Milka Duno to Test for HVM

Snrub · 7 Sep 2005, 16:30 (Ref:1401514)

http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/champcar/19408/

Judging by Duno's Grand Am DP performances she isn't up to the task of driving a Champ Car. Andy Wallace (who is very fast) really seems to be carying her along. If anything this simply hurts the cause of women in racing. If someone who's not talented gets shots they don't deserve then it could create negative backlash.

Thoughts? Agree/Disagree with me?

Kicking-back · 7 Sep 2005, 16:40 (Ref:1401521)

It's just a test - there's next to no chance she'll be racing one.

I agree it would cause negative publicity - although it shouldn't.

Do Hiro Matsu****a or Marcus Marshall or Dennis Vitolo give male drivers a bad name?

enemy-ace · 7 Sep 2005, 16:42 (Ref:1401524)

While I don't think she is a great driver I do think she is good. I don't think she'll embaress herself.
She's no fool and it's good PR for the team.

ensign14 · 7 Sep 2005, 16:46 (Ref:1401530)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

Do Hiro Matsu****a or Marcus Marshall or Dennis Vitolo give male drivers a bad name?

The filter is cleverer than we think. It censors the worst drivers...

Kicking-back · 7 Sep 2005, 16:49 (Ref:1401536)

Lucky he's not from Scunthorpe

See - it is very clever

2112 · 7 Sep 2005, 17:16 (Ref:1401558)

Looks like she was consistent at Sebring. Consistently slower, about 2 seconds off Vasser`s pace.
The bright side is that another driver testing, Mexican Homero Richards, trashed an HVM car on the out lap, making her look a better.
I would like to see Liz Halliday from FIA GT and ALMS given a test, but it`s all about sponsor money, and being backed by Venezuelan Oil is pretty big, but controversial.
She was mysteriously booed at the Miami Grand-Am race after a win, probably by anti-Chavez people.

Net-Ranger · 7 Sep 2005, 17:25 (Ref:1401562)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2112

I would like to see Liz Halliday from FIA GT and ALMS given a test, but it`s all about sponsor money, and being backed by Venezuelan Oil is pretty big, but controversial.

Sad but true i guess other female drivers are more qualified even for a testing shot, nothing personal against Milka but i think that Liz Halliday, Katherine Legge are the best around

Even Vanina Icks, that seems to be doing fine on Martin Shorth Dallara prototypes

mac · 8 Sep 2005, 00:24 (Ref:1401838)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

Lucky he's not from Scunthorpe

See - it is very clever

You're a bad egg, kb.

Snrub · 8 Sep 2005, 02:24 (Ref:1401871)

Opps, I didn't realize that it had already occured. 2 seconds compared to Vasser is a lot closer than I would have guessed. Does anyone know what the actual lap time was?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

Do Hiro Matsu****a or Marcus Marshall or Dennis Vitolo give male drivers a bad name?

That ignores the fact that all other drivers are male and there is little in the way of success to point to by the fairer sex. Women in racing IS a knovelty, whether we all like it or not (I think some knovelty factor is good). Just for the record, I certainly think it's silly to suggest that there is any reason that women couldn't do just as well as men in racing.

Kicking-back · 8 Sep 2005, 05:20 (Ref:1401905)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snrub

Opps, I didn't realize that it had already occured. 2 seconds compared to Vasser is a lot closer than I would have guessed. Does anyone know what the actual lap time was?

No.

But while two seconds is closer than many (including me) had predicted, it's still an enternity if she ever had any hopes of being competitive.

Her previous single-seater racing in the Nissan World Series was quite embarrassing as she tooled around at the back miles off the pace.

BootsOntheSide · 8 Sep 2005, 15:28 (Ref:1402013)

Hiro Matsunotverygooda did give Japanese drivers a bad name for a while though, and that's the simialrity, as women are a rarity in racing circles right now.

okeefe · 9 Sep 2005, 16:57 (Ref:1403092)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snrub

Opps, I didn't realize that it had already occured. 2 seconds compared to Vasser is a lot closer than I would have guessed. Does anyone know what the actual lap time was?

That ignores the fact that all other drivers are male and there is little in the way of success to point to by the fairer sex. Women in racing IS a knovelty, whether we all like it or not (I think some knovelty factor is good). Just for the record, I certainly think it's silly to suggest that there is any reason that women couldn't do just as well as men in racing.

Well said! I've got a great idea - if you will sponsor me $350.00Cdn. I'll go on track with my Volvo at the BMW Driving School at Mosport this weekend - I hear it is very good - and we'd see how I do against those men for future threads here..........

