Patrick angry over weight gain

[Schwartz Fan]

racer Patrick angry over weight gain
Mar 27, 6:44 pm EDT

MIAMI (AFP) - American racing driver Danica Patrick, one of just two women in the Indy-car championship, has criticised plans which she claims punishes her for being slender.

The 26-year-old, who is still searching for a first victory as her fourth season begins, is upset by a new rule to equalize the weights of each car allowing for differences in driver size.

Some rivals had said Patrick, the slimmest Indy-car racer who is just 5ft 2in tall and weighs in at 100 pounds, had an edge because of her lighter size. Now extra weight will be added to cars for lighter racers and trimmed from tubs for heavier ones.

"If someone is going to take the hit it's going to be me," Patrick said. "It's disappointing the league decided to do that. Just your God-given stature is being penalized."

Venezuela's Milka Duno is the second woman in the 29-driver championship which begins a new season here on Sunday.

Indy racer Patrick angry over weight gain - NASCAR - Yahoo! Sports


I guess Robby was right...I wonder why it's taken this long for the sanctioning body to do something about it......where they trying to give their new star an advantage???

[Schwartz Fan]

Danica Patrick criticizes new IRL weight rule

By Nate Ryan, USA TODAY
An Indy Racing League rule change has Danica Patrick feeling as if she'll be penalized for being petite — which the popular driver said wouldn't happen in other sports.
Starting this season, the minimum weight for IRL cars will include the driver, and Patrick is the series' lightest at 100 pounds according to the 2007 media guide (which lists other female drivers Milka Duno and Sarah Fisher at 120 pounds apiece; Ed Carpenter is the heaviest at 165).

"If someone's going to take the hit it's going to be me," Patrick said Thursday. "It's disappointing the league decided to do that. In so many other sports, athletes don't get penalized for being too strong, or too tall or too fast.

"(It's) just your God-given stature is being penalized. What am I going to do, though? It's not my decision. That's the people higher up (who) made their bed, and they've got to lay in it."

Patrick said she asked IRL officials about the reason for the change but said "they didn't really have one.

"I just follow the rules," she said. "Maybe I'll get more specific reasons somewhere down the line …"

IRL spokesman John Griffin said the rule was intended to reduce the difference between the lightest and heaviest drivers, which is a gap that can range from 75 to 100 pounds.

"We want to make absolutely clear this is not a Danica rule," Griffin said. "You look at guys like Dan Wheldon and Marco Andretti, and they're light guys."

Griffin wouldn't disclose the cars' minimum weight but said drivers are broken into three weight classifications. The heaviest would have weight reduced from its car while the lightest would have a maximum 35 pounds of ballast added.

"It's something that had been looked at and was in the back of our minds every year," Griffin said.

Patrick admits to having had a slight speed edge from weighing less in a sport where lighter means faster. An Associated Press story in 2005 reported rival teams estimated Patrick might gain nearly 1 mph because of her weight, and Sprint Cup driver Robby Gordon said he wouldn't race Patrick in the IRL until the series equalized weights as NASCAR's premier circuit does.

Patrick hopes to put the issue behind her by winning the season-opening Gainsco 300 at Homestead Miami Speedway on Saturday.

"Let's just do that," she said with a laugh, "and then I'll say, 'Why didn't you guys do this years ago?' "


Danica Patrick criticizes new IRL weight rule - USATODAY.com

[admin]

In my opinion its only fair to do it this way, so the fastest car should be the winner with no one being about to cry about someone being small and light, you'll be fine Danica and I bet you'll hardly notice a thing.

[Schwartz Fan]

Originally Posted by admin In my opinion its only fair to do it this way, so the fastest car should be the winner with no one being about to cry about someone being small and light, you'll be fine Danica and I bet you'll hardly notice a thing.

I agree...and your right, she'll still be fine, or was that do fine?

She'll probably race pretty well too!

[Dirt track racer]

Seen the Sports Illustrated Swim suit edition with her in it yet?
I am breathing into a paper bag while typing.
OMG.I might need a cold shower.

[admin]

They posted the pics on here somewhere, I think it was in smackdown, in the swimsuit thread around post 529, but you might as well go up a post and check Ingrid out also

Or click this link The Guys official hottest chick thread

[Dirt track racer]

Where do I get a water proof key board.?

[admin]

Originally Posted by Dirt track racer Where do I get a water proof key board.?

I'm not sure but please PM me if you ever find out!

[Dirt track racer]

Back to the topic, I can see where other drivers/owners would be upset. If your driver weighs much less than others your percentages could be more of an advantage.
I know 10 pounds moved around can be a big help at times.

[SmokeFan14]

Originally Posted by admin I'm not sure but please PM me if you ever find out!

Gentlemen, gentlemen, gentlemen, you are not thinking here. Improvise! Adapt! Overcome! Large,clear plastic bag works great!