Racerchicks.com is FOUR Years Young!

April 2004

Time flies when you're having fun they say.  Seems like just yesterday Racerchicks.com was just an idea - waiting to be developed into a website.  A hobby that became a forum for me- a car loving racerchick to rant, rave, learn and teach.  The site has come a long way since then.  Our list of racerchicks, our diverse content,  and our loyal readers are surpassed by none.

The last year has been an adventure.  Many changes with the site and its business plan but all the while the commitment hasn't strayed.  This website is for you - all the dedicated racerchicks that go out and drive to the limit.  Our hard work is laying the ground work for other young women to pursue their dreams of racing. 

I've tried to bring you the best content - from entertaining to informative.  But the real thanks should go to the many of you that have contributed your own stories, articles and releases.  From my great editor at the Toronto Star Mark Richardson, who keeps me in line, my colleagues Laurance and the rest that have keep me focused and inspired me to keep the site going strong - thank you. 

The car companies, product companies and service industries that realize us racerchicks are an important audience - I thank you for being supportive of the site.  Our web traffic numbers are the proof. You have listened that we are consumers too. By not stereotyping a racer or car collector as male - you have gained our respect.

A special thank you to Marius at Deymos.com web hosting who hosts our site. His expertise was invaluable.

For those that are car crazy as myself - kudos to finding that perfect roadway to drive.  We are not lobbyists or feminists - just racerchicks that have goals and dreams - which no one can take away from us.  If there is one thing I have learned in the last year - it's that we are making a difference. My gratitude to all that made this possible.

with love, Nika

Letters from readers:  If you have a comment feel free to e-mail Nika

Dear racerchick, Nika:
Today was a difficult day for me, I was brought to my knees metaphorically speaking by a man telling me what I needed to do with my car, what I should do to get where I want to go in the motorsports arena, and how wrong what I have been doing is. He criticized my ability to follow through because I need to take my time to decide what modifications to add to my car, what car to stick with, and what schools to go to, where to drive, where to compete. He systematically destroyed my sense of optimism, my small flicker of hope that even I could do something just because I worked hard for it and aspired to. When he was done, I was in tears, why? Because I thought I had made progress from where I had been a few months ago, a year ago.. I thought I had a substantial knowledge base for a female considering I've only been into this for a little while. I thought I was heading in the right direction for pursuing what my dreams are shaped from. I'm talking about ambition and dreams.

I'm 33 years old and until April of 2001 I had absolutely no interest in cars what so ever. I was a disabled female coming out of a suppressive, abusive relationship. I felt trapped in every way you can imagine. Afraid to live, I felt as if I had no right to enjoy my life.

Something happened when I saw a female in a movie and admired her attachment to a car that made me go out and buy a new sports car. I discovered what freedom felt like.. it was behind the wheel on my own with my music blazing and my motor roaring beneath me. Passion and lust became obsession and now it's determination.

Your words are encouraging to me, I wanted you to know that. Your words help put back the pieces of my ambition that had been shattered earlier today. Today was difficult until I read it and understood that no one can tell me my dreams are wrong because HE thinks they are, or because I am not doing it the way he believes I should.

Becoming handicapped has put up intense barriers before what I want in life, sometimes making it impossible to attempt to dream at all. Lately my recovery has been good. I owe a lot of it to my little car for taking me on the road until I understand why I'm driving, what I am driving away from, and he's with me until I understand that I need to come back. Its amazing what some wheels, an engine and gasoline can represent in the way of personal freedom.

My dreams have pointed me to desire compete in racing events and I'm consuming everything on the subject that I can, at a snail's pace mind you, but moving along none the less. Thank you for encouraging me, my dream is still alive.    S.

                                                                    *******

Dear Nika,
Just read your "Women in Racing" column--terrific, but there's so much more to say! Camille du Gast in the Paris to Berlin in 1901--a Frenchwoman in the Marseilles to (?)Cannes in 1898--etc etc. I've recently finished the ms of my book about my adventures. Anyway, your site is terrific and I hope it flourishes.
Best regards,
Janet Guthrie

                                                                  ********

I PROBABLY WILL NEVER GET THE CHANCE TO SHAKE YOUR HAND, BUT WILL ALWAYS WANT TOO YOUR ARTICLE WAS ONE OF THE MOST INFORMATIVE I HAVE EVER READ.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING IT WITH US.
SINCERELY,
DORIS, REDDING, CA;

                                                                 *******

Hello! =)
I just came across your site and I just had to say hi! I absolutely love the site, and the fact that it's made for girls by girls that love racing! I am 17; I have been into racing since I was 11; and my love for it keeps growing and growing! Just recently I had VIP tickets to NASCAR and I must say it was the best day of my life! Anyways, I just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to make a great site and sharing it with everyone! Keep up the good work! =)
Luv,
Shanna ~ a fellow racerchick ;)

                                                                 *******

Your article "Why Race?" was amazing and better yet, totally true. It is people like you who have helped to pave the way for people like me. It's because of you we've dropped our easy bake ovens and grabbed our power wheels. It's because of racer chicks like you that I even have an interest!
I just wanted to say thank you! Keep it up!
Shannon