Snrub · 10 Sep 2005, 01:19 (Ref:1403358)

I didn't realize that you were female. Not long ago we had 3-4 very prominant members, but they've moved on with only one of them periodically posting.

I've heard from a couple of people that the BMW school is not very good. My understanding is that there are better schools to attend for the same or less money. A guy I've met who races in the Canadian equivilant of Grand Am in a RX-7 says that he much prefers instructing women to men, because women will listen and gradually progress, whereas men just go nuts and don't take it in.

Or better yet, if I can get some money together you and I can do Shannonville on the Thanksgiving long weekend and for $150CDN.

(no instructing, no rules, no safety, on track as much as you want - no "shifts")

In fairness anyone with little experience sucks, so you don't have to worry about being the next Legge or Danica after one day at the track. Instruction does make a HUGE difference though. If you want to do it, let me know and I can point you to some opportunities in Ontario. Not that it matters too much, but what kind of Volvo do you drive? I'm asking because some vehicles require less prep than others. eg. My RX-7 basically just needs higher boiling point brake fluid to run on a short track.

ASCII Man · 10 Sep 2005, 03:29 (Ref:1403395)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Net-Ranger

Even Vanina Icks, that seems to be doing fine on Martin Shorth Dallara prototypes

I'm surprised that people outside Belgium actually know about her, let alone about her obvious talents as a race car driver!

On the subject, as long as they don't make fools of themselves as so many did in the past (male or female, doesn't matter) then it's just fine by me.
But even then, any publicity is better that no publicity... right?

Fogelhund · 10 Sep 2005, 13:57 (Ref:1403710)

Ms. Ickx is quite well known in Sportscar circles.

okeefe · 12 Sep 2005, 15:55 (Ref:1405771)

Good Morning all - and yes Snrub, I'm a female. This female very much appreciates your honesty on the topic of gender in racing - I agree that there is a knovelty aspect to it. The car I used to streetrace was a real fast FordTorino; and my father was a mechanic so I was a spoiled; fast driving brat I guess, and never had to worry about repairs! Knovelty aspect was there even at that low level -- it was the talk of the Town mostly because I was a female. Now I drive a 1986 Volvo 760 but it does not go fast enough at all for my liking. I'm currently shopping around for something else as well, and I would absolutely LOVE to take some formal instruction. Please let me know of the opportunities in Ontario that you mention, and thank you.

Uesque · 12 Sep 2005, 17:20 (Ref:1405854)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2112

Looks like she was consistent at Sebring. Consistently slower, about 2 seconds off Vasser`s pace.
The bright side is that another driver testing, Mexican Homero Richards, trashed an HVM car on the out lap, making her look a better.
I would like to see Liz Halliday from FIA GT and ALMS given a test, but it`s all about sponsor money, and being backed by Venezuelan Oil is pretty big, but controversial.
She was mysteriously booed at the Miami Grand-Am race after a win, probably by anti-Chavez people.

Her Sebring lap times were in the low 55's, what's normal for there?

thomasl · 13 Sep 2005, 09:06 (Ref:1406470)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uesque

Her Sebring lap times were in the low 55's, what's normal for there?

Between 50 and 51 in preseason testing.

Snrub · 13 Sep 2005, 16:14 (Ref:1406761)

Quote:

Originally Posted by okeefe

Please let me know of the opportunities in Ontario that you mention, and thank you.

I'll send you a PM in a little while, but I don't have time right now.

When you say shopping around, what are you thinking of? I sold a new Mustang GT to a guy I know last night.

That's a fun car.

Edit: Being that I'm suppose to be a moderator and all, let's keep this to PMs, we don't want to hijack the topic.

okeefe · 13 Sep 2005, 18:49 (Ref:1406926)

Yes, thanks again. On topic about the gender issue/novelty aspect of women racing - I suspect also that there are fewer females in the top brass of administration of racing. I work in law, and believe me - this sport is not the only avenue where that would seem to apply. I applaude these and all ladies in racing and believe they are winners already for being there- it takes alot of courage and guts when you know your looks, figure, lifestyle, and performance will surely be closely scrutinized more than most; and beauty in any of them can be held against you just as quickly as being held to your credit. There is more track to cover for these ladies - but they have indeed come a great distance thus far.

macdaddy · 13 Sep 2005, 19:02 (Ref:1406945)

Excellent post.

okeefe · 13 Sep 2005, 19:23 (Ref:1406970)

Thank you for hearing it MacDaddy, and thank you as well for indulgence a bit earlier on in this thread

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