Better late than never, Sherry, LOL So do you mind sharing reasons why not? Have you done a trackday before? It seems there are alot of women that don't have the technical "know-how" or confidence to do one solo.
I would probably attend the female only trackday, but would definitely prefer a mixed group. Im not sure why any girl would want to ride with just girls..if its because the guys get a little aggressive, to be honest..some of the most aggressive riders I know are girls. Just because we are all girls on the track, doesn't mean that all of us are going to go slow and be courteous to one another out there. You would end up with first time novice riders on the track with licensed racers, that just can't help when that "racer instinct" kicks in. I just don't see that having a happy outcome :shock:
Hey Christi, Yep, I've done one track day personally (late last fall) but this is my 5th season riding. Got addicted, transformed my bike over the winter and now it will serve as double duty! Signing up for a Barber slot in May and looking forward to it. As for the reason for not wanting to attend a female only track day: hard to put into words really. Of course I like riding with the people I know and who enjoy the sport and I must say - all guys! Just my preference to be mixed... I don't know :lol:
I’m in as long as it’s in Midwest. I think organizing it around a regular track day might be good idea as well. This way we could also stay for the “all riders track day†and if any of the guys were coming with us, they wouldn’t feel left out, and could ride as well
While I'm not opposed to a mixed day (I've done plenty), I do think it would be really fun to do an all girls event! Yeah, we would still have various skill levels, but that's what different sessions/groups are for, just like any other trackday. I can't travel across the country for this this, but am in the D.C. area and would do anything within 8-10 hours driving or less. Let me know how I could help! I don't have a trailer, either, but I'd figure out a way to borrow/rent one. I might ask for a little help unloading it, though!
I personally would love to do a all women's track day..even though I have rode with my husband and friends and it doesn't bother me I would love to try a all women's day
1-My Vote is for a Female Class during a LED Type of day... I would say no to 4 classes on a regular weekend...
Devil's advocate...what is the reason behind the thought of an all female day? I have never heard anything but encouragement from the guys toward the gals riding. I would think the gals would be outraged at even the suggestion of having an all guy day. Don't shoot me, just asking...Tdub
Valid question. It's very difficult to explain this to a guy... I've polled TONS of female riders, and have asked all of them what their number one concern was when they did their first track day (also asked women that haven't done one yet--the answer was identical) and without any hesitation, every single answer comes back exactly the same: "I'm afraid I'm going to hold up the guys if I'm not fast enough." Although we haven't decided on a plan as of yet, an all female track day takes away that huge barrier for the girls, by making it a more level playing field. As an example, if I drop my bike on the ground in a parking lot with a bunch of girls around me, it's kind of funny. If I drop it around a bunch of guys, it's a whole different story. It's embarrassing and I feel incompetent. It's a strongly male-dominated sport. Women can feel like (at worst) intruders or (at best) guests at "your" track. We want women to feel like it's their track too! At the end of the day, women represent the fastest growing segment of the motorcylcing industry, and actually outspend men. At STT and ST Girl, our goal is to provide whatever support our female customers are looking for, and whatever they need to succeed. ...And keep in mind, our goal is NOT to segregate, but rather to incorporate women in this sport...whatever it takes to make them feel comfortatble, we will do. Christi
Simple answer. Do a 4 group format at some track days. Only problem is you will have folks at different skill levels. But you could also let them sign up in any other group if they didnt want to ride in the women's group. That would help with your issue. The ones not wanting to hold folks up would have the track to themselves. The more advanced riders could sign up in another group.
It also sounds like there are a lot of guys that need to lighten up as far as your example goes. My wife dropped my bike at Nashville a few years back. She was helping me put it on stands and she tipped it over. What happened? Not one thing.
I think its a good idea and would serve as a stepping stone to get more female riders to the track. I have talked to several girl riders over the years that would like to give it a shot, but don't like the male egos. If enough people could gather for it, I think it would be a great success and word of mouth will carry fast between female riders. Also, as a guy, I would think it would be a blast just hanging and helping at the track. After all, how many of our significant others just come to the track with us, don't ride and ask for nothing in return. Its all about the atmosphere my friends.....way better than my day job!
"if I drop my bike on the ground in a parking lot with a bunch of girls around me, it's kind of funny. If I drop it around a bunch of guys, it's a whole different story." there is a video on youtube of a, well, lets just say veteran male rider dropping his R1 on the grid. pretty funny stuff! well, there used to be anyway... i can't find it
I have an idea that might work for a mixed (boys/girls) day but solve the speed issue. Host a SBTG day and combine it with vintage/lightweight day. In other words, NO SBK's of the 600/800/1k variety. Just a thought that mixing the girls with some the popular (but underpowered) bikes might fill the grid. Plus, many riders might have an older bike, supermoto, or ??? that they might want to ride on track vs their CBR/R1-6/GSXR????