Milka Duno signed to drive IRL car

[MarcoCheever]

okay posters how's this slip by or did I just miss it ?

Indy Star reports that Milka will drive for Cahill racing any thoughts or info


http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006612150458


everyone have a Great Christmas

[DocF225]

I had read something a while back (maybe in Racer Magazine) that they wer talking to her about a possible ride but not much in the way of details about the deal. From what I remember, it sounded like it wasn't going anywhere.

[Okeefe]

Made my day, and good on her! I so respect the fact that she saw the importance of education (she has several degrees) along the way of her racing career.

[eliostar]

I'll believe it when I see it.

[Mihai]

Good for her. I follow her career since she drove in Europe for Vergani in the Telefonica World Series. It will be tough for her nevertheless. :up:

[jarrambide]

I don´t see milka as a fit for IRL cars, nit because she is a woman, but I just don´t see her as a very talented driver, but I´m usually wrong.

[pvtjoker]

It nice to see another entry in the IRL. Cahill is a good guy and it'll be nice to see him in the paddocks again. However, I have a couple issues 1.) Her sponor is probably going to be Citgo which is run by the Venezualan government and Hugh Chavez 2.) She reminds of that bad Mexican actress from the 1970s. Altogether now... "Akoochy, koochy, koochy".

[jarrambide]

Are you refering to Charo? She was not Mexican, thank god.
Citgo? I could never support a car sponsor by
Mico Mandante Hugo

[Alexamateo]

I don´t see milka as a fit for IRL cars, nit because she is a woman, but I just don´t see her as a very talented driver, but I´m usually wrong.

Come on Jose, I think she brings considerable assets to the series ;)

[Mihai]

It will be tough competition in IRL next year between CITGO and their future former partner 7-Eleven (Kanaan's sponsor).


On 27 September 2006 the 7-Eleven chain of convenience stores announced its 20-year contract with Citgo was coming to an end and would not be renewed. 7-11 Spokeswoman Margaret Chabris said "Regardless of politics, we sympathize with many Americans' concern over derogatory comments about our country and its leadership recently made by Venezuela's president. Certainly Chavez's position and statements over the past year or so didn't tempt us to stay with Citgo."

[canada]

Good god. How is the IRL supposed to gain credibility with Duno behind the wheel? I remember reading up on her when she tested for HVM, and while decent, she was far from any top-tier open-wheel racing. With the imminent increase of semi-talented hot female racers, it seems like the Indy 500's bubble day will soon be replaced by by a wet t-shirt contest: booble day.

[Jag_Warrior]

I don't see milka as a fit for IRL cars, nit because she is a woman, but I just don´t see her as a very talented driver, but I´m usually wrong.

Even though I really like Milka, I can't say I disagree with you. She really hasn't been racing that long... barely 10 years since she first turned a wheel on a track - and she's pushing 35 now. When I first laid eyes on her (lovely form :eek: ), she was racing in Don Panoz's Women's Global GT Series... in '99, I think. From there, she's knocked around in everything from open wheelers to prototype sports cars. In the pouring rain, she actually showed herself to be fairly competent at Le Mans, driving for Dick Barbour - but later she admitted the experience scared the h#ll out of her.

All of that to say... I have to agree with you. She's great with fans of all ages (especially kids), but I'd hate to see her get hurt chasing the dream to drive. She'd be like Paul Dana, and the sport doesn't need that... and neither does she. Personally, I'd like to see her stay in Grand Am. She has no business racing at a place like Richmond, with no more experience than she has.

As for her Citgo connection... most of my favorite drivers over the years were sponsored by Marlboro or some other tobacco company, so I can't throw too many darts at Citgo.

[Mark in Oshawa]

I like Milka and I think racing on ovals will be easier for her physically then driving these cars on the road courses. You see it in the results of Danica. Her best results are on the ovals. I think she is a good driver, but I never would pick her to run the IRL.

