366 replies to this topic

[glorius&victorius]

I was thinking about F1 (motorsports) vs. other sports... I wondered if Grid Girls are still something that we need today... i.e. politically correct.

I think that F1 can be glamourous by having stars, models etc in the paddock...but Grid Girls?...I feel that these women are portrayed in a degenerative way... the only reason they stand next to a driver or sit on a car is because they are busty, have good flowing hips, long legs and a pretty face.

http://www.f1cartvid...com/f1girl7.jpg
http://www.rodcollin...ddie-jordan.jpg

Edited by Buttoneer, 04 March 2010 - 13:11.
Removed defamatory remark "(for drivers like Adian Sutil)" in poll

[jmkaos]

I may need more photos like the first one to make a valid judgement on the matter.

[plastik2k9]

To be honest I haven't really noticed them.

[sminky]

One of the things I love about F1, along with all the competitiveness, the engineering marvels, the drivers, the personalities, is the glamour. The girls, the celebrities, the gossip, the politics. I think without all of that it loses a lot. I know it's all about the racing at the end of the day, but I love it all.

I think grid girls should be _more_ prominent, and up on the podium to hand over wreaths, drape themselves over the winner and get a snog in.

F1, for me, is about a whole package and not just the racing, although that is at the core.

sminky

[tifosiMac]

Yes they are.

[MadYarpen]

...the only reason they stand next to a driver or sit on a car is because they are busty, have good flowing hips, long legs and a pretty face....

This is exactly why we need them!

[Grenada]

I was thinking about F1 (motorsports) vs. other sports... I wondered if Grid Girls are still something that we need today... i.e. politically correct.

I think that F1 can be glamourous by having stars, models etc in the paddock...but Grid Girls?...I feel that these women are portrayed in a degenerative way... the only reason they stand next to a driver or sit on a car is because they are busty, have good flowing hips, long legs and a pretty face.

http://www.f1cartvid...com/f1girl7.jpg
http://www.rodcollin...ddie-jordan.jpg

I agree with you - it's pretty anachronistic in this day and age and very demeaning to women.

[Pharazon]

nothing wrong with them as far as i'm concerned...

if girls want to do it, and get paid for it, then why not? it's their frigging choice...


seems to me people are far too concerned with political corectness now a days

seriously?

http://yeinjee.com/w...uper-gt-059.jpg

what's not to love?

[Red 5]

I agree with you - it's pretty anachronistic in this day and age and very demeaning to women.

And?
Beautiful busty women, gotta love 'em and I dont see the grid girls complaining about the gig.

[UPRC]

If anything, we need MORE!

Train them for pit stops, I say.

[SoBizarre]

I beg your pardon! Girls are of supreme importance!

[Buttoneer]

Need? No, I don't think so. It's flim flam - bling - shiny shiny sparkly bits around the edge.

F1 could do far better for itself IMO.

They could have all sorts of worthy people out on the grid holding the banners - people who might otherwise not be able to get to F1 races, for example. How about having local competitions to get a place on the grid, or letting disabled kids do it so they can meet their heroes etc. So much good could come of being creative.

But people like it as it is.

[Mackey]

Fernando Alonso doesn´t approve this thread

[NightProwler]

Short answer: YES

Long answer: **** YES

[santori]

For me it isn't a question of political correctness, it's a question of tackiness. It's tacky, not glamourous (Catherine Deneuve is glamourous; David Bowie is glamourous).
And a thirty second internet search will find much more interesting pictures, anyway.

[Lights]

They could have all sorts of worthy people out on the grid holding the banners - people who might otherwise not be able to get to F1 races, for example. How about having local competitions to get a place on the grid, or letting disabled kids do it so they can meet their heroes etc. So much good could come of being creative.

Nice idea but you're forgetting it's a tough job. Over the years we've had plenty of grid girls fainting from standing in the heat too long. And they're pro's. Wouldn't want that to happen to disabled kids.

BTW, it would mean F1 does something for it's fans. Too weird.

[sminky]

Need? No, I don't think so. It's flim flam - bling - shiny shiny sparkly bits around the edge.

F1 could do far better for itself IMO.

They could have all sorts of worthy people out on the grid holding the banners - people who might otherwise not be able to get to F1 races, for example. How about having local competitions to get a place on the grid, or letting disabled kids do it so they can meet their heroes etc. So much good could come of being creative.

But people like it as it is.

