Why Race? More often than not, over time, driver’s, rider’s, and racer’s confront their passion to race against the realities of making it happen. Goals to achieve short to long term plans to achieve progression in their racing careers butt hard against gaining finances, Team and Brand support to train, race, and make a living doing so.
Questions are raised by anyone willing to seek practical reasons to commit to a pathway which remains unpredictable, physically, mentally, and technically demanding, not to mention risks involved at competing in/on machines capable of extreme speeds over varied terrain.
Such rationality of thought on why race remains only one side of the coin. Surely, strength of character, self belief, and courage to follow pure desire to race in whichever chosen discipline displaces the need to control not knowing the outcome.
Take a couple of examples of Women who have taken the road less travelled in terms of fighting for right to race, no matter what challenges occurred along the way. New Zealand’s Katherine Prumm (now Oberlin-Brown) made decisive decision to train and compete in Europe’s Women Motocross World Cup in 2006 and 2007.
Back then, such a move for a young 17 year old to move to Europe and compete against the best women Motocross rider’s in the world was brave to say the least, considering racing in NZ was easier target, and so to was winning against the guys at National MX Championship Rounds.
Yet, KP was all about ‘being the best she could be in her chosen sport’. Whether Katherine was running, on the gate, racing against Germany’s Steffi Graff, French rider Livia Lancelot, or Italy’s Kiara Fontanesi, the young Kiwi sought sense of pride and accomplishment that she had achieved goals set, ultimately winning Women Motocross World Cup in ’06 and ’07.
Interviewing WMX Champion 6x Kiara Fontanesi on similar line of enquiry in 2017, it was obvious the Italian rider held deep sense of purpose to make dreams happen. Riding, racing, and competing for the win were part of Kiara’s DNA, so much so, the Italian icon has pursued her racing career post giving birth to two daughters.
Never fazed to push her skill set into unfamiliar territory, Spanish rider/driver Laia Sanz transitioned from competing Dakar Rally on bike, to behind the wheel in Car category, adding to list of racing career accomplishments which started in Trials GP in 2000. If ever there was a female athlete who continually pushes the parameters on making decisions which ultimately benefit the trajectory of a racing career, Laia tops the list.
Most notably, analysis on why race provides insight on principles of thought by women whose career pathway has been dominated by the unknown and uncertainties of achieving results on track. Rather than highlight who won, which race, and against what competition, understanding the drive, dedication, and resolve to race goes along way to forming a comprehensive account on how Women have succeeded in their respective racing careers.
From admiring the stoic athletes of Cristina Gutierrez, Ana Carrasco, Sandra Gomez, Camelia Liporati, Mirjam Pol, Sara Garcia, Annett Fischer, Merce Marti, and some, to addressing why each has pushed beyond the obvious point of – ‘it’s too hard to race one season to the next’ – Media needs to look behind the helmet to fully engage the reader.
Ask, how did Cristina Gutierrez manage to race and win Final Stage in Kazakhstan Rally in 2021 after she sustained back injury at 18 kms? And, how did Ana Carrasco recover from serious spine injury in September 2020, to not only race the following season but stand top of the podium in 2021 WSBK SSP 300 class Round 2, nine months after back surgery?
Equally, celebrate the tenacity of Sandra Gomez whose first female victory in 2021 Red Bull Romanaics Gold Class remains carved in Motorsport history, along with Spanish rider Sara Garcia’s sole female entry and finish in Dakar Rally Malle Moto class in 2021.
The fortitude of Camelia Liporati to compete in The Dakar Rally for 13 consecutive years remains remarkable. From winning Women classification in Quad category 8x, to competing in SSV, UTV, and the latter T3 Lightweight Prototype vehicle from 2020 to present day holds highest respect from those wishing to gain financial support to race.
If reasons to race were described as desire to fulfill ones potential in/on a vehicle, Media would be performing dis-service to the momentous task Women face to turn racing into reality of sustaining their careers over time. Careful scrutiny on individual females force of conviction to enter realms of the unknown, both on and off the track, reveal far more comprehensive account on how females have gained success in their respective race disciplines.
Header photo: Women in Motorsport Magazine overview The Dakar Rally Image: MXLink
Words: Sharon Cox.
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