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NASCAR/CART/NHRA: Female Race Fans Gear Up for Christmas

22 November 2000

Motorsports has experienced a huge explosion in popularity, and one glance around the stands at a NASCAR race proves that women constitute the fastest growing segment of the racing audience. They now make up nearly 40% of the television viewing audience as well as trackside, and have become very knowledgeable about the sport.

Several companies are responding to the increased level of interest in racing, by targeting merchandise to the female motorsports fan on-line, in time for Christmas. As motorsports marketing is reflected in the new age of e-tailing, Thunder Valley Racing, (http://thundervalleyracing.com) a website devoted to women in motorsports and their fans, has compiled a selection of links featuring a variety of gifts for female race fans.

Motorsport themed clothing, especially designed for female fans is at the top of the Christmas list. T-shirts, sweatshirts and caps can be purchased at Fastjane.com, with free shipping until November 30. Enginewear.com has CART and Chevrolet licensed merchandise, as well as a line of NASCAR driver, Mark Martin, merchandise.

For the young fan, Toys R Us offers Barbie collectibles with NASCAR Barbie, Harley-Davidson Barbie and Scuderia Ferrari Barbie, priced from $37.99 - $69.99. Teenage fans may want to get involved in 15 year-old Ashley Power's Goosehead.com, who sponsored NHRA drag-racing star, Shirley Muldowney's effort at this year's US Nationals. The very popular Muldowney also offers t-shirts, die-cast models, sweatshirts, hats and signed posters on her website.

Another motorsport legend, Indy 500 driver, Lyn St. James, has a line of jewelry including pins, bracelets and earrings, with all proceeds from the collection going to the Lyn St. James Foundation supporting women in motor racing.

For a truly unforgettable Christmas, Racingschools.com offers a variety of driving experiences for the most enthusiastic race fan. Sarah Fisher and Patty Moise 'wannabes' can experience driving either open wheel or stock cars with packages ranging from US$349 to $2,999 for the ultimate drive. Passenger rides and photo packages are available for the less adventurous. Driving101 offers a holiday special... buy one CART driving experience at full price for a gift, and get one for yourself for half price. Programs include classroom and trackside instruction with 9 miles behind the wheel.

For all the details, links and more information about women in motorsports, check out http://thundervalleyracing.com. Thunder Valley Racing celebrates, supports, and promotes women race car drivers working at all levels of the sport. Drivers of the Month range from women racing at local dirt tracks to professional drivers with aspirations to move ever higher in stock car, open wheel, sports car, and exotic forms of the sport. Thunder Valley Racing is taking the lead in bringing sponsorship and innovative marketing strategies to skilled women drivers.

Text Provided By Darkhorse Communications

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.