2024 Rendezvous

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Max makes a good point about female engineers. Her name escapes me right now, but one such lady engineered Audi in the WEC and look how successful they were.

Are you thinking about Leena Gade?

[Peter Mallett]

That's the lady.

[midgetman]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Max makes a good point about female engineers. Her name escapes me right now, but one such lady engineered Audi in the WEC and look how successful they were.

I listened to a really interesting podcast about one of the Aston Martin strategists who retired lately. She is extremely talented and got there on hard work and ability alone.

I abhor single gender races. To get to the top you have to race the best, no matter who they are.

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[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by midgetman

I listened to a really interesting podcast about one of the Aston Martin strategists who retired lately. She is extremely talented and got there on hard work and ability alone.

I abhor single gender races. To get to the top you have to race the best, no matter who they are.

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Couldn't agree more...

I suppose it stems in part from the 'everyone has to have a prize' mentality that seems to pervade all today.

[bauble]

I agree that in motor sport gender should not count, however, any lady who could compete with the men in the Tour de France (for example) is unlikely to be he sort of woman you might want to date.

Just a thought.

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by midgetman

And I don't believe there is a problem with sexism in this sport.

There are a number of girl racers at karting and quite simply if you're good enough that's it, period. No one serious I know in karting worries about boys beating girls or vice versa, they're all just drivers.

…

That there are some examples of excellent females in the sport doesn’t demonstrate that there isn’t a problem.

Those are the ones that managed to overcome it or found the seam where there wasn’t one.

Yes, in an ideal world it wouldn’t be needed, but trying to give the sport an arena to kick start more acceptance is a good idea. It didn’t get off the ground like many a new series.

I’m afraid sexism (overtly or unconsciously) does exist in Motorsport as it does in every part of life. Without giving it much of a thought, you could probably find an example even on 10-10ths.

[E.B]

Originally Posted by midgetman

I listened to a really interesting podcast about one of the Aston Martin strategists who retired lately. She is extremely talented and got there on hard work and ability alone.

I think that might be Bernie (Bernadette) Collins. She is now part of the Sky F1 presenters team and is a great addition. I find her info in depth but simple to understand and very interesting.

She had zero interest in motor racing and 'fell into' it whilst at Belfast Uni doing a degree course in Mechanical engineering (which she enrolled on because she liked Physics and Maths). She became part of the "Formula Student" race programme as part of her course. That led to her applying for a graduate trainee programme with the McLaren Team, because it appeared on the notice board. She sailed through all the online and face to face assessments and tests. That was 2009.

Interesting bio on Wiki shows her progression in more detail than above. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernadette_Collins

[delta]

We have had several female students . Sure it’s a bit of a pain , two of them have gone on to F1 which is great . I wish I had kept a record of all the students that have been with me at Delta Motor Sport . They always say “ we will keep in touch “. They never do.

[midgetman]

Originally Posted by E.B

I think that might be Bernie (Bernadette) Collins. She is now part of the Sky F1 presenters team and is a great addition. I find her info in depth but simple to understand and very interesting.

She had zero interest in motor racing and 'fell into' it whilst at Belfast Uni doing a degree course in Mechanical engineering (which she enrolled on because she liked Physics and Maths). She became part of the "Formula Student" race programme as part of her course. That led to her applying for a graduate trainee programme with the McLaren Team, because it appeared on the notice board. She sailed through all the online and face to face assessments and tests. That was 2009.

Interesting bio on Wiki shows her progression in more detail than above. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernadette_Collins

That was her. I'm lousy with names so couldn't recall it, thank you. Very interesting podcast, lightened my run home one night.

I have one young girl driving in my team. She's OK, could be a strong kart racer and hopefully will move on to car racing. I don't think she'll go "all the way", but that's not because she's female, more where her skill level is set. It's really too early to tell. And who cares? She's having fun.

One would have thought that promoting female drivers would be a marketer's dream, but the demise of W Formula (? Can't even remember the name!) shows that motor racing money is more focussed on talent than marketing ability. I so wish Stroll Snr had had a daughter who wanted to make it to F1.

