Fairly Complete Collection of Comments

Comments

Here are excerpts from many of the comments we've received from women drivers and others

"How exciting! I accidentally ran into your web site and saw somebody that races at the same track as I do on the site."

G.F. - Virginia

"Hi! I race Sprint Cars in Central Pennsylvania. I am in my second year of full sprint car racing. (410 ci engines, just like the "World of Outlaws") I raced Micro Sprints for five years prior to the sprint cars. This year in August I became the fourth woman to qualify with the "World of Outlaws" at Hagerstown Speedway. I am interested in becoming part of Distant Thunder."

C.K. - H.B., PA.

"I am also a lady racer. I race in the Mini-stock division at C.C. Speedway in Corpus Christi, Texas. I am a member of Port Aransas Motor Sports and race with and against a teammate Pappy Greene and his racing daughter, Jennifer Greene."

B.J. - P.A., TX

"I do Solo II events with the Blue Ridge Region SCCA and I've also attended one National Tour event. In 1994 and 1995, I was the CPL champion in Blue Ridge Region and was chosen as the BRR Soloist of the Year in 1995 as well. I also do bracket drag racing at a local drag strip. I am about to attend my first SCCA club racing drivers' school this October so that I can race my ITC prepared Ford Escort at Summit Point Raceway."

K.K. - B.R.

"PLEASE KEEP ME ON YOUR MAILING LIST...FINALLY A MAILING LIST THAT I WANT TO BE ON! I LOVE RACING AND READING ABOUT IT....THANKS"

G.D. - AOL

"Wow! How great this is! Now I have a reason to be on the web. Been here an hour or so and it's great. I enjoy what I see."

B.J. - AOL

"Wow! Thanks for giving me an outlet! I love racing (driving, watching, reading about it, etc.) A website especially for women in racing is LONG overdue - you have a great thing going here. Keep up the good work."

M.A.L. - PA

"Thanks for the info on women in racing. I managed two stock car race tracks in New England for three years and still have a passion for the sport."

C. - AOL

"I live in San Jose, California, and have for the last 20++ years (I'm not telling...), and am an avid race fan. As a child, my hero was Shirley Muldowney, Don the Snake, etc. Never missed an Indy. At sixteen, I was fortunate enough to be able to drive the drag strip, turn an impressive 12.4 (and watch our mechanic later blow the engine) at Fremont-Baylands (the best of the 'badlands') before the sun set on the track. I miss it dearly. We need more women on the track. The local circuit here has seen a few women, but the 'Old Boys' are real idiots. They don't like the competition and will, at almost any cost, stuff a woman through the wall. I've seen it happen."

B.J. - S.J., CA

"I am currently a graduate engineering student who discovered a love for racing about 2 and a half years ago, when I first drove a go-kart. It was love at first drive. A few months later, I bought my own go-kart and have been trying to practicr or race it ever since. God bless everyone at Thunder Valley."

D.D. - Pur.

"I'm a reporter covering motorsports and would love to be kept informed of what you're doing. Had a woman win a track championship at the dirt track I cover last year. Not a powder puff class. She beat the guys!"

L.K. - aol

"I am part of a three car team which consists of my mom, dad, and me as drivers. My mom has been driving in SCCA for the past 4 years. She is currently driving a Spec Racer. Our team could be a great advertising angle because it is a Mother, Father, and Son driving team. Hope to hear more about your quest to get women into pro racing."

A.G. - Milwaukee

"I'm a 16 year old girl and I've been interested in racing for about 5 years. My dream is to be a race car driver and I'm planning on doing exactly that."

P.K. - Montreal

"I was really shocked and really pleased when I found your site. I think what you are doing is great."

C.S. - wtp

"I just found your site and wanted to let you know that I completely support your mission. I am an electrical engineer working in research and development with a passion for IndyCar racing."

K.A. - Boston

"I am an Australian motor racer, not pro, just happy to do it. However, I am a pro motor racing journalist. Need any info about us 'down under' and I will be happy to assist. There are very, very few motor racing females in Australia, but we that are, are pig headed about it."