AS for Citgo, well, ole Hugo Chavez will have his day where he wishes he kept his mouth shut. Maybe....the guy is just a blowhard with money, but in South America, thumbing your nose at Uncle Sam is an electable quality I guess. Venezuela, nice country, shame about your president.

[eliostar]

Actually I like Hugo, at least he has the balls to stand up to Bush. Unlike our Prime Minister, who gas his head up his arse.

[Mihai]

Actually I like Hugo, at least he has the balls to stand up to Bush. Unlike our Prime Minister, who gas his head up his arse.

Many Brits could say the same thing :) . I remember Hugo's visit in London this year. He is an international politics superstar!

[weeflyonthewall]

Many Brits could say the same thing :) . I remember Hugo's visit in London this year. He is an international politics superstar!

Tell that to the European settlers in Venezuela that are having their 100 year old farms and ranches confiscated for the good of socialism. Citgo is in a tough spot right now.

[weeflyonthewall]

I like Milka and I think racing on ovals will be easier for her physically then driving these cars on the road courses. You see it in the results of Danica. Her best results are on the ovals. I think she is a good driver, but I never would pick her to run the IRL.


Imagine Patrick, Fisher, and Duno, three women on the grid for Indy. Is TG looking to morph the IRL into a WNBA model?

[Jag_Warrior]

Imagine Patrick, Fisher, and Duno, three women on the grid for Indy. Is TG looking to morph the IRL into a WNBA model?

If he was smart (and no, I'm not "going there" today), he'd morph it into the NHRA... where women racers and champions are not uncommon. Both Champ Car and the IRL have this disturbing habit of bringing in women racers for their curiosity or gimmick factor.

I commend both the ALMS and Grand Am for not playing so much to the tune of "come one, come all... we gots one with ovaries for you to see over hyar!"

Call me an overprotective stalker... er, I mean FAN, but I just haven't seen that Milka can handle herself in traffic well enough to be in the IRL. No matter what I think of the IRL, I admit that it takes a fair amount of talent and skill to be able to run at 210+ in traffic. She's done her best in LMP2 and Grand Am. In the LMP1 class, she was less than stellar (to put it nicely). I don't blame her for wanting to go as far as she can go in racing, but I fear this seems like a quick trip to the hospital.

Sarah Fisher wasn't as pitiful as some of us Champ Car fans made her out to be.... probably no more "in over her head" than Katherine Legge is right now. But with that said, Sarah struggled to come to grips with what was going on around her much of the time (like at Richmond when she adjusted her bars the wrong way and walled the car). But in pure race craft, I don't think Milka is as good as even Sarah was early on. Milka is racing because she has a loving, doting husband who has mega connections in Venezuela - he is the Citgo connection. Hopefully he has enough sense to clamp the purse strings and keep this from happening.

Cahill probably just wants the large check she can bring, so he can get a car back on the track. Hopefully the IRL and Champ Car will learn something from the Paul Dana incident. Even if they're nice, neat and popular (well funded) people, having drivers out there who are CLEARLY not up to the task is not right.

[canada]

AS for Citgo, well, ole Hugo Chavez will have his day where he wishes he kept his mouth shut. Maybe....the guy is just a blowhard with money, but in South America, thumbing your nose at Uncle Sam is an electable quality I guess. Venezuela, nice country, shame about your president.

Guys, keep the political commentary out of these boards and take it to Chit-chat.

[indycool]

Jag, think we need to keep in mind that it's the car owners, not the IRL or CC, that are putting women drivers in cars. Indeed, NASCAR has a diversity program starting from the ground up and some of its major car owners are backing the Erin Crockers and Allison Duncans to see if they can make it.

The car owners that select women seem to do it for different reasons. In the case of Milka, it would seem like dollars are the case. In the case of Sarah, she won a pole and led races and didn't have any money. In the case of Danica, she was being brought along by Rahal and suddenly blossomed into a driver on ovals. In the case of Katherine, she tested an IPS car for Nunn, wound up in Atlantics, won three races and got promoted (some would say over some more talented male drivers, but they would say that about ANY of these women).