I haven't had any female engineers yet, I did have one apply but she struggled to lift the karts onto their trolley. We could have got round it but it seemed to put her off. There are several in karting though. Because they can do the job, not to fill any quotas.

[bauble]

Returning to Female drivers, i give you Sharlie Goddard, who competed in the Morgan Challenge series for many years. Sharie is/was a very talented, and determined lady, the Challenge is always hotly contested series and Sharlie was invariably in the thick of it going wheel to wheel with the best of them, and came within a ace of winning the Championship outright one year. Her talents were not for the series alone, but raced at classic Le Mans, rallied, and latterly a Sunbeam in historic saloon evens.

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by bauble

Returning to Female drivers, i give you Sharlie Goddard, who competed in the Morgan Challenge series for many years. Sharie is/was a very talented, and determined lady, the Challenge is always hotly contested series and Sharlie was invariably in the thick of it going wheel to wheel with the best of them, and came within a ace of winning the Championship outright one year. Her talents were not for the series alone, but raced at classic Le Mans, rallied, and latterly a Sunbeam in historic saloon evens.

And, despite so obviously trying to keep her distance and hide from you, she still managed to smile!

[bauble]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

And, despite so obviously trying to keep her distance and hide from you, she still managed to smile!

Magnetic charm, granted to so few, Mike.

[Lancsbreaker]

Has everybody decided they can't compete with Bauble's charm? No posts for over a week! Or were you all busy making sure you got your tax returns in......did mine with about 10 days to spare, so felt very smug.



Felt very old earlier this week when I had to borrow my (step-)granddaughter's Discovery to take a trailer up to Glasgow to collect the Hinda CRV I'd bought from salvage as a replacement for the Freelander I sold, which went to Ukraine....


Apart from the incongruity of me borrowing from her, it reminded me that its quite a long time since I did a 450 or so mile round trip in a day, particularly with a trailer in tow. Mind you the V6 diesel Disco, despite having 180+K miles on the clock, proved an exceedingly smooth and easy drive, although being auto wasn't markedly fuel-efficient Just given the CRV (a 2008 2.2 diesel, with a mere 218K miles) a quick trial run and it seems fine apart from a few random pixels in the info display......biggest problem is the handbook which is some 530 pages long - plus another thick booklet for the sat-nav/radio

[bauble]

Has everybody decided they can't compete with Bauble's charm? No posts for over a week! Or were you all busy making sure you got your tax returns in......did mine with about 10 days to spare, so felt very smug.

I had noticed that Lancs, and was worried i had killed another thread with trivia. Let's hope a few more intrepid souls will raise their heads above the parapet and let fly. The forum needs input, for us to make fun of.

Speaking (so to speak) about my charm, it has taken a bit of a hit recently. Being elderly brings all of the trials and tribulations associated with 80+ years, Katie a charming lady 'Foot health care practitioner', tells me I have nice feet, the lovely nurse who bandages my sore leg, says it is a good leg. Nothing abut my youthful good looks, manly chest or handsome profile. Are they all blind, I ask myself, or am I losin ..................!!!!!

[Lancsbreaker]

They are probably both short-sighted ladies, so can't see past your lower extremities on which they are focussed

[E.B]

Originally Posted by bauble

I had noticed that Lancs, and was worried i had killed another thread with trivia. Let's hope a few more intrepid souls will raise their heads above the parapet and let fly. The forum needs input, for us to make fun of.

Speaking (so to speak) about my charm, it has taken a bit of a hit recently. Being elderly brings all of the trials and tribulations associated with 80+ years, Katie a charming lady 'Foot health care practitioner', tells me I have nice feet, the lovely nurse who bandages my sore leg, says it is a good leg. Nothing abut my youthful good looks, manly chest or handsome profile. Are they all blind, I ask myself, or am I losin ..................!!!!!

Tell them you have a nice new shiny red Ferrari in the garage Bob...

