Do what you love, not what you're told.
This time last year you might remember my topical post on Gender Gaps in Women's Motorsport. Well it's TT week again - and I've been blessed with the amazing opportunity of working with the team who do timing for the event. It's literally been the best two weeks in my working life by far, broken up in the middle by a quick stage race (more on that soon!). Anyway, I thought I'd follow up with a post on the subject this year following some conversations and observations made throughout the 2015 event.
For those of you who haven't seen last years post, or just don't know what the TT is - it's a motorcycle road racing event, one of the largest in the world, which has been held for over 100 years comprising of several categories - where riders are set off in intervals to ride a "time trial" (yes, just the same as ours in cycling) around the famous Isle of Man TT circuit. Interestingly later in the year we'll be doing a similar event on our pushbikes in the coveted Mountain Time Trial - an event which I adore, solely for the fact that it includes one of the best climbs, and most importantly, best descents on the Island.
Last year I covered thoughts on why it was there weren't many women in Motorsport, significantly so at the very top end of the scale. This being despite the lack of physiological constraints that we're met with in athletic sport. Many of the reasons concluded were really down to cultural problems - I say problems because we are still frequently faced with attitudes and behaviors, from all over the sport, that build up an intrinsic and almost unavoidable set of barriers for women interested in the field.
Throughout the year since my last post I have been observing the world of Motorsport, and the world of women in Motorsport, with increasing levels of obsession (it's always been there, it's just growing). Fortunately now I am in a position to make some positive contrasts, despite there not being any clear change visible to someone who might just be glancing at the sport, the changes are there and they are growing - much like in women's cycling.
The first and most positive growth I've seen recently is in a movement set up by a brilliant role model of mine, Maria Costello, called WOAM (Woman On A Motorcycle). Much like the training days that some of us at Manx Viking Wheelers have started to help women new to cycling, and those in England set up by Heather Bamforth and the Racing Chance Foundation; Maria's goal has not necessarily been to prime women into the sporting aspect, but to start at the very root of ability in the hopes of empowering women to be confident, and show them that it's fine to simply BE on a bike. This is such an important ethos in my opinion - sport can be daunting, and while many of us have dreams of grandeur - many ladies are absolutely afraid to take the first steps in even trying to start. We are a much different beast and it's important to nurture that. Yes we can be timid, yes we might need things explaining to us differently and yes we have MANY different requirements when beginning something new and slightly scary. We do sometimes do show our fear a little more expressively or externally than men. So it's not about pushing these women into cornering with their knees on the floor, or elbowing their peers out of the way, it's about showing them how to stay upright, it's about showing them how to fix a puncture but most importantly its about showing the WORLD that we are, while different, completely equal in ability to do whatever it is that floats our boats. To quote Gok Wan - it's literally all about the confidence.
In contrast, I've been thinking about why it is women who DO already take part in motorcycling, not sport, don't take it a step further. What are the barriers that prevent women, who are clearly confident in their ability, from taking their track days up to competitive sporting events? I've had some conversations with women in these positions and the issue is not that they're afraid of the competition (something that often holds back men from sport) but they're afraid of the judgement associated with it. Have you ever heard the way some folks (both male and female) in Motorsport talk about a lone female in their field? I have, and it's often not nice. The Chinese whispers start, the jealousy of being unique often prevails, these women don't deserve this - it's sport, not primary school. This is the nature of the beast, this is sport, we are highly strung egomaniacs and we WILL be assholes. Some unfortunately much more than others. So my thought is this - why combat these attitudes? This is human nature, we can't possibly be expected to take that on can we? Clearly not.
So what's the solution? Simple - to harden the fuck up. Those of us that have broken into sport, that have gone that extra step from beginner or leisure to combat and competition are not in a position to wimp out, lack of confidence in ourselves may be a barrier but it is no longer an excuse. If you want to succeed in sport you are absolutely required to grow a thick skin, take the cruelty on the chin, get your head down and do better. The saying that 'nice guys finish last' is a myth, the people that are assholes to make themselves feel better will almost certainly be in fear of your own ability to beat them - so remember that ladies, it doesn't matter what people say about you, it doesn't matter that your female, you just need to get on with it.
