sounds great, and at least the equal to mens' series, but just separate.
"separate, but equal", if you will.
> Formula Woman will be open to any female aged 18 or over ... and has not
competed in motorsport.
...
> not just the best drivers we're looking for - the Formula Woman driver
> needs to be able to work within a team, be professional and know how to
> deal with the media - all necessary ingredients in top level motorsport.
internal project code name: "Formula Babes"
-james
----- Original Message -----
From: "John F. Kelly Jr." <76067.1750@compuserve.com>
To: "BayArea Team.Net" <ba-autox@autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, January 13, 2003 8:59 AM
Subject: In today's mail
> Related to an earlier discussion, this came in the mail today.-John Kelly
>
> PR-FORMULA WOMAN Announced
> Jan 10, 2003 04:27 am - Posted by Michael F. Hollander, Editor, RIS
> FORMULA WOMAN - CHANGING THE FACE OF MOTORSPORT
>
> The first ever modern-day motor racing championship for women drivers is
> launched!
>
> BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - RIS - 9th January 2003 /Formula Woman, a major new
> motor racing initiative set to change the face of motorsport is launched
> today at Autosport International Show. This unique Championship for women
> racing drivers marks a new era for this sport with the introduction of the
> first racing Series devoted entirely to female drivers. Formula Woman is a
> unique concept for the world of motorsport, offering women the chance to
> enter the traditionally male environment of motor racing driving the new
> Mazda RX8 in the Mazda RX-8 Formula Woman Championship.
>
> The new Championship has been conceived and created by Graeme Glew, a
> motorsport industry consultant who has been involved in racing team
> management, a racing driver school and latterly in Formula One. With this
> pedigree Glew is well placed to instigate a new professional motor racing
> Series which is set to add a new dimension to the industry bringing women
> into the sport - in the driving seat.
>
> Television coverage is planned for the Championship, with Carlton TV
> developing a programme around Formula Woman. Further details on the media
> support will be announced shortly.
>
> Speaking today at the launch, Chairman of Formula Woman, Graeme Glew said,
> "Formula Woman is realizing one of the ideas that I had a few years ago
> when I ran a racing drivers school. In nearly every other sport around the
> world there is a platform for women to compete against each other. Today,
> we have made history by launching this Championship solely for women, and
> I'm sure we will attract nationwide attention as this unique concept
> becomes reality."
>
> Formula Woman is launched with the support of Mazda, with the new Mazda
> RX-8 being used for the Championship. James Muir, Managing Director, Mazda
> Motors UK Ltd, explains the tie-up saying, "Mazda are absolutely delighted
> to be involved as the manufacturer sponsor for Formula Woman. It's an
> extremely exciting and innovative project which we believe will really
> capture the imagination of the public. Formula Woman will be a great fit
> with the Mazda brand, particularly as we are launching our all-new sports
> car, the Mazda RX-8 in the summer of 2003.
>
> Former Formula One driving star, Mark Blundell who is now a member of
ITV's
> Formula One presentation team and is Consultant to Formula Woman is
> delighted to be involved with the Championship saying, "Formula Woman is
an
> amazing opportunity for someone to realize their dream and become a
> professional racing driver and I'm sure the boy racers will be very
envious
> watching the women racing - I don't know whether I could watch my wife out
> in a race car as I would be full of so many different emotions - I'd be
> jealous of her, fearful for her safety and willing her to win.
>
> Adds Blundell, "As a Consultant to Formula Woman I have been involved
since
> the beginning of the project and it's been a privilege to be part of a
> concept which is breaking new ground in such an exciting, high profile
> sport. I'm really looking forward to playing a role in the future
> development of Formula Woman and contributing to its undoubted success."
>
> Formula Woman has also gained the support of Richard Burden MP,
> Parliamentary advisor on motorsport to the Sports Minister, who says, "
The
> common perception of Motor Racing is often one of "boys with their toys."
> Formula Woman challenges that in a very direct way. I know that the
> Government is very keen to see access to all sports widened to those who
> have a lot to contribute but who, for different reasons, feel excluded
from
> them. By launching this competition to find the woman motor racing
champion
> of tomorrow, Formula Woman has the potential to raise the profile of women
> in motorsport as a whole. That is why I welcome the Formula Woman project
> and I will certainly be talking further to the Minister of Sport about it.
> "
>
> The Championship
>
> Formula Woman will be open to any female aged 18 or over who holds a UK
> drivers license and has not competed in motorsport. Prospective drivers
> will be invited to apply for a driver assessment and successful applicants
> will be requested to attend an assessment day, a series of events which
> will be held at a number of race circuits throughout the UK between May
and
> July 2003. At the initial qualifying stage selected candidates will be put
> through tests of driving, fitness level, reactions, personality and
> presentational skills as Formula Woman sets out to find the all round best
> 16 female drivers for the Mazda RX-8 Formula Woman Championship. And it's
> not just the best drivers we're looking for - the Formula Woman driver
> needs to be able to work within a team, be professional and know how to
> deal with the media - all necessary ingredients in top level motorsport.
>
> The driver selection programme will be followed by an intensive driver
> training course through the winter of 2003 in preparation for the 10 - 12
> round Championship to be held at selected UK racing circuits in 2004
> (subject to Motor Sport Association approval). The Mazda RX-8 race cars to
> be used for the Championship will be identically prepared race-tuned
> versions of the new road car set to be introduced into the UK in Summer
> 2003. Full details of the Championship rules, regulations and format
> details will be provided as these are finalized.
>
> Women interested in taking part in Formula Woman can register via the
> Formula Woman registration telephone line on 09066 360000. Calls to the
> registration line are charged at #1.50p per minute and will last a maximum
> of two minutes. Callers must be 18 or over and must be the bill payer or
> have the bill payers permission. Charges may be more from mobile phone.
10%
> of all call revenues will go to the Formula Woman nominated charities.
Full
> entry details are also available on the Formula Woman website at
> www.formulawoman.com.
>
> - Ends -
|