March 17th, 2010

Ladies of Indy, Start Your Engines!

The ladies of Indy had a good start of the season, especially the rookies! There were 4 women on the grid in Sao Paolo this year. Here are the results for the ladies:

Amazingly, Ana Beatriz had the highest finish of the ladies at 13th, and this was her Indy debut! She was racing on her home track but it was the home track for 6 other drivers as well and regardless, this is a great finish for this newcomer. She came up through Indy Lights where she was the only woman ever to win a race (she won 2) in that series!

Danica finished 2 spots down at 15th. She was running top 10 most of the day but ultimately faltered in the rain.

Simona de Silvestro, another rookie, did well throughout the day finishing one spot behind Danica at 16th. She even led 4 laps, granted it was when most headed to the pits under a yellow, but rare for a rookie nonetheless. She’s one to watch this season.

Milka Duno, in her third season, finished a disappointing 21st.

March 16th, 2010

50’s Dodge La Femme, a Car for Women Only

Who says car companies rarely market to women? Well, they did in 1955 and 1956. The Dodge La Femme was specifically built and marketed just for women. Granted in the day the car was considered a failure. Now however it is quite the collectors item. On their brochure it reads: To her majesty, the American woman.

The car came with everything an all-american 1950’s stereotype housewife could ever want. The colors range from a two-tone “heather rose and sapphire white” to “regal orchid” to “misty orchid” and some boasted an interior detailed in gold.

The car also comes with accessories, and what woman doesn’t love accessories! It comes with a rain cape, rain boots and umbrella. Listen, who knows when you might get caught out in the rain. It also comes with a matching bag in a rose leather to match the interior! In addition, in the back of the car there are pockets where you can keep all your La Femme accessories.

Granted the La Femme seems to play to every female stereotype however in the day the car was really about a new sense of freedom for women. In the 1950s Chrysler noticed more women were influencing decisions, more families were getting 2 cars and less women were staying at home. Thus they decided to capitalize on this new untapped market. Unbelievably, 60 years later and car companies still can’t figure out how to do it right!

Well, American women and women all over the globe, we still believe you are all royalty and you deserve to be treated and marketed to like the queens and princesses that you are!

March 15th, 2010

Porsche Encourages Women to Get Behind the Wheel

Porsche has started a program called Women Only. The course teaches precision driving and you can bring your own car or use one of theirs. After you complete the initial class they offer and advanced program as well.

The course is being offered in a variety of countries and costs $1,640 (1,190 Euros).

For more information email:
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March 14th, 2010

Formula 1 Starts Today in Bahrain

Gentlemen, start your engines. Well, it’s still an all male field this year. There were rumors that Danica might appear with USF1 alas no Danica, no USF1.

In any case this year is looking like it will be the most exhilarating season in recent memory. Schumi is back. A lot of top drivers looking good: Alonso, Hamilton, Vettel on pole today. Lotus is back. An interesting rookie, Nico Hulkenberg.

We can’t wait to turn the volume up and watch the flag drop on such an exciting season!

March 13th, 2010

Rallye Aicha des Gazelles Begins in Morocco

The all-female rally, Rallye Aicha des Gazelles, began in 1990 in the Sahara in Morocco. Since that time the rally has seen more than 2000 female participants ages 18-67 from 36 different countries.

The rally is 8 days, 1500 miles (2,500 kilometers), about 10-13 hours a day and takes place in the most extreme conditions the Sahara has to offer—extreme heat, sandstorms and harsh desert terrain. GPS is not allowed and navigators use a compass and map to find their way to various checkpoints.

In 2004, Drive Like A Woman’s very own editor-in-chief Michele Shapiro became the first American ever to compete in this grueling race. Her sister was her navigator and they drove a Nissan Patrol.

Click here for more information about competing in Rallye Aicha des Gazelles…

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March 12th, 2010

Shelley to Drive Pikes Peak, Minus a Driver

You see Shelley is an Audi TTS. Researchers at the Center for Automotive Research at Stanford built Shelley to drive autonomously. She has a built in GPS that allows her to navigate without a driver and she has reached speeds of 130 mph.

Shelley will attempt the famous Pikes Peak course in September, the official Pikes Peak Hill Climb is in June of this year. They named the car Shelley in honor of Michele Mouton, one of the best rally drivers ever and the first female driver to win Pikes Peak.

The Stanford researchers have built two autonomous cars before, Stanley and Junior, but only used radar and cameras to navigate whereas Shelley will use GPS. Pikes Peak began in Colorado 1916 and is a climb up 14,000 feet.

The Stanford Report writes, “The trick will be to stay on the road at race speeds while sliding around the corners.” Well, that’s pretty much the trick for human drivers as well. Good luck Shelley!

March 11th, 2010

Breaking News: Soave Just Named Head of Fiat N. America

Laura J. Soave, 37, was just named as the Head of the Fiat brand for North America. She will be responsible for reintroducing Fiat into North America starting with the Fiat 500.

Soave will be reporting directly to Sergio Marchionne, the CEO of Chrysler Group. According to Chrysler’s press release she “holds full profit and loss responsibility for the Fiat product portfolio in North America.”

Prior to this post, she served as General Manager of Experiential Marketing for Volkswagen.

We’d like to congratulate you on your new post! We always like seeing women in the drivers seat!