This is integral to Motorsport. Despite what anyone thinks or says about female biological and mental sporting ability - engines do not differ based on who's sitting on (or behind) them - the key is in the person driving it.
So in reference to last years post. Yes we need a culture change. That starts with making small changes such as certain event sponsors removing ladies from the press conference rooms and keeping them on point with actual PR activities (just to point out I have no problem with pit girls, they actually do help more often than not, but sitting them in PVC bikinis behind riders in their press conferences when the riders have just put their heart and soul into risking their lives somewhat belittles that achievement), punishing officials and teams who actively discourage women from the sport (you know who you are), the list could go on. However, this culture change has to meet in the middle - it has to be met with the responsible party - the women themselves.
Ladies, you ride a motorcycle, you drive a car, you like speed and you have passion. You are officially "big enough and ugly enough" to get on with it and force your way into that sport. Words, images and attitudes are rendered essentially insignificant when faced with true achievement and dedication. In Motorsport only these things matter - not the underwear you're wearing nor the length of your hair. Remember that.
.
I'ts time to level the playing field.
For those of you who haven't seen last years post, or just don't know what the TT is - it's a motorcycle road racing event, one of the largest in the world, which has been held for over 100 years comprising of several categories - where riders are set off in intervals to ride a "time trial" (yes, just the same as ours in cycling) around the famous Isle of Man TT circuit. Interestingly later in the year we'll be doing a similar event on our pushbikes in the coveted Mountain Time Trial - an event which I adore, solely for the fact that it includes one of the best climbs, and most importantly, best descents on the Island.
 |
| I got to meet Maria! |
Throughout the year since my last post I have been observing the world of Motorsport, and the world of women in Motorsport, with increasing levels of obsession (it's always been there, it's just growing). Fortunately now I am in a position to make some positive contrasts, despite there not being any clear change visible to someone who might just be glancing at the sport, the changes are there and they are growing - much like in women's cycling.
 |
| Training days - about building confidence. |
In contrast, I've been thinking about why it is women who DO already take part in motorcycling, not sport, don't take it a step further. What are the barriers that prevent women, who are clearly confident in their ability, from taking their track days up to competitive sporting events? I've had some conversations with women in these positions and the issue is not that they're afraid of the competition (something that often holds back men from sport) but they're afraid of the judgement associated with it. Have you ever heard the way some folks (both male and female) in Motorsport talk about a lone female in their field? I have, and it's often not nice. The Chinese whispers start, the jealousy of being unique often prevails, these women don't deserve this - it's sport, not primary school. This is the nature of the beast, this is sport, we are highly strung egomaniacs and we WILL be assholes. Some unfortunately much more than others. So my thought is this - why combat these attitudes? This is human nature, we can't possibly be expected to take that on can we? Clearly not.
 |
| Emma Morrison - amazing co-driver & amazing woman! |
This is integral to Motorsport. Despite what anyone thinks or says about female biological and mental sporting ability - engines do not differ based on who's sitting on (or behind) them - the key is in the person driving it.
So in reference to last years post. Yes we need a culture change. That starts with making small changes such as certain event sponsors removing ladies from the press conference rooms and keeping them on point with actual PR activities (just to point out I have no problem with pit girls, they actually do help more often than not, but sitting them in PVC bikinis behind riders in their press conferences when the riders have just put their heart and soul into risking their lives somewhat belittles that achievement), punishing officials and teams who actively discourage women from the sport (you know who you are), the list could go on. However, this culture change has to meet in the middle - it has to be met with the responsible party - the women themselves.
Ladies, you ride a motorcycle, you drive a car, you like speed and you have passion. You are officially "big enough and ugly enough" to get on with it and force your way into that sport. Words, images and attitudes are rendered essentially insignificant when faced with true achievement and dedication. In Motorsport only these things matter - not the underwear you're wearing nor the length of your hair. Remember that.
.
I'ts time to level the playing field.
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