Poruka
od kyle » subota, 22. jun 2019. u 22:48h
I think it would be hard to argue it's a multi/single- tasking issue. Watching it on TV it may seem like 'oh they just gotta drive around the track', but at the micro level sitting behind the wheel it's a different story. At high speed, there are a lot of things to account for and a ton of information to process at any given moment.
From a work/life perspective, I'd agree that making it in motorsports requires singular dedication.
Let me offer up an observation. This supports the idea there may be a natural (for whatever reason) predisposition risk-taking. For the last couple years I have been exploring the hobby of track days (HPDE). For those not familiar, you pay to take your street car (or rental car in some instances) on a road course with an instructor (until signed off) for brief lapping sessions on the course (usually 20-30 minutes).
Drivers are divided into groups primarily based on a drivers skill/experience (not speed of car) as deemed by 'professional' instructors. Generally current or former competitive racers. For the most part, safety is the top priority as organizers are insured and a driver's car is not. The next goal is educating drivers in car control. Not to mention it's fun (for most). Above all else it's not competitive and racing others is frowned upon. Though by nature it tends to happen depending on a driver's personality. Part of the instructors role is to help moderate that too.
That said, in this environment, I have personally been on track with female drivers. It's on occasion, but it does happen..if that says anything. What I've observed is..
1. Generally speaking they are concerned with having a negative impact on the experience of other participants. This is exemplified by them having a tendency to get out of other peoples way rather than have others go around them. i.e. they are more inclined to go off-line, which is slower. This is not just an observation BTW. A lot of times I'll get to talking with them and that's what they tell me.
2. Female drivers tend to be less inclined to drive a car at its upper limits. Said another way, cars being equal, male drivers tend to go (not necessarily be) faster. Most especially when it comes to corner entry speed, which is where the risk-taking/pucker factor really comes into play.
After noticing this, I really got curious about it and wondered if it was just in my head. I started asking other instructors about it as they have first hand accounts being in a passenger seat talking to the actual female drivers. As well as having many more rodeo's than me. Every instructor I talked to that has concurred with me. The conversation goes something like.
Me: Is it just me or is there something different about female drivers?
Instructor: <shake head yes>, I'm not sure why, but...
At this point, I personally accept it for what it is and don't try to answer the why. I now regard it as a unique feature of a day at the track.
Nascar champion