When attending a concentration, rally or automobile fair there is always one constant in relation to the public: the low presence of women in these events. A fact that must be overcome in our times because, after all, such a lack of female presence seriously harms the entire hobby, which is diminished in relation to the diversity of approaches and analysis.
However, fortunately, more and more women are present and active in the automotive field. Something of which Ariadna Verge gives a good account, one of the most respected people in relation to high-end and that, after twenty years at Porsche, she made the leap to be Director of Commercial Business Development at Quadis.
A high responsibility from which he intervenes in the marketing of such representative brands as Jaguar, Lamborghini, Maserati, Aston Martin or Ferrari. Without a doubt, a privileged vantage point for knowing in depth the most exclusive sector of motorsport although, at the same time, he also expresses his consideration for the classics by enjoying a Mercedes "Ponton” from the fifties.
And, not in vain, Ariadna Verge is part of the board of directors of the Antic Car Club of Catalonia. Likewise, since its creation it has been one of the most visible faces of Women's Supercars Club; an interesting -and necessary- initiative that we have been able to discuss through a talk with her herself.
WOMEN IN MOTORSPORTS
Speaking with Ariadna Verge we began to discuss the presence of women in motorsports. And wow, in this sense it is impossible not to remember the event carried out by Bertha Benz in 1888. Considered the first long-distance trip by automobile, this consisted of covering the 12 kilometers of the route over 106 hours, marked by people amazed, incredulous and even fearful of what they were contemplating.
In short, one of the great milestones in the history of transportation and which also gave an example of how far a firm and determined woman can go even in an era full of prejudice and inequality. One of those powerful facts capable not only of raising awareness but also of inspire women who, little by little, are taking up jobs in the automotive sector.
Of course, according to Ariadna Verge herself, progress - although constant - is so slow that the existence of wide inequality is still undeniable. In fact, although public equality policies are giving greater quotas for female presence, a simple look at the management positions gives us a clue about the great task that still remains to be done.
Something about which institutions, companies and - this is very important - the motor racing fans themselves must be aware.
COLLECTING IS CULTURE, THE WOMEN'S SUPERCAR CLUB EMERGES
Both Ariadna Verge and the Women's Supercar Club have Barcelona as their base, a city in which motor culture is breathed thanks to the mark left by Hispano-Suiza, the races in Montjuïc or, going on two wheels, the magnificent story by Montesa, Bultaco, Sanglas, Ducati-Mototrans or OSSA.
However, during the course of our talk, the lack of awareness demonstrated by public institutions when it came to protecting this legacy came to light. Legacy that, on many occasions, has undertaken the border route with a large exodus of units to the United Kingdom, Belgium or Germany.
Something for which we must insist on the organization of the automobile hobby, finding in initiatives such as the Women's Supercar Club a perfect lever in order to redirect the situation. Furthermore, in this case we are not just talking about a club for passionate women for sports or high-end motorsports; Far from this, there is also an instructive concern for the past, organizing visits to the Antique Car