Let’s Talk About Women In Automotive
In this article, we’re going to talk about some stereotypes, assumptions, and generalizations made of both men and women in the car scene/racing world. It is intended to spark thought and encourage conversation, rather than to shame, blame, or promote any particular approach or lifestyle.
What usually pops into your head when you hear a woman say they are a car enthusiast? Are you intrigued? Confused? Skeptical? Depending on the circles you run in, you may believe that women are welcome with open arms, supported, and treated as equals. You may be completely indifferent and feel that the playing field is level, and you have to make your own way, no matter who you are —even if that means that sometimes the circumstances are harsh. Your experiences may lead you to believe women are a distraction from the hobby you love so much and that they should pursue other hobbies more suited to them. You may subtly (or overtly) discount their experience, knowledge or skills because of a bias you may not even know you have. If you’re a woman, you may even see other women as a threat and not to be taken seriously, causing you to mistrust them right off the bat.
There has been a pretty noticeable and sometimes drastic improvement in how women are accepted in the car world even since I got my start 25+ years ago. There are more professional women racers than ever before. Organizations like DRAW (Drag Racing Association of Women), Shift Up Now, SCCA’s Women On Track initiative, and WIMNA (Women In Motorports North America) for the explicit purpose of helping women of all ages compete. There are all-women car clubs and women-owned automotive businesses. The fact that this article exists is representative of a significant change. That doesn’t mean that everything is all good now, though. We still wade through some gross behavior, doubt, brush-offs, and rudeness while trying to enjoy this hobby. I want to dig a little bit into the day-to-day encounters to demonstrate that even in 2026, we still have some work to do. Every comment in bold below was something I found on social media and screenshot within a span of 6 weeks.
There are certain hobbies that men have been able to engage in without it being a threat to their significant other. They don’t have to worry about their partners being uncomfortable because there aren’t even that many women there. Football, at the race track and at car meets, Coldplay concerts… Sure, maybe there are cheerleaders, some car models, (or HR directors?), but you wouldn’t try to get with any of them, you look- don’t touch, right? I hope you can see how problematic this is. It implies that women shouldn’t participate in things because men have no self-control or that the ladies would be interested in you just because you happen to be there. Yuck. Also, if you’re a woman and you’re worried about what your guy may do when he’s out of your sight, girlfriend, this isn’t about other women.
Believe it or not, women go to car events because they like cars. They actually want to talk to and be friends with other enthusiasts. Some of these ladies may even know more than some of the men at the meet (shocking, I know).
Although many single women who love cars may want to date others who share their hobby, I promise you that they do not want to be hit on all the time. I hate to break it to you, that “you are so hot” comment you dropped on her IG pic isn’t going to get you a date (or anything else for that matter). Some women like the validation, some like the attention and engagement, but some are put off, grossed out, and occasionally downright afraid. Know thy audience and use some common sense. Rizz master Eric N dropped this delightful comment on a content creator’s reel: “Definitely hot. But her laugh would make me not want to stick around for very long.” I know you ladies are just clamoring to date a gem like Eric, but you may want to practice changing the way you laugh first. (eyeroll)
The dichotomy of women in automotive seems to be that while every man seems to want to date/marry a car girl, women are simultaneously made to feel unsafe and unwelcome when trying to explore this hobby. Women must know everything and be perfect; if not, they’re just taking up space and wasting time. If you want to be successful at dating a car girl, teach and encourage more than you judge- leave the schoolyard bullying approach for the actual kids on the playground who don’t know better yet.
Suppose you’re an influencer (successfully or aspiring). In that case, you will want to do some things that set you apart from the crowd, such as knitting, analyzing football statistics, rescuing cats, going deep into Harry Potter fandom, modeling, poker, restoring furniture, and yes, even modifying cars or going to car meets. Why is this a problem? Are they posers? Fake? Who are you to decide? Unless someone is causing harm with bad advice or dangerous methods, please move along and find some other content that aligns with your interests.
For the life of me, I will never understand why we think we get to tell someone how to live or what they should and should not do with their own body. If a woman wants to use cars as a carrot on a stick to attract flies to honey and promote her OnlyFans account, how does this affect you? Why are the women out here making money for themselves gross, but the men who spend thousands of dollars watching them are “just guys being guys”? Come on, man. Let that woman make her content and drive her Lambo in peace, and go find something else to do. The people (especially other women!) hating her does more harm to the car scene than she does promoting her OF account. There will ALWAYS be women who use cars as bait to get men to give them what they want. If it didn’t work, they wouldn’t do it. If you argue that it objectifies car girls, then your problem isn’t her- it’s the men who expect everyone to be just like her. For example, gene pool loser Yoshi M commented “OF for the win!!!” on an Instagram reel of a woman he does not know, who actually does not have an OF account at all. This woman was just recording herself doing a pull on the freeway. She is not the problem, nor are the ladies who do OF. Yoshi M is the problem here. Luke P was watching a video of a woman whose only crime was having the audacity to own and drive his dream car, and had this to say: “Bit of head gets u anywhere these days apparently if your a chick”. (and no, I’m not fixing his crap grammar and spelling) Again, the women and the choices they make are not the problem; it’s the dudes, their objectification, and assumptions that are the issue. It’s easy to judge women for their choices, but it’s a lot harder to stick up for people who may be doing something you disagree with. Whether you scoff at them or ignore them, just don’t get confused as to who is actually in the wrong here.