M.P. - Australia

"I am currently racing in the IMSA Endurance Championship and working hard to make racing a career. Also, I would be very willing to help your efforts. Keep up the good work!

L.F. - Ohio

"I race my Dodge Neon in the local Autocross and SCCA here. I love racing very much and couldn't believe it when I found your page. Thank you for supporting women in racing!!"

J.B. - Kansas City

"I am so happy to have found your site! I am going to put a link to it in my own web page. I am delighted that there is a place on the Web that talks about women in racing. Please give my regards and congratulations to Margie Smith-Haas for her championship in the ACRL."

A.H. - New England

"I am thrilled to come across your web site! I really want to find my niche in the racing world. I would love a job opportunity which will put me back involved with road racing. Do you have a classified/business opportunities listing regarding positions in the field of automotive racing? Just a thought."

T.W. - UISM

"Just a quick note to let you know that there are men out there checking in on you. My wife races what we call 'Thunder Stock'. I've been trying to get her to e-mail a little bio of herself to you, but she's a shy one (off the track)."

R.F. - Saskatoon

"The more I browsed around in the ThunderValley area, the more excited I became! It is great to find a place like this. I love driving stock cars. I've only raced on dirt, but that's all that is available in this area. I am looking forward to all your e-mail and future events in ThunderValley. Thanks for giving women a chance!"

H.R. - Denison

"I like the page on women drivers. I would like to see some possible mentioning of minority (black, asian, hispanic) drivers. Being a recent SCCA drivers school grad (SCCA NER Formula Vee), and a black man I am disappointed, in much the same way I feel that women are, about the lack of opportunities. I always wondered if I could drive, and drive well. The school and the teachers at the schools (national drivers) proved to me that I have potential. Now it will be an uphill battle to eventually prove myself at a national level. Keep me informed."

J.L. - SCCA

"I am very interested in your program and your newsletter. I am single and 30, with a desire to race that I've had since I was 9. Nobody gave me a shot until I was 28. I worked on Formula Mazda cars while Margie Smith-Haas was driving in the Sports 2000 series against Craig T. Nelson and Lee Lucas. I have several pictures of her at Willow Springs when she took second after a battle with Nelson and his blocking (fun to watch) and she got around him anyways. She's a great driver! I will be doing a full season in the Formula Mazda pro series with full sponsorship (crossing fingers) next year."

J.T. - AOL

"Wow! A racing team, with a web site, for women! I love it! Yes, please put me on your mailing list. By the way, we have a little track here in Marquette called Thunder Valley Raceway."

D.P. - Marquette

"For me, auto racing is a passion. My biggest frustration is still the 'old school' men who think that since I am a woman, I can't possibly know anything about a car. I do!!!!! I hope to begin stock car racing this year (save, save, save!!!). If you need crew help, administrative help, etc., let me know. Have computer skills, engine skills, and desire -- will travel. I love your idea, and I hope you can hear me cheering you on!!!"

M.W. - Edgewater

"I remember when I was about 8 thinking that I wanted to be a driver, but there were no women drivers, so I would just have to be a starter. That all changed when I saw Lyn St. James win the GTO class (at Sebring). Since I was 10, I knew that I wanted to be a race car driver. My ultimate goal in life is to be the first woman to win the 24 hours of LeMans."

L.W. - Daytona

"I have been driving stock cars for six years now, ending in the top ten point standings every year. With approximately 20 wins in all. I drive at a local track here in North East Ohio. The difficulty for women to overcome is to have the support behind her. The way I see it is that we are all the same when it comes to racing. There is no easy way that I can describe the Rush I get from driving a race car, and hearing the fans go wild when I win a race."

S.I. - Ohio

"I am currently racing a Ministock at our local short track. So far, I have raced last season, and have raced only six times this season due to car problems. My father and I do all the mechanical work. Yep I get greasy too!!! Racing has pretty much become my life."

