How come women do not dominate indycar or similiar motorsports events ?

Question

Where the cars are fixed (all the same).

Weighing 100 lbs a female race car driver has an advantage over her male peers of anywhere between 40 and 70 lbs (I doubt there are competitive drivers in indycar closing in on 200lbs but I could be wrong). If her skills are only roughly competitive a female driver should place in the top 5 every race. Are bodyweight advantages balanced out in some way by adding weight to the car ? Or is there some other reason women do not dominate indycar ?

And yes and advantage of 40 - 70 lbs makes that much of a difference in fact, it makes a HUGE difference.

Answer 1

This is basically the same argument over women jockeys. I think ultimately talent wins out over weight advantages.

Answer 2

IRL rules  require all cars weigh the same. No weight advantage there.

Women are taditionally raised different than men and it's the parents that determine how women will be trained for certain jobs etc.

In the case of Danica's parents, they had the good sense to let her do what she liked. She wasn't the first by any means. She had the good luck to start in European open whell racing and has now transitioned into the premier American open wheel series.

Answer 3

because there a bit out-numbered

Answer 4

All the cars have to weight the same this year. Before tech inspection the cars are weighed along with the driver. If the car is light then they add weight to it.

Answer 5

I think that the biggest obstacle a woman faces in the ICS is "The Good Old Boys' Club".

The rest of the stuff is just fluff.

Answer 6

First, there aren't that many women competing.  And, going at those speeds with so many drivers on the track, every little bobble can get you knocked out.  And, then, you are depending on a vehicle you never seem to be able to set up exactly as needed.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/irl... talks about the new rule to add weight to the cars of lighter drivers.

Remember, my mom was 4'11 3/5" and she couldn't see over the steering wheel.  Danica's arms are shorter, she has less strength than a man who is 5' 10", yet she keeps up.  I think that's because she's a better driver.

Answer 7

people need to stop looking at things in this point of view. it doesnt matter if youre a "male driver" or "female driver"  look at the person as just ANOTHER DRIVER!!!

this c*rap about weight..

i think talent overshadows that nonsense.

no you really need to inform yourself. theres a lot more to indycar than weight. if weight played such a massive role there would be rules about it.