought out racing mentors in all aspects of racing: PR/Promotional, chassis and suspension understanding, and still others who helped in other forms. Sometimes, they were unknowing mentors: I’d learn merely by studying their teams and operations because of their successes. Others were as simple as having some key questions at the right times. Don’t ever be afraid to ask for HELP. Find someone who is at the top of their game, and see what they are doing to be successful.

Who along the way has inspired YOUR racing career and where did you come across your mentor?

Getting started in racing

August 3, 2012 // by Horsepower & Heels

There are a lot of different stories out there about how each of us find our way to the world of motorsports.

John Force's Racing family resulted in a future generation of racers — John Force’s racing family lifestyle resulted in a future generation of racers with daughters Ashley, Brittany and Courtney.

Some of us are born into the lifestyle, with parents who are already actively involved in the sport and bring those playpens into the pits for race weekends. For those lucky children, racing is just a part of who they are, it’s the life they’ve always known. Ashley, Brittany, and Courtney Force grew up with their famous NHRA Funny Car father, traveling the country one race weekend at a time. When each came of age, it was no surprise that they would all follow in their father’s footsteps with racing careers of their own.

Racing families such as the Forces are common in motorsports. The lifestyle continues on for generation after generation of racers, crew members and team owners.

For others, they come across it later in life. Maybe its a friend, or another relative. Some discovered racing because of mainstream tv or movies. Still others come across it on their own terms.

Getting Started in Racing | What now?

Erica Ortiz's first car — My first car, a 1990 Ford Mustang GT

Me personally, I had no family that was into racing. My parents’ idea of automotive enthusiasm was being religious about their oil changes and keeping it cleaned every Sunday. They had no idea where their little girl picked up an interest in all things fast and shiny. While most girls liked dolls and makeup, I was fascinated by RC cars and Matchbox cars.

When I turned 18 and it was time for a car of my own, I purchased my first Mustang. It was a 1990 GT, and along with some newly discovered gear head friends, I started pouring into magazines and the internet trying to find out how to make it faster. I joined message boards and would ask questions, and just submerged myself into learning.

On those message boards and through even more recently acquired gear-head friends, I learned that the local track had what was called an open Test & Tune night. Anyone could pay $20, sign a waiver, and take a trip down the 1/4 mile. My group and I decided to go, and after asking people a million questions and watching a few hours worth, I decided to pull up and give it a try.

That first pass (which if I looked around, I have that first timeslip saved somewhere) was a break-neck 15.4 @93 mph. But it was enough to get me hooked.

Once I started upgrading the GT with some mods, I became a regular at a local speedshop called Lugo Performance. I befriended the owner, and would travel to watch their class races around the South. There, I learned the behind-the-scenes of a racing team, and took lots of notes until I ended up working there for several years myself and launching my own career.

Regardless of how it starts, most of us agree that once we’ve discovered it and began our own journey, its hard to imagine life without it.

LADIES TELL US YOUR STORY! When did you know that you wanted to race and how did you get started?

Features Site: Female Racing News

October 8, 2008 // by Horsepower & Heels

First off,

WELCOME ALL NEW READERS AND SUBSCRIBERS!

Thanks for stopping by and supporting Horsepower & Heels! We really appreciate you, and hope that you stick around and enjoy life behind the scenes with Horsepower & Heels Racing as we are getting ready to annouce some big new things…. AND…. GASP! Get the CAR back out to the racetrack! (I know, FINALLY!)

I wanted to take a moment to tell you all about a new site that is launching, Female Racing News. As most of you know, I’m a huge supporter of anything related to women in motorsports, and FRN’s creator, Amanda Martin, is working to give all women racing a place devoted to sharing their news and promoting women in the sport.

FYI: H&H TV Episode 1 is the Featured Video on the site. 🙂

For those ladies involved in motorsports reading this, FRN is definitely one to add to your list. And if you’re the outspoken type (or like me, who never shut up), they’re even recruiting writers to contribute to site. (yes, look for my ramblings to appear in a future FRN article to be announced)

Non-Subscribers: If you want to stay up-to-the-minute on Horsepower & Heels, I invite you to check out the little subscribe box at the top right of this blog (and on the Horsepower & Heels TV page as well!). By plugging in your email, you will automatically be notified of new posts, so you never miss any of the action. Best part… its FREE! (and you’ll be helping me out with potential sponsors, so THANKS!)

Upper Body Strength: Fact or Fiction?

February 20, 2008 // by Horsepower & Heels

I’ve been seeing a lot of commentary on the subject of upper body strength and driving the nitro cars…. funny car especially. Seems that many question whether women, at a natural disadvantage in the upper body strength department with their male counterparts, are physically able to handle the demands of driving one of these “beasts”.

