Debate – Women competing in all female Series vs gendered racing – what’s the verdict? To answer such a question, facts are needed to ascertain why women decide to race disciplines which are all female grid or mixed gender, what circumstances influence decisions, and what are the advantages of choosing one over the other – if any?
Taking into account that Women choose to compete in varying Motorsport disciplines based on their passion, talent and skills for chosen sport, the format for racing remains under organizers discretion, along with Federation rules and regulations.
For Women competing in single-seater/Formula racing, opportunities to climb the ranks from Karting, to Regional F4 Championships and above compete in both mixed grid to all female line-up as in the case of WSeries run from 2019 to 2022, and the current F1 Academy.
The current 15 women racing F1 Academy Series across 7 Rounds brings together several objectives of raising the levels of performance of women, albeit against the same gender. All women sustain pressure to deliver results, experience learning of skills on track and within Team environment, along with pushing themselves outside comfort zones knowing that such an opportunity may or may not be there next season.
Pundits would argue that women competing in F4/F3 Championships gain necessary skill base from racing against male counter-parts, proving their worth for future race opportunities. Facts state that no matter who puts the helmet on, the driver delivering pointy end results will gain leverage over competition, no matter which gender they are.
To a large extent, all-female formula Series has opened the door for women’s progression in single-seater racing. For British driver Jamie Chadwick, winning WSeries Championship 3x over was major stepping stone to next career move, which resulted in signing with Andretti Autosport to race Indy NXT Series for 2023. From initial settling in period, to finishing P8 in Round 9 at the weekend, Jamie has transformed her skills behind the wheel against all-female grid and currently as sole woman competing with 23 equally competitive male driver’s.
Women World Motocross Championship remain the pinnacle Series for female rider’s to deliver best possible performance over 6 Rounds at selected venues of MXGP. With 40 gate line-up, these woman have developed skills from grass-roots, to Regional, National, and International level invariably racing against guys and girls in their respective classes.
In fact, Women making the transition from riding minis, to 450cc bikes more often than not pit themselves against racing the guys. Take for example the trajectory pathway of Dutch rider Lotte van Drunen who currently stands P3 overall in 2023 WMX. Lotte made calculated decision to race against all male class in Motocross European Championship in 2021, with best finish of P10 in Round 7, Race 2 at Lommel.
Equally, Courtney Duncan, WMX Champion 3x founded her MX career competing against the guys at home in NZ. Early success was gained racing FIM Junior World MX Championship in 2009 in 85cc class, claiming 3rd, followed by racing America’s Junior Nationals at Ponca City, winning the girls 65cc – 85ccc class and in 2011 taking 3rd in 85cc – 150cc stock class against the guys.
The decisions to race against males was more circumstantial for CD, but for Lotte, the intention was to gain self-belief and confidence, battling against any rider under the helmet. And it worked. Courtney made debut entry in WMX Championship in Qatar in 2016, winning both motos, having never raced in Europe, and Lotte nailed first WMX win in her first race this season, at the Opening Round in Sardenia.
So, what’s the verdict? Is there one size fits all in planning a Motorsport career for women, or is there a blueprint that states how to progress up the ladder when situations, circumstances, rules and restrictions define how, when, and where to race? The upshot rests with competitor choice. When faced with an open door for opportunity to learn, advance skill-set, gain experience, traction, and leverage in most competitive of sports world-wide, gender takes a back seat, as forward momentum takes hold.
Header photo: Lotte van Drunen Image: Lotte.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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