D.V - AOL

"I've been driving on the track for the past 6 ½ years. I did my first competitive road race at Laguna Seca March 30-31 and my second is this weekend! I'm currently racing an RX7, but my ultimate goal is Formula. Thanks for the website and the support."

L.D. - California

"I am a woman racer, (part time) and a full-time pit member for a winged super modified. I have been racing mostly in enduros on dirt tracks. My dream is to run with the outlaws. I come from a long line of race car drivers."

Outlaw - internet

"I am very interested in the direction your web site is headed. Being in the same situation as other women drivers, I understand the constant struggle for our right to race in any series we are willing to challenge and succeed. I currently own a sportsman stock car and race at Willow Springs International Raceway in Rosemond, Ca.

Our series is a unique venue of road racing stock cars, and yes they turn left and right! The course itself is 2.5 miles of high speed turns, elevation changes, and awsome sweepers that will launch the best of cars off trecherous turn nine onto the straight-away if you apex to late.

I would like to see more opportunities for women to drive at the best tracks in California. I currently belong to the International Road Race Association at Willow Springs as well as the SCCA.

C.R. - Rosemond

"I don't race now, but I did learn to drive on a local dirt track. It had rained hard and they needed people to run hot laps to try and dry out the track. I did it and went on to race in one powderpuff race. I loved it! I never got another opportunity, but I will always remember the feeling. I grew up watching races while sitting on my daddy's knee. He always calls me after a race to let me know the particulars."

S.H. - usit

"I've been a racing fan since Andy Granatelli and his gas turbine powered Indy car days and I've always thought that there was a tremendous body of untapped talent in women racers. I applaud your efforts."

D.R. - netcom

"I have loved the sport of racing for many years. My father was a top fuel dragster and I have had the opportunity to be very close to the sport. I have always had the desire to drive a race car, especially a top fuel dragster. I love speed and love to watch cars race."

J.D. - Michigan

"I don't drive. I'm just a dedicated motor racing fan. I look forward to seeing more women drivers in all motor racing. I feel, however, there is one obstacle women have to beat. Men get the chance to race for years, getting racing experience with sponsors behind them all the way. Unfortunately the trend for women that I have noticed is that they get one or two chances, then the sponsors pull out, in my opinion, not giving women the same chance that men get."

L.C - AOL

"As a daughter of a race car driver, I know the perils of being in the highs and lows of a racing career. A few women have tried to race at our local track, one right now in the street stock series. She is doing great, winning once this season, and beating her boyfriend most nights (ha ha)."

J.S. - Michigan

"Being a big fan of both NASCAR and Indy, I am happy to see the emergence of women in racing. I would greatly appreciate it if you would respond, and give me some more information about your organization."

C.J. - East Lansing

"I'm happy to see someone concentrating on female drivers. I, myself, raced in SCCA Solo II local competition last summer and found that I liked it very much. Good luck!!"

K.B. - Iowa

"Message to Margie...I was doing a little research on the net....and here comes an old friend....good luck in the coming season...KICK ASS! Great idea with the page.....keep up the good work! See you at the races....."

D.H. - California

"Please sign me up for the e-mail list. I'm a nationally licensed SCCA driver, but have no illusions about going pro."

B.F. - AOL

"It's a shame that women who are race fans feel so isolated. I am very glad your web site gives us a place to connect."

A.H. - New Hampshire

"I am interested in your mission as a management and marketing company for women drivers. I have recently become a car owner, and my driver, who is also a woman, has been racing stock cars for 9 years. Having made the financial commitment of car ownership, I am now trying to figure out how to market our team in order to secure sponsorship."

A.C.- WA

"Keep up the good work!! Thunder Valley is the best site on the Internet!"

S.M.B.- IA

H.R. - Denison

"I'm happy to see someone concentrating on female drivers. I, myself, raced in SCCA Solo II local competition last summer and found that I liked it very much. Good luck!!"

K.B. - Iowa

"Please sign me up for the e-mail list. I'm a nationally licensed SCCA driver, but have no illusions about going pro."

B.F. - AOL

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