In fact, earlier last year, when I had my dream interview with Don Schumacher about the possibility of piloting the Oakley Funny Car, one of the questions he asked was did I think I’d be able to “man-handle” the “beast” down the track, and that it was something he found concerning about women driving in funny car. It threw me off, and it was a question that never driving one, I couldn’t guarantee the answer for, and coming from one of the most knowledgeable people in the industry, it rattled me. Sure, if desire could move mountains, I’d be able to steer one with my pinkie and my eyes closed, but would it be a real problem??

Being that I want to best prepare for any possible opportunities, I’ve beefed up my training regimine in the upper body section, just in case. But as an aspiring driver, its a question that I’d like to know the REAL answer to. There has been more than one woman to pilot a funny car, and none I would consider to be overly-built in that area of strength (re: none of them were amazons or anything like that). Yes, women do have less upper body strength than males by nature, but is it really a cause for concern as many imply, on their ability to control the cars at speed?

It was a question that was largely repeated last year for Ashley Force entering the Funny Car Gentleman’s club. She had risen from the Top Alcohol Dragster ranks, and stories circulated about her inability to get the car down the track. That talk increased after her incident in Seattle. But was this more a case of a learning rookie driver or a direct result of lacking upper body strength?

Though I have never spoken to Ashley, nor do I know anyone with inside answers to any of these questions as it pertains to her, I do think we saw some truth to the struggles she had on episode #5 of Driving Force as she was getting her license. But, as I mentioned in my comparison then, I took it more to be the differences between men and women in how we approach learning something different. Women are more cautious, and use our “feel” a little more. Men, just strap in, hold on, and go about it with a more wild abandon. Melanie further backed up my feelings on it in her recent interview. Get us used to it a little more gradually, let us learn what it is we are feeling, and we’re on even footing.

Perhaps Melanie Troxel will be the better indicator as the latest female to enter the funny car world. Melanie was already a respected driver in Top Fuel, and although she seems much smaller in person than her website lists her 5’9″ 129lbs. frame, she definitely would be comparable in size to your average woman. Its too early to judge her driving at once race into the season, but her initial comments seems to disprove the myth of upper body strength being a major hurdle.

“I’d say when you’re actually driving and going down the track it’s not something that enters my mind, I can’t actually sit there and think, ‘Wow I can’t. This is hard to do.” Troxel said.
It’s definitely harder but I don’t think it’s so much harder that somebody couldn’t overcome it if they wanted to do that you could pretty easily.”

Either way, I’m not taking any chances. I’ll continue to go through the extra motions of beefing-up-the-up-top and make it a non-issue.

Source: Competition Plus

NHRA Sisterhood debunked

February 16, 2006 // by Horsepower & Heels

I root for the ladies in our sport, and in all motorsports. I think that there is a bond of sorts that being the minority in motorsports creates as a female driver. No matter what level, many women are the subconscious victim of prejudice of gender… despite the fact that the racecar knows nothing of what sex pilots it down the track surface. We have all faced these prejudices as women trying to advance, trying to gain the same respect for our driving abilities as our male counterparts seem to earn more readily. I’m elated that Melanie Troxel took the first win of the season in Top Fuel. There have been others before her, but it reinforces Melanie’s talent and ability again to the public. She has a top-notch win-capable team, and she executed as a driver. That combination is what it takes to get the win. But it wasn’t always that way.

I was a bit saddened to read a recent interview with Troxel, where she completely downplayed her gender to the press, adding that fellow female racers “…they’re just competitors.” Now, I understand her argument. Female drivers want to be noticed for their driving talent, and not for their gender alone. I can appreciate her goals when she says: “I think we’ve all worked so hard at being accepted as racers and not (have it) based on the fact that we’re female, that we want to be taken seriously just as the other competitors out there, it kind of goes against that to then turn and make (their gender) such a big issue. It’s not a huge rivalry where we’re all out to get each other, but I don’t think we go out of our way to make any special bond.” But in reality, it simply doesn’t work that way.

Troxel, herself, has felt this. The writer points out for us that she sat on the backburner with Prudhomme for the most 2005 season, and was unsure of her career progression. She had proven her talent with a driving stint for Schumacher in 2000, yet still had not secured a full time ride, until Schumacher picked her up again at the end of 2005. “Melanie is a unique personality, a beautiful lady that’s a talented driver, and she needs to be out here racing. She’s always been a good driver and does a good job,” Schumacher said of his decision to hire Troxel. Her win this weekend, as a relatively new member of the Schumacher team, emphasizes her talent. The respect she has earned as a driver (gender aside) is undeniable. But I feel she has too quickly forgotten the struggles that she, and all other women in the sport have faced (and sometimes continue to face) in their careers. Why not support and mentor the very cause that you took part in for so many years instead of refuting it? Don’t get me wrong, I do not agree with exploiting your sex to further your career, but I also have pride in the very thing that makes us unique, and the struggles we each overcome to get there.

I hope that when I realize my dream of driving in Top Fuel, I will be able to actively champion the cause of women in motorsports. I would like nothing more than to help other women achieve their goals, as I have fought and been blessed enough to pursue over the years myself.