In the case of Milka, I, too, have reservations. I saw her run in the old Women's Global GT Series, too. Ovals will be new to her. She'll "get it" quick like Danica did, or won't get it at all, like other male road racers who came before her.

[Sleeper]

Oh good, another backmarker. I havnt seen anything from her sportscar racing that would suggest she is any good for such top flight racing. The number of reports I read a couple of years ago from the Grand-Am that said of Andy Wallace fighting for the lead, only for the car to drop like a stone down the order when Milka Duno got in the car and Andy having to fight back up late in the race. Not a good idea IMO.

[Subaru WRX]

Milka Duno in the IRL, so Danika Patrick must be aware, a great female rival is coming

[Jag_Warrior]

Jag, think we need to keep in mind that it's the car owners, not the IRL or CC, that are putting women drivers in cars. Indeed, NASCAR has a diversity program starting from the ground up and some of its major car owners are backing the Erin Crockers and Allison Duncans to see if they can make it.

The car owners that select women seem to do it for different reasons. In the case of Milka, it would seem like dollars are the case. In the case of Sarah, she won a pole and led races and didn't have any money. In the case of Danica, she was being brought along by Rahal and suddenly blossomed into a driver on ovals. In the case of Katherine, she tested an IPS car for Nunn, wound up in Atlantics, won three races and got promoted (some would say over some more talented male drivers, but they would say that about ANY of these women).

In the case of Milka, I, too, have reservations. I saw her run in the old Women's Global GT Series, too. Ovals will be new to her. She'll "get it" quick like Danica did, or won't get it at all, like other male road racers who came before her.


Hopefully the IRL and Champ Car will learn something from the Paul Dana incident. Even if they're nice, neat and popular (well funded) people, having drivers out there who are CLEARLY not up to the task is not right

Indy, I'm not restricting my comments to Milka, Katherine and Sarah... and they don't apply to just women racers. They apply to any and all drivers who are there just to fill a space or need. Because the driver demand for open wheel seats in the U.S. is currently so low, we'll probably see more of this, IMO. And it's CCWS and the IRL that approves or disapproves drivers, not the teams. For the right money, some of these teams would probably strap Bobo the chimp into a car and turn him loose.

And don't get me wrong, if I was running the IRL or Champ Car, I'm sure I'd promote anything and anyone who could draw a crowd too. But hopefully I would also establish certain standards and rules that would lessen the chances of an unprepared or unqualified person starting a race. But right now, both leagues have grid spots to fill ASAP.

A friend of mine who is big into NHRA drag racing thinks the other series' (and their fans') odd fascination with female racers is humorous. Female racers in NHRA are sort of common. So I see his point.

Erin Crocker... I was really pulling for her. She should have kept her eye on the prize. I would say the same thing for Evernham. Shame, shame, shame... :dozey:

JMHO

[jso1985]

Mico Mandante Hugo

:laugh: :up: good one

As for Milka, never thought she was a great driver in her Grand-Am days, surely she isn't championship material(or even winning material), but she isn't the first or the last untalented driver that lands on IRL, she will do great in a marketing point of view for the Spanish speaking South American market

[ZzZzZz]

-She's very intelligent and doesn't drive over her head.
-Her endurance racing experience will translate well to long races like Indy.
-She's been racing in traffic for years. Look at ALMS.

She may not be the fastest driver and this won't exactly be the fastest team, but don't be expecting dumb mistakes. And don't go thinking she's somehow at any more risk than any other driver in the series.

[Jag_Warrior]

I'll be happier if you're right than if I'm right, Z's. I certainly don't WANT to see her fail.

[Jonesi]

I have my doubts on the team or race happening. Cahill hasn't entered a car since '01 and wasn't exactly a solid midpack team then. The two car team sounds like a carrot to get the race scheduled. Street races are marginally profitable only after a few years, and it may pull local resources still better spent on others things.

[drewdawg727]

Indy Star reports that Milka will drive for Cahill racing any thoughts or info

...who?

