Natalie Decker Racing: Race Cars, Women, And Changes

By Martha Brown


In most circumstances, industries that tend to be dominated by men tend to stay that way and change comes in a manner that is slow and with a lot of pushback. But there is an exception to the norm and that comes in the form of females behind the steering wheel as Natalie Decker Racing. And why are they making their presence known.

In this modern age, however, there has been changing, but not much since men still make up the majority but with changing attitudes the foot in door inserted by Camille du Gast back in 1901 is about to get even bigger with more and more people taking an interest in female motorsports.

Being different in any industry has its perks and its pitfalls, regardless of whether you drive really fast around corners for a living or feeding hay to racehorses. The biggest negative associated with a woman on the track could be that there s always a need to prove yourself, even when they have established themselves to be the best at what they do by competing at the very best level that their industry has to offer. An unnecessary hurdle men don t have to jump over.

But even though this obstacle, females have found a way to get around it. One of which is through mentorship by a male colleague. But more and more women who enjoy cars have found solace in male friends and colleagues who can grant them access to this otherwise enchanted but backward thinking realm made up of 40 something-year-old men set in their ways.

As things currently stand, its easier for a woman interested in motorsports, who want to play an active part in the sport to get there through mentorship via a male colleague. That s not to say a female that doesn t have a male to get her in the door won t make it, but the fact is that it will take longer. But regardless of sex, color, religion or creed one thing always remains a constant. Hard work pays off.

At some point, females will no longer need to prove themselves behind the wheel despite being professionals with plenty of experience with going around a corner 100 mph or more. Because if truth be told, that is one hurdle that still plagues the professional race car driver who so happens to be female. An unnecessary barrier that does not exist for her male counterparts despite both being professionals.

One thing female race car drivers regardless of what league they happen to drive in can t avoid is the scrutiny that comes racing. Your every move is under the microscope and all mistakes are usually attributed to sex rather than skill. But those same disadvantages, make it easier to break out and stand out in their field of expertise.

Having more and more woman takes an interest in race cars and the act of racing means that the sport can undergo a much-needed transformation than the current trajectory it s currently cruising in. With the potential to make the sport a gender-neutral sport in much the same way as tennis is, it would be a foolish move by the FIA and other bodies to pass up. A new revenue stream all thanks to the collective efforts of female race car drivers doing their thing.




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