Wildrose Racing
An online survey was commissioned by the 501c3 Lyn St. James Foundation and conducted by Prof. Butch Fennema and Prof. James Stephens at the University of Indianapolis in collaboration with Don Sabo, Ph.D., director of the Center for Research on Physical Activity, Sport & Health at D’Youville College. The main goal was to understand the attitudes of race fans toward women in racing. The survey was available on numerous motorsports websites, including the American LeMans Series, American Speed Association, Indy Racing League, Sports Car Club of America, United States Auto Club, Performance Racing Industry Magazine, Fox Sports Radio, and SPEED TV.
Some of the key findings of this study include:
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Both Women and Men Endorse Women’s Involvement in Racing:88% of the female respondents and 77% of the male respondents agreed that they “wish more women were involved in motorsports.”
•
Women Racers Inspire Young Girls:87% of both female and male respondents felt that women racers inspire young females to get involved in racing.
•
Lessons for Boys and Men:85% of all respondents indicated that “it’s good for boys and young men to see women racing along with men.”
• Women Racers Bring Out Fans:
74% of male respondents and 62% of female respondents agreed that “women racers bring fans out to the races.”
• Women Racers Draw Fans:
40% of female respondents indicated that they would be “more” or “much more” likely to follow motorsports races if more women were involved. The figure for male fans was 21%.
• Women as Marketing Asset:
Majorities of both female and male respondents contended that women’s involvement with racing is highly favorable in relation to marketing impacts.
• Women Racers Are Viewed as Role Models:
Both female and male
respondents cited numerous examples of how women racers have provided role models not only for their daughters but also
their sons. •
Many respondents believed that women’s collective success in auto racing will get a huge boost from a major win. Others believed in a tipping point theory; which holds that once enough women get involved in motorsports, there will be an exponential increase in interest and engagement at all levels.
Information courtesy of: http://lynstjames.com/