Most motorsport formulae are open to women but very few actually compete.
The only woman ever to score points in the F1 World Championship was Lella Lombardi who scored half a point in 1975. Pat Moss and Michele Mouton won International Rallies outright.
"Club Formula Woman is a unique concept for women wanting to enter the competitive world of racing, as well as those simply wanting to develop their driving skills.
In 2003, over 10,000 women applied to be one of the 16 women chosen to race in the first all female Formula Woman Championship.
This is an exclusive Club for women with a passion for driving, with the added benefit of being attainable and affordable to women from all walks of life. They operate in an entirely female environment, removing the stigma of intimidating, male dominated driving days. "
(Formula Woman Web site)
Perhaps the greatest woman motorsport competitor is Shirley Muldowney, the American Top Fuel drag racer who in a career lasting over thirty years has won numerous national titles. Many girls compete successfully in junior formula such as karting and ministocks, but rarely transfer this ability to senior formulae.
In grass track racing there are separate classes for male and female competitors. However the top female competitors often take out a men's licence, which enables them to race in men's races - but they can't race in women's races!
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