There's a real problem with sexism in the car community. It's no wonder why there are so few of us when it feels like the whole community collectively rejects and/or objectifies us.

Updated: 10 Oct 2024

CT has gotten a little better about moderating things like this, but I just recently made a post about what a badass Michèle Mouton was and the first (and only) two comments were these:

No one would have made comments like that if the post had been about another legendary driver like, say, Colin McRae or Ken Block. It gets worse when the comments aren’t moderated, like on Facebook (this particular commenter was mocking other commenters who were responding to a photo of two models posing badly at a gas pump with their fuel door still closed, and the other commenters came after her with all the butthurt their fedoras could contain):

Really? Look, I know people on the internet can be awful, but the car community seems to be particularly bad about being inclusive to anyone other than macho white dudes. We all love cars — why can’t this be something to start a friendship over, regardless of whether you’re male/female, gay/straight/bi, cis/trans, white/black/Asian/Hispanic/Middle Eastern/polka-dotted, Euro/JDM/muscle, drift/drag/rally/F1? Why do any of those things matter? What matters is the cars and our shared passion for them.

Grow up, people. Show some respect, turn some wrenches, and enjoy the ride and the camaraderie.

Comments

Kilgore, you make a very valid point. Discrimination is something that will not be tolerated on Car Throttle. On behalf of the moderators, I would like to discuss this a little more with you. Feel free to DM me if you wish.

Thanks, but what’s a DM?

This is why I love this app. The people who made it actually care about the people who use it

She’s complaining about sexism but you couldn’t stop yourself requesting to have a little ‘discussion,’ I see what your up to ;)

Sexism is pointless. We’re humans. Why can no onne seem to see that? I dont care who you are. You legitimately love cars? We can be friends. Also….no one cares if its a “car girl OMG isn’t that crazy?” Petrolheads are petrolheads.

Greatly said my man

I’m sure that facebook comment was just a troll…

Constant trolling gets old though.
Dismissing discrimination as “just a troll” is basically the same thing as all these years people dismiss discrimination as “Aww, shucks that were just a joke lil missy!” … it belittles the offended party and attempts to excuse the behavior.

Fantastic piece, I have noticed small things like this.

Also, wondered who made that meme, its the most rubbish waste of IT resources I’ve ever seen. If your going to insult a group of people, at least be either inventive or just don’t bother, preferably the latter

I’m very glad you make that point it is very overlooked problem which needs to be solved. When you come to Warsaw your drinks are on me

If you’re talking about Warsaw, Kentucky, you’re right across the river from me and I might have to take you up on that XD

most of the times i dont like these styles of posts on ct because they’re usually about silly stuff (like that post where a user wanted somebody banned because the person made a joke about his car) but i do agree with this, even though i think that the car world is one of the most progressive cultures out there. for example we are one of the few sports where you dont have seperate classes for women and men (as far as i know), the car meets that i attend (mostly VAG and bmw) i never see sexism or inappropriate stuff yelled at women. i think the biggest issue is the internet because people always feel like they can get away with anything on the internet. and that issue is something we can start fixing over here on CT i mean if we made CT a safe haven for honda fans and fwd fans in general we should be able to do the same for cargirls right? PS the only point i can understand (with the knowledge of the car world i enjoy) in the racing world are the pit girls but those girls choose to do that theirselfs (and most of them arent petrolheads) atleast its not like women’s american football in lingerie and women only/men only basketball and football and stuff like that

Ken Block can’t drive for sh*the imo

It’s weird that there’s sexism in the online car community while in real life if a girl pulls up in a 240sx at a meet everybody is all OMFG AWESOME!

And then women say that it’s demoralising that men wouldn’t get the same reaction. Almost a case of well it’s awesome a WOMAN is driving it

Its on Facebook, no one should go there

It’s such a f@cking pity that this happens.Yes,this is a male dominated hobby but sexism is just silly.I remember one time a lady made my whole weekend.Not only did she let me take pictures if her blue XKR Convertible,she even told me to sit on the drivers seat.And if remember correctly,this past October’s Classic Car Rally was won by a Porsche 356B,owned and driven by a woman.Take THAT sexism.Man or woman,a petrolhead is a petrolhead.