I sort of agree but who the heck would want a disabled person to sit/stand in the glaring sunshine holding a flag for hours? That's no way to meet your idols. Organise more pit lane walks, be an engineer for the day, all those things would be great, but not to be a grid girl.

I love the shiny, sparkly bits and I think that's why it's successful, it's not just about the racing.

[rhukkas]

If you want to stop grid girls because it's 'backward' then stop motor racing all together as it could be tarnished with the same brush.

We live in a free country if someone wanst to hire a person to whole an umbrella in a cat suit then fine!

I am also sure that a lot of grid girls wouldn't be too happy to see themselves lose employment. A lot of them actually enjoy it. No one gets hurt and it's easy money!

Edited by rhukkas, 03 March 2010 - 14:39.

[korzeniow]

[Gilles4Ever]

If there weren't pit babes you couldn't have this

http://www.crash.net...tm_campaign=rss

[dabrasco]

I see the threadstarters point of view. In other sports they usually make the eye candy do something extra like cheerleading, dances etc so its not so obvious they are just eye candy while in F1 they just stand there making quite clear they are just something nice to look upon. Which is not conversant with the whole feminist /politically correct movement of present times.


Nevertheless, as a straight man its hard to say "no grid girls, no grid girls"....a little fleisch dont hurt nobody.

Id like to see more actually, hardly notice them nowadays except at the end of races. They need to make them do more, maybe help the drivers dress up or something like that:p

Edited by dabrasco, 03 March 2010 - 14:43.

[Ruf]

Reading the bolded part (Women, not decorations) I'm thinking that she doesn't agree with this thread either.
Protest fail++

[Don_Humpador]

I don't mind grid girls in that yes, it adds a bit of glamour to the grid.

What I don't particularly like is the "path" of women that they bring out after the race has been completed to clap the top 3 drivers as they head towards the podium. Feels rather unnecessary and detracts from the sporting values, since you often see the drivers talking to each other and whatnot.

[One]

Well some hates to exibit girls, but other love to have them.

[Orin]

[quote name='korzeniow' post='4191514' date='Mar 3 2010, 14:39'][http://i996.photobuc...ation.jpgquote]

That sign would have worked better it it began with "Some".

I can't really see the issue. Where do we draw the line? Carnival floats?

[Buttoneer]

Nice idea but you're forgetting it's a tough job. Over the years we've had plenty of grid girls fainting from standing in the heat too long. And they're pro's. Wouldn't want that to happen to disabled kids.

BTW, it would mean F1 does something for it's fans. Too weird.

Maybe restrict it to the wheelchair bound then?

No you're right, maybe not. Or maybe it just doesn't have to be that taxing? They're actually not on the grid for 'hours' and if the pole is long enough it can be resting on the ground, and they can bring a responsible adult along.

Anyway the central thrust of my point - that they could do a lot more with this coveted job - stands.

It would be better if each team were allowed to draw names from their fanclub membership and invite them along to do the job and watch the race from the motorhomes etc.

[Anssi]

politically correct

There are not many things I can say I hate but this thing called political correctness is very quickly becoming one thing I could say I really, really hate

[Lights]

What I don't particularly like is the "path" of women that they bring out after the race has been completed to clap the top 3 drivers as they head towards the podium. Feels rather unnecessary and detracts from the sporting values, since you often see the drivers talking to each other and whatnot.

I never understood the point of that either, although I don't see how that detracts from the sporting values. But it's completely useless, although the drivers don't seem to mind.

[sephiroth]

Its the same as cheerleaders. Ideally it wouldn't be something that should be a part of a sport but sex sells so what can you do?

something extra like cheerleading

You mean cheering for a team instead of playing? Even grid girls have a more reasonable job - they hold up the grid number!

[roadie]

I think they are largely unnecessary, especially at the conclusion of some recent races where the podium finishers have had to walk down a hallway of grinning, clapping girls before drying themselves off and going to the podium.

I don't mind the girls displaying drivers' numbers pre-race though. It's pretty harmless stuff.

[One]

I mean Formula One with no Gird Girl is like Car with no Gas...

[froggy22]

didnt they have grid "guys" once? whatever tickles your fancy. i dont see much wrong with it. Although the mascot idead that they do in football would be good to see

[One]

For get Grid guys. Forget it.

[sprocket]

You do realize that beautiful girls actually like showing how beautiful they are? And that being a grid girl on a F1 race with all its glamor, famous pilots and celebrities all over the grid is a life time experience for most of the 20 something old? Now, why would you want to take all this away from them? There is nothing wrong with a bit of beauty in this world, there is less and less of it these days.