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by Lancsbreaker

They are probably both short-sighted ladies, so can't see past your lower extremities on which they are focussed

One wonders just what they were focusing on down there...

[bauble]

I could point out that these ladies are falling at my feet

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by bauble

I could point out that these ladies are falling at my feet

I would imagine that the smell of cheese must have been overwhelming the poor ladies!

[Tel 911S]

Felt very old earlier this week when I had to borrow my (step-)granddaughter's Discovery to take a trailer up to Glasgow to collect the Hinda CRV I'd bought from salvage as a replacement for the Freelander I sold, which went to Ukraine....


Apart from the incongruity of me borrowing from her, it reminded me that its quite a long time since I did a 450 or so mile round trip in a day, particularly with a trailer in tow. Mind you the V6 diesel Disco, despite having 180+K miles on the clock, proved an exceedingly smooth and easy drive, although being auto wasn't markedly fuel-efficient Just given the CRV (a 2008 2.2 diesel, with a mere 218K miles) a quick trial run and it seems fine apart from a few random pixels in the info display......biggest problem is the handbook which is some 530 pages long - plus another thick booklet for the sat-nav/radio [/QUOTE]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think that when you have built up the experience of long distance driving , it stays with you .
Retired from full time work , [ which included a lot of driving ], quite a few years ago .
.A couple of years ago I delivered a car to San Tropez. Got going in France and thought " I am too old for all this again ". But after a little while got back in the swing and kept going .
Dropped the car off with the owner , started back aiming to stop and get a bit of sleep somewhere .
But didnt feel at all tired and kept going .
So towing trailer , left Calais on Thursday morning , arrived back at Calais with trailer on Friday morning .
I do know if I am tired , but for many years have driven huge distances and known if I have to stop to rest . So I think the experience is always there .

[midgetman]

Here's something cheerful. The Daytona 24 Hours has been and gone which to me signifies the racing season is upon us again. And there are daffodils out in our corner of mid Wiltshire! Yes, daffodils in January! I appreciate it's now February but I've been meaning to post this for a week.

Something to be thankful for, a cheery yellow smile as I drive up Church Hill. Spring will soon be here.



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[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by midgetman

Here's something cheerful. The Daytona 24 Hours has been and gone which to me signifies the racing season is upon us again. And there are daffodils out in our corner of mid Wiltshire! Yes, daffodils in January! I appreciate it's now February but I've been meaning to post this for a week.

Something to be thankful for, a cheery yellow smile as I drive up Church Hill. Spring will soon be here.



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Ooh you optimist!

No daffodils here so far as I know but I have got snowdrops in my garden & the birds are singing like spring.

[midgetman]

I don't think *anyone* has called me an optimist before! Please don't let it get out and spoil my carefully nurtured miserable persona......

Suitably grey and overcast today but still warm. Climate change is definitely here in Wiltshire, we've hardly seen any snow compared to say a decade ago. And the Monte is now a tarmac rally, with a bit of ice on the high hills!

Off to Lincolnshire for the weekend now, the wind certainly whips across those lowlands so I'm packing loads of sweaters........but I'll be doing my bit for global warming by running my gas heater in the garage With any luck I won't need it in another ten years

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[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by John Elwin

No daffodils here so far as I know but I have got snowdrops in my garden & the birds are singing like spring.

You've better enjoy bird songs, you missed nothing not attending our annual show. Would have been great to catch up but will be for another "occasion"!

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

You've better enjoy bird songs, you missed nothing not attending our annual show. Would have been great to catch up but will be for another "occasion"!

Yes, I'm sorry I could not see you but I had a very interesting week watching lots of live action on the motorways. BFM covered the whole affair very well. Their female reporters really enjoyed themselves riding on tractors. One, as they bounced across the fields dodging the gendarmes said it was more fun than the Tour de France! Anyway a big credit to them all. I learned a lot.

Not so sure about the Belgians - definitely more aggressive but I suspect not all were farmers. The Belgian police were really asleep though, that 1,500 tractors could make it to the centre of Brussels unchallenged.