[FormerFF]

She sure seems like an odd choice to me. She's not all that competitive in a much slower Grand Am car.

At last, some competition for Marty Roth!

[weeflyonthewall]

-She's very intelligent and doesn't drive over her head.
-Her endurance racing experience will translate well to long races like Indy.
-She's been racing in traffic for years. Look at ALMS.

She may not be the fastest driver and this won't exactly be the fastest team, but don't be expecting dumb mistakes. And don't go thinking she's somehow at any more risk than any other driver in the series.

She could surprise on ovals and do much better than Queen Patrick at Sonoma, St. Pete's and Watkins Glen.

[carrera66]

These results were from 2004-2005 when she was with Howard-Boss (a competitive ride) before she went Samax in 2006 (far from competitive).

http://www.grand-am.com/Events/SessionResults.asp?SessionID=202
http://www.grand-am.com/Events/SessionResults.asp?SessionID=397
http://www.grand-am.com/Events/SessionResults.asp?SessionID=510

[Mark in Oshawa]

I think Duno wouldn't be there without her money connections, but that is racing. Truth be told, she will add interest to Danicamania and unlike Danica, she seems to have a very pleasant persona, something Danica needs to learn about. Danica at times comes off a little petulant and spoiled, and I think many people in the media have overlooked that.

Females in racing other than drag racing are a novelty because in the end, driving a race car is more physical than people realize, and women are pushing the boundries of their physical endurance and strength in a race car. That, and most women choose not to race, which may say something about their intelligence!!!

No, women are no big deal in drag racing only because Shirley Muldowney came along and kicked everyone's tail repeatelely until they got used to it. No woman has done so in Road racing or oval racing. Erin Crocker and Sarah Fisher both raced sprint cars and won on occasion and did well. They earned a look. Danica, Legge and Duno have a tough road to go in their series. Legge won at Atlantics, Duno has a little sniff of winning in Rolex cars, and Danica has showed signs of racing well, but lets face it, none of the three are as agood as 3 guys you could name who don't have rides who maybe just need money. That said, the women in the series create a rooting interest for half the population, are popular as underdogs and are an interesting experiment for the battle of the sexes. None of these women are unattractive so I am sure that is part of the appeal.

No, Duno maybe isn't "deserving" of the ride based on talent, and I don't think she will make it either, but hey, it beats watching some nobody struggle at the back of the field.

Oh ya, while Iam at it, I didn't start the Bash Chavez stuff back there, I just commented on it. Any politician of any stripe who is full of his own BS will always get a smack from me, regardless of his political affiliation. A little open mindedness and free speech doesn't hurt anyone guys, but I can understand how no one wants a thread hi jacked either...

[ZzZzZz]

Proper sponsorship has been the number one element holding back women in racing. Desiree Wilson couldn't get proper funding even after winning a non-points F1 race. I can name several women from the past that were more talented then the current crop. Anyway, Danicamania broke a barrier and has created an opportunity. Hopefully this will stick. That means next generation we may see women vying for championships at the top level of OW.

Don't forget Milka also won in P2.

Statistically, it's not valid to expect a member of a small sample size to compete at the level of the best of a large sample size. It also isn't logical to assert a mid-pack driver isn't worthy of a mid-pack seat while ignoring all the slower drivers in the field. (I pointed this out on the other forum, especailly considering that Dominguez was occupying one of the few prime seats.)

This might be subject for a separate thread, but I bet Danica wins this year.

To be fair on the Chavez issue, you do realize that his bizarre and reckless behavior came about after he returned to office after he was ousted by a Bush Administration-backed coup. We made the monster out of the half-wit.

[pvtjoker]

it seems like the Indy 500's bubble day will soon be replaced by by a wet t-shirt contest: booble day.


Well, bubble day has been slow the last few years... ;)

[DRC]

"it seems like the Indy 500's bubble day will soon be replaced by by a wet t-shirt contest: booble day."

...ah, a return to the good ol' days. :D