This
week it’s all about girl power. From fiesty Ashley Force beating out
all other athletes (male and female) to take the trophy in AOL’s
Sexiest Athlete to the women of Feisty Racing. AskPatty.com is taking a
spin around the global motorsports arena to see what’s happening with
some of our favorite racer chicks.
Shirley Muldowney
is trying to change her aloof image. The drag racing legend reached out
to try and bridge the generation gap by hosting a breakfast Saturday
morning at O’Reilly Raceway Park. Among the nearly 50 attendees were
drivers Hillary Will, Karen Stoffer and Ashley Force and Champ Car
Atlantic Series managing director Vicki O'Connor. Many were meeting
Muldowney for the first time.
"I miss it every day of my life," she said. "But when I see the ladies doing well, it's very gratifying. I can sit back on the sofa and be satisfied."
Ashley Force has won AOL’s Hottest Athlete Contest.
Force defeated IRL’s Danica Patrick en route to the title. Force drives
the Castrol GTX Ford Mustang in the NHRA for John Force Racing. After
beating out the women, Force faced NFL hottie Tom Brady in the vote for
who’s got the most mojo (male or female). Brady’s got her beat in the
baby-daddy department, but not in the Hotness factor; Force swept the
floor with the sperminator, to be voted AOL’s Hottest Athlete by 86%.
Betty Jean Gray
knows how hard it is to be a woman in a man’s world. The female tool
specialist has been selling parts for cars for 12 years. She is an
Automotive Service Excellence-certified commercials parts specialist at
Advance Auto Parts in Frederick, Virginia.
"But I get just as much respect, if not more than any other person. Believe me it was not easy at first. It is not easy being a woman in a man's world," Gray said. "You have to prove yourself. From there, the possibilities are endless."
Feisty Racing in the United Kingdom is giving new meaning to “girl power”. Feisty Racing is an all girl racing team which formed from a group of female racing friends in Bemuse club racing during 2004.
Feisty aims to encourage women into motorcycle racing with the help of ladies who already race. Feisty
Racing is the racing arm of Bikegirl Limited. The team currently
comprises girls who have already had phenomenal successes and have a
great deal to teach you.
Next up for the Feisty girls:
Snetterton (C600 and R400): 15th & 16th September
Brands Hatch (R400): 29th & 20th September
Angelle Sampey has just three NHRA races left to save her season. Sampey's
early departure from Indianapolis last weekend dropped her from second
in the points to fifth, which is just outside the cut off for the
Countdown to Four.
"We've got three races left to get our act together," said the Louisiana resident. "We're only 14 points out of fourth, so fortunately that's not a big deficit."
The Women's Auxiliary of Motorsports
(WAM) and Witherell Racing Promotions and Marketing (WRPM LLC) are
pleased to announce country music act Andy Griggs will be the opening
act for the first annual WAM JAM Charity Concert. This event is slated
to take place on October 20, 2007, at Fieldcrest Stadium in Kannapolis,
NC, home of the minor league baseball team, the Kannapolis
Intimidators. The Women's Auxiliary of Motorsports', a non-profit
501(c)3 organization, mission is to enrich the lives of women,
children, and families through educational and wellness programs.
AskPatty.com
is a 2007 proud sponsor of the NASCAR No. 112 AskPatty.com Chevrolet
driven by the highest ranked professional female race car driver Deborah Renshaw.
Support our favorite racer girls by watching them on television this week and checking out their webpages!
by Linda Przygodski
Women in Motorsports
Contributing Editor