are glamorous girls essential to motorsport?

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Slippy Diff

But to be fair, the original thread starter never stated that grid girls were essential. AdamAshmore used the word 'essential' in his reply and it snowballed from there.

The original thread starter DID use the word 'essential'. Perhaps not in the body of their message but certainlt in the title - "are glamorous girls essential to motorsport?"

[Chris Y]

The biggest reason I can think of not having grid girls in motorsport, is that old chestnut - equality. There are now more women involved in motorsport (as drivers, pit crew and marshals) than ever.

Unfortunately, having grid girls standing around looking pretty and holding pit boards, just perpetuates the stereotype that motorsport is a 'men-only' discipline, and women are only good for holding pit boards. That sort of thing is outdated now.

[Suze]

But I can't see it stopping just because there are more female drivers / mechanics / marshals etc.

[Cynic]

I appreciate that I'm coming into this conversation a bit late, but anyone unfortunate enough to know me personally will know this is one of my pet hates.

Firstly I think the prescence of the grid girls in any form of motorsport is that old adage "sex sells". It would appear that the majority of advertisers still believe that motorsport is a male-dominated environment, and so their advertising is targeted in a way blokes will notice. Personally I find it insulting that someone thinks that paying someone to stand around in their underwear will encourage me to buy (for example) a new credit card.

Secondly, the concept of a "glamorous" glamour girl is a new one on me. Probably eight out of ten of the ones I see (and as a marshal I can usually get a much closer view of them than Joe Public) are complete dragons. If anyone can show me a grid / publicity girl that isn't from the bag-over-the-head school of modelling, I'll be seriously impressed.

[HiRich]

As someone who has hired such girls for events (admittedly not grid presence), let me add my tu'pennworth.

Are Grid Girls Essential?
Of course not. As already stated, only money is essential. The girls are there for marketing. There's (next to) no marketing at Club level, so no grid girls.
Whether or not you use them comes down to how much money you've got, how much value you can get out of the girls, and whether you can get a better return from another activity.

Why Girls, not Guys?
Quite simply, girls work. They attract attention, they are more approachable. Guys need a gimmick. Even Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp in G-strings would need to do some juggling or fire-eating (unless it was a hen do). Generally (excluding the ulta-laddy audiences), it's not a sexist or male-audience thing. Attractive, modestly dressed girls work best, being acceptable to women and men (whether lads or more reasonable, PC-aware men).

Who Chooses The Girls?
It normally comes down to the personal preferences of the key people at the Client and marketing agency. Costs are significant (remember you also have custom designed clothing, training days) and quite a lot of work is involved (if you're professional about it). I always look for/advise:
- Pretty & professional. Give me a really friendly, but only moderately attractive girl over the bimbo. This of course means auditions as well.
- Smartly dressed. Jacket & skirt = approachable. The dreaded lycra & camel-toe effect (sorry) dramatically limits your effective audience (we may leer at them, but we ain't gonna buy anything off them).
- Always make sure that they have something to do. It may be handing out leaflets, answering basic questions (and passing on more difficult questions to the experts). In marketing terms, that means that you're getting response, conversion, rather than just exposure.

I've met quite a few promo girls, and you quickly twigg which are the good ones. They work hard (at least, I make them work hard) and earn their money. The good ones are enthusiastic about what they do, work well under pressure, and often have to deal with quite a bit of grief. But they do a good job, delivering real value to the Client.

[Slippy Diff]

Originally Posted by redshoes

The original thread starter DID use the word 'essential'. Perhaps not in the body of their message but certainlt in the title - "are glamorous girls essential to motorsport?"

You are correct, the thread starter ASKED if grid girls were seen as essential to motorsport. It was NOT a stated fact by the poster.

[Al Weyman]

And the answer from the majority is clearly they are not. It is just a bit of razzamatazz at the end of the day, adds to the overall spectacle and nothing wrong with that but not essential.

[redshoes]

True, but your comment was that "Too much emphasis has been put on the 'essential' side of things". Given the title of the thread what else should the emphasis be on?

[Slippy Diff]

Originally Posted by redshoes

what else should the emphasis be on?

Links to grid girl websites maybe?

[Les]

I like HiRich's comments - from his views most of the ones at the circuit last weekend are a waste of money being scantily clad which puts all the woman off and they don't do anything like handing out stuff.
Maybe the model agency has been given the wrong list of requirements from the teams?

[Al Weyman]

Hey another thing, it is hard enough getting yer wife to stop moaning about yer racing (well it was in the past as you get older you just stop listening) let alone her seeing sexy scantily clad ladys on the grid. I can hear the 'Oh now I know why you are so keen on the sport' comments right now from er indoors.

[MSportUK]

The way I see it, having pretty girls about the place can only be a good thing, but the reason teams employ them is genuinely to get more coverage and exposure for their sponsor, the people who give them what IS essential - cash.

