Stiff competition for Danica

[mlj]

Posted on AR1



"An associate sponsor for the season-opener at Long Beach, Entergy has ramped-up its commitment to the No. 34 car driven by Simona De Silvestro in an effort to put additional energy into public awareness of nuclear power and build a strong recruitment platform to fill their ever growing need for industry professionals. De Silvestro, as a brand ambassador committed to a proactive university campaign, will aid in fulfilling these goals.

At Long Beach, De Silvestro earned her first career victory in the Atlantic Championship, becoming just the second woman to win in the 34-year history of the series. "

It would be great to see her and Danica battle it out next!!!!!

[NickFalzone]

I guess. Personally, i could care less about gender and just want good racing. That's why I generally defend Danica, because she's a fairly good driver. If breaking the gender barrier means a larger pool of great racecar drivers, then that's great for the sport. But competition between the women is kind of pointless to me.

[mlj]

I guess. Personally, i could care less about gender and just want good racing. That's why I generally defend Danica, because she's a fairly good driver. If breaking the gender barrier means a larger pool of great racecar drivers, then that's great for the sport. But competition between the women is kind of pointless to me.



Well we want more fans right? Since Danica is so popular, due more to being a female and less for her skills, just think of the publicity and interest it would generate having two competitive females in the series.

[Toe_Knee_Jorge]

he said "stiff" in a Danica thread now that's classic that's for sure

[vintage]

I vote this thread most ridiculous of the month.

[ZzZzZz]

Well we want more fans right? Since Danica is so popular, due more to being a female and less for her skills, just think of the publicity and interest it would generate having two competitive females in the series.


The barrier Danica broke through was of corporate acceptability, that mainstream sponsors can justify supporting women drivers. Corporate boards have generally been too scared to do so before. What drivers want is the opportunity to prove themselves.

[beachbum]

There was an interesting article about Danica! that was done when she first arrived in England to run Formula Ford. She was clear that her goal was to be a "female sports celebrity". Unlike other women in racing who just want to be judged as racers, she has always wanted to be a celebrity first, and has done everything possible to get there. Her popularity has been attributed to the celebrity status in many recent articles, and not on her skills as a driver, and especially not on her personality.

It is a shame, but perhaps a sign of the times, that real racers like De Silvestro, Legge, Fisher, Ashley Force, and other women are often denigrated or overlooked because they chose to speak with their right foot. Danica! achieved her goal of celebrity status, but that really hasn't translated into opening corporate doors for other women.

[garyshell]

There was an interesting article about Danica! that was done when she first arrived in England to run Formula Ford. She was clear that her goal was to be a "female sports celebrity". Unlike other women in racing who just want to be judged as racers, she has always wanted to be a celebrity first, and has done everything possible to get there. Her popularity has been attributed to the celebrity status in many recent articles, and not on her skills as a driver, and especially not on her personality.

It is a shame, but perhaps a sign of the times, that real racers like De Silvestro, Legge, Fisher, Ashley Force, and other women are often denigrated or overlooked because they chose to speak with their right foot. Danica! achieved her goal of celebrity status, but that really hasn't translated into opening corporate doors for other women.

I understand what you are saying but at the same time I have to think that maybe she understood the nature of the "game" a little more than the rest. I think it has been very clear for a number of years that the sponsors dollars dictate who gets a ride. The marketable person is the one who attracts those dollars, like it or not. I don't like it, but it is the reality. We all know countless stories of fast drivers who can't attract sponsor money being passed over by team owners. This happens at all levels of motorsports even F1. It is why schools like the one Lynne St. James runs exist. They teach up and comers how to market themselves. I fast foot is not enough.

Yes Danica achieved her goal of celeb status and good for her. I don't particularly like her very much but am happy she achieved her goal none the less. As far as her opening doors for other women, sorry but that is not her job. Her job is to open doors for Danica. It's up to the others to figure out how to do this for themselves. It is extremely unfair to put the weight of the female population on her shoulders, just like it was to try to put it on Janet Guthrie or Lynne before her.

Janet is to be the Grand Marshall for the Concours d'Elegance I help put on and I hope to have this very conversation with her. I'll report back if I do get the opportunity.

Gary

[JSH]

I'm sorry, but is it just me that thinks... "ooh Viagara is gonna sponsor one of Danica's rivals" when I see this thread?

[ZzZzZz]

I'm sorry, but is it just me that thinks... "ooh Viagara is gonna sponsor one of Danica's rivals" when I see this thread?

Indy Car fans don't need Viagra. They know where to market their product...