Editor's Notebook, June 01, 2004
by Karen Salvaggio

At a recent track event, I was asked the question, “Why does Thunder Valley Racing exist?” Before I could formulate the first syllable of my answer to this seemingly curious question, the person went on to explain, “There are so many motorsports, car enthusiast, and automotive news and magazine services out there, isn't there enough “information” already?” At that point, my mind began rapidly rewinding through my twenty years of racing experiences as a woman in motorsports, and although I ultimately responded with the traditional, “Our work at Thunder Valley Racing focuses on advancing the role of women in motorsports at all levels.” This small conversation (asked by a fellow racer) has caused me to reflect upon our efforts here at Thunder Valley Racing. As I considered the status of racing today, I began to realize that, as the years have passed, I believe we may have turned a corner in our efforts to shed light on the role of women in racing. While it's true that our numbers are still relatively small, isn't it true that the days when women racers were simply a track novelty are far fewer now, having made way for a new era, one in which women racers are much more of an expected part of the overall racing landscape.

the racing world is ready...

Now, before you dismiss this notion, I want to clarify that in no way do I believe we have reached equity of representation, parity in sponsorship opportunities, or that women racers have reached our fullest potential in the competitive world of motorsports. The statistics on these efforts reflect that we are far from reaching any of these goals. I do believe, however, that the efforts of women in racing, and the efforts of countless here-to-fore un-championed men (car owners, team owners, husbands, fathers, boyfriends, etc.) efforts that have provided quality opportunities for women to develop their racing skills, have brought us to the gateway of a new era. I believe the racing world is “ready” for women to assume a greater role in the competitive ranks, and I believe it will only be our preparation and commitment that determines how soon women secure that greater role.

At Thunder Valley, we are proud to feature more than one hundred women racers, many of whom have trail blazed for others in their racing venues, and these numbers continue to grow on a daily basis. Why Thunder Valley Racing, you might ask? Well, from the numerous media contacts that we receive, the letters and notes of encouragement from motorsports enthusiasts around the world, and the continuing demand for feature stories on women in racing, Thunder Valley Racing serves the growing interests of the motorsports world. I have found (and if you are a woman racer I suspect you have discovered this as well) that there is a sector of the motorsports community that wants us to make it, (The fans and media included), but these same sources of support can also be our harshest critics. I believe that the key to women's expanding role in motorsports will be our ability to develop and advance high quality, hard-working, professional drivers that are not out there to “prove” anything in regards to their gender, but rather chose a career in motorsports due to a genuine passion for racing.

As for our role, Thunder Valley Racing will be here as resource for women in racing to tell their stories, connect with other women racers, and serve as a champion for the expanding role of women in motorsports.

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