One of my favorite internet troll comments is from certified genius Brisco M who says “Just another only fans slag that has a rich daddy and he has put her in a race car go get a job stop using your dad’s money”. I’m confused why she would need to do OnlyFans if she has a rich daddy and why she needs to get a job when she’s doing OnlyFans. Schrodinger’s ho, I guess.
A “nice guy” with the screen name “the_moo******” had this brilliant insight about a woman he’s never met in real life: “Would also help if you were any good. Ur daddy just has money.” The only reason I can see for being mad about someone using “daddy’s money” to buy themselves a car is jealousy. I mean, if I had the money to buy my kids cool things, I would. Wouldn’t you? If your parents offered you a R35 GTR right now, would you turn it down because some stranger on the internet would question if you deserve it? If they’re out there trashing it, that’s one thing, but modifying, driving, racing, and enjoying it? K. Let’s find something else to worry about. Sorry your dad didn’t love you more.
The other assumption that gets me is “your husband just bought you a car”. Bro what? That is not how marriages work at all. You would NEVER see a man in a nice car and say something like “oh, your wife got you a Corvette?”. The whole idea that the man is the person in the household who makes all the money while the woman just sits around waiting for him to do nice things for her is wild in 2026. And honestly, even if they have a sugar daddy or something, good for them. That’s a lifestyle choice they’re free to make and deal with whatever it takes to maintain. If a cougar wanted to take care of a guy, by offering a powderpuff job for top pay, they’d probably do it too. When men exploit opportunity for gain, it’s “strategy”; when women do it, they’re trash. Duly noted.
“gentle__********” says “(thumbsdown) This is so silly. Go to the kitchen and wash the dishes. It’s better (fistbump) (LOL)”
We can’t go out and be too casual because we get judged for being “frumpy or lazy”, are ignored, or give up our femininity altogether to have the honor of being considered “one of the guys”, and we can’t go out wearing makeup and in nice clothes because then we’re “doing it for the attention”. Bruh, can all of us ladies get together and decide on a uniform? What unobjectionable outfit can we all agree on that lets us be just pretty enough to be valuable but not so hot that we’re not taken seriously? Accepting suggestions.
As a little social experiment, go pick two different automotive influencers (one man and one woman) and go read their comments sections. How often do the commenters express opinions about how the male looks? How about the woman? What if she were your sister -how would you feel about the way people are talking to her? When we start to explore the world of motorsports, it seems that it brings out the worst of the worst trolls. Women in motorsports have been relentlessly picked on for not being attractive enough and then, simultaneously, as much crap for wearing makeup or being too pretty. As an expert in this subject, Jerry O advises that a woman driver is “Beautiful all you have to do now is learn how to drive.Will you ever learn to do that? I doubt it.” (Again, I’m not fixing their crappy grammar).
Kevin G thinks that a woman driving in a pro series is: “Not a real racer. Just another pretty face”. Women carry a lot of responsibility. In addition to having real jobs, they are still usually responsible for maintaining a household, being a mom, getting in some practice sessions or sim time, analyzing data, planning logistics, and meeting sponsor requirements. When a racer spoke up about the reality of being stretched so thin, this is what TJ had to say: “I see she still has time for the botox appointments”. With Les S advising that she should give up and just: “Stay home and be a mom then”. I guess maybe she should, because as Robert B. says, “she’s not going to make it”. Well damn, why try then, I guess. Dreams must only be for men whose only responsibility is to do epic stuff, not do something like work as a pro sports commentator. It’s alright. According to Danny B: “Women don’t need to be working in nascar anyway”.
Most women will do what they can to help encourage other women to join them and believe it’s possible to be a part of it all. Social media influencers are pointing out that they have almost as many female followers as male followers. Organizations have been established to assist more professional racers in securing and sustaining funding. There are groups, car clubs, and initiatives that endeavor to help women feel comfortable and learn in a safe space. You’d think that women helping women wouldn’t bother the men, but we still have to deal with folks like David H who thinks that: “The best advice she could ever give that little girl is to go talk to a real race car driver.”
As a woman who has modified street cars, track and race cars, I’ve been around these attitudes and biases for a long time. The people around me usually dismissed my frustrations by telling me to “ignore them!” or “who cares what they think? Just do what you want!” as if you could constantly be surrounded by negativity and brush it off without any of it soaking in. Spoiler- you can, for a while, then it gets hella old and burns you out. I will not constantly give out my entire history and resume to get you to take me seriously. Nor will I ask for you to include me. If you don’t want me to sit at your table, I’ll go build a bigger table and invite people who want to make a difference.
While we understand that you shouldn’t “feed the trolls”, we’re going to have to speak up and stand up for our fellow car enthusiasts. We must let people know that this kind of behavior is unacceptable and won’t be tolerated. Psychologically, it takes 3 positive comments to undo one negative one. If you don’t want to interact with the asshats, that’s fine, but add something positive, encouraging, or supportive. It matters.
But maybe I’m just whining because, as thereals**** points out in automotive, “if you are a woman it is easier”. Good point, dude. Nevermind. I’ve got some dishes to wash.
Ladies, there is no entrance exam required to be a car enthusiast, to love cars, or to want to participate in motorsports. Learning is going to be messy, and progress will not be linear. Do not calculate how confident you are based on what you know vs. what you wish you knew. Just jump in. There’s so much out there. In this industry, a confident woman is an act of rebellion in and of itself. Go do what you want.