Edited by sprocket, 03 March 2010 - 14:56.

[One]

THose who do dislike to see girls on Formula One Grid should simple not see Formula One. I mean, Grid Guys, forget it.

[Buttoneer]

If Danica Patrick got an F1 drive I reckon she ought to have a Chippendale.

[froggy22]

didnt they have grid "guys" once? whatever tickles your fancy. i dont see much wrong with it. Although the mascot idead that they do in football would be good to see

when i said "i dont see much wrong with it" i was refering to the girls

[One]

when i said "i dont see much wrong with it" i was refering to the girls

[One]

If Danica Patrick got an F1 drive I reckon she ought to have a Chippendale.

Yes, let us wait and see. So far we manage to see not to find Grid Guy at the Force India car...

[Szoelloe]

Are Grid Girls still something we need today?

this is not a valid question. Do we need more? yes, that is a valid question. the answer: ALL THE TIME, MATE, the more there are the better. Bring them on!

[HoldenRT]

To be honest, most times I don't even notice them.

Alot of people like to say that political correctness in this day and age is way over the top. I am on the fence. I saw the movie a few nights ago "Revenge of the Nerds" and it brought back some good memories. Someone said to me that if this movie were made in this day and age it couldn't be aired.. the nerds would be sued for the panty raid into the sorority house and placing cameras, and Louis Skulnic would be charged with rape (even though she enjoyed herself and ditched her boyfriend for him). Have we lost the concept of a sense of humour, of satire, of a joke? Then I see some old fashioned people complaining about it and it seems they are racist (or hateful etc) and are peeved that they can't tell their jokes anymore without getting bad looks. So there are pros and cons.

But if grid girls are removed in the name of PC, I will be on the fence no longer! Plastic surgery, boob implants, lypo, retouching of magazine covers etc etc it's all very silly. But these girls are not being forced to do those things, they are simply attractive girls and it's a bit of fun. No more no less.

Eddie Jordan agrees with me.

http://www.singapore...ddie-jordan.jpg[/img]
http://2.bp.blogspot...400/f1girl6.jpg[/img]
http://www.permafros...abes/babe03.jpg[/img]
http://www.virginmed...eddiejordan.jpg[/img]

[Rinehart]

Oh ffs, sooner later the pc brigade are going to ban "fun". Mark my words!

[HoldenRT]

You do realize that beautiful girls actually like showing how beautiful they are? And that being a grid girl on a F1 race with all its glamor, famous pilots and celebrities all over the grid is a life time experience for most of the 20 something old? Now, why would you want to take all this away from them? There is nothing wrong with a bit of beauty in this world, there is less and less of it these days.

I thought that point was made quite well with the pic that korzeniow posted. The women are not decorations pic. The lady holding the sign is priceless. Credibility = 0.

edit - Then again, with the name of my theme song maybe my credibility isn't great either.

Edited by HoldenRT, 03 March 2010 - 15:08.

[KWSN - DSM]

Q: Are Grid Girls still something we need today?

A: Yes.

[ex Rhodie racer 2]

Need? No, I don't think so. It's flim flam - bling - shiny shiny sparkly bits around the edge.

F1 could do far better for itself IMO.

They could have all sorts of worthy people out on the grid holding the banners - people who might otherwise not be able to get to F1 races, for example. How about having local competitions to get a place on the grid, or letting disabled kids do it so they can meet their heroes etc. So much good could come of being creative.

But people like it as it is.

Worthy? In what sense? And why would they not be able to get to a F1 race? The only reason I can think of would be lack of money, but I hardly see why that would make them more worthy.
I´m not sure why a disabled person has any more right to meet their heroes than a not disabled person.
How would creativity produce goodness?
What a strange post.

[Lazarus II]

OMG I just figured out that "sex sells"!!!

Armed with this new revelation I will become a marketing wizard and I will take Hollywood by storm!

[One]

And it will be all boys on the screen.

[HoldenRT]

OMG I just figured out that "sex sells"!!!

Armed with this new revelation I will become a marketing wizard and I will take Hollywood by storm!

What is the name of the product you are pimping in your avatar, I want to buy it!

[ex Rhodie racer 2]

There´s no fool like an old fool.

Edited by mel, 04 March 2010 - 15:23.

[valachus]

"Are Grid Girls still something we need today?"

Is it a trick question?



...still thinking. Is it?