They have no effect whatsoever on the quality of racing, but coverage = sponsorship and they do bring in the money which makes the motorsport world go round.

The Embassy launch at this year's British GT media day was a prime example. Lots of photographers crowded round the garage taking snaps of the Embassy Girls around the new RSR for far longer than was really necessary and further down the pitlane, a conversation which summed it up perfectly...

"What's going on up there"
"They're doing the launch for Embassy Racing"
"Crikey, that's a lot of interest for yet another 911"
"Oh, there's a car there??"

I think there's a fair balancing act to be had with regard to outfits etc. Embassy have done fairly well with theirs IMO, with a bit of outfit variety, but a lot depends on market. In BTCC, WSR recently have opted for a toned down, more sophisticated version of the former XPower girls, SEAT are going with their longstanding theme of summery bright colours to balance their youth marketing needs, and Halford are aiming for the boy-racer market with their trashy stilettos and PVC look. All down to marketing!

[Snapper Baz]

Al, I get that in the ear most weekends-I'm sure she thinks thats all I go for...well actually....!

[aprescott]

Originally Posted by gridmodels

response to 'redshoes': yes maybe some of the girls are just 'bimbos' but the majority are not.

Just because you are beautiful does that mean you have no brain and can have no interest in motorsport? I worked as a grid-girl for 6 years and I enjoy following many different championships as an enthusiast. I have a degree from a top university and run my own company. Many of my girls do the grid as well as high-flying office jobs and university degrees. Most are just fun-loving girls who like the atmosphere just as other enthusiasts do.

And I say good for you!!!!

[Suze]

Yesterday I was at Castle Combe for F3 and grid girled for both races which is normal for me as I always do it for friends. Normally everyone's really nice and friendly to you, but yesterday I had an unfortunate experience with a startline marshal who seemed to think that because I was standing there / having photo taken / being filmed for tv it made me some kind of dumb bimbo which for the record I'm not. They decided that because I was stood there with a pole they could be as rude and derogatory as they liked.

Now, the reason I'm sharing this is because the thread is "are glamorous girls essential to motorsport" - this particular startline marshal had no qualms telling me (quote) "you are unnecessary on the grid" as well as a few other things - now I'm a pretty clever person, musical, intellectual and can speak a couple of other languages so although it didn't offend me as I'm not easily offended, I still found it very derogatory! This kind of thing isn't needed to be said even if it is their particular opinion. And I have to say, I felt sorry for the driver who's board I did for the second race because as he was sat there focusing she decided to take a pop at him too!

[Al Weyman]

Well that is very unfortunate Suze I can understand you felling upset at this. I may not agree the girls are essential as such but they brighten the place up and add to the atmosphere and there is absolutely no reason to be rude to any of them. I have found over the years that unfortunately some people in this sport are I am afraid, just too far up themselves if you get my drift.

[Suze]

I'm not upset, just a little annoyed to be tainted with a brush / stereotyped. I don't prance around half naked or anything and I'm not one of those trying to get every little bit of attention, it doesn't bother me. Just not always nice to be "labelled!"

[SeaneyC]

Well, there's being labelled, and then theres some marshall just being a complete (insert appropriate word) to you for no reason. And what did they say to the driver? "You're not needed here either" ?!?

Madness.

[Suze]

I was surprised to be honest.

The startline marshal in question claimed their feet had almost been run over (not true) and decided to lean into the cockpit and tell the driver exactly what they thought!

[Asp]

That's very dissapointing to hear Suze - as I'm sure you'll say it's not normal amongst marshals (we're all their to do our respective jobs), and it's wrong to treat anyone like that, be that grid-girl; driver; spectator; or fellow marshal.

[bella]

suze, i dare say in this case tho, f3 grid girls are unnecessary. drivers find their own place on the grid whether you're there or not, and it's not like there's a product being advertised by a girls presence...

[Suze]

no, but it's not right to speak to people like that whether f3 grid girls are advertising or not!

bella, will you please stick up for my case though of I'm not a bimbo??!!

[Grandslammer]

Suze....As a regular Marshal at Combe for 25 years (BUT NOT STARTLINE),I can only apologise for any remarks you had,over the weekend.Castle Combe Marshals are usually very well mannered. Might have been a visiting Marshal,but that's no excuse!! As for myself,couldn't see the Startline,being on the other side of the circuit.

[Sheila M]

Originally Posted by Suze

no, but it's not right to speak to people like that whether f3 grid girls are advertising or not!

bella, will you please stick up for my case though of I'm not a bimbo??!!

I'll stick up for you Suze. You are quite right in what you say - there is absolutely no excuse for rudeness. Being polite to a fellow human being isn't that difficult.

[Slippy Diff]

Originally Posted by Slippy Diff

Anyone would think some of you lot feel threatened by good looking girls............

In light of the last few posts, I shall quote this again. There are one or two posters who are just a little bit too vehement in their condemnation of grid girls. It's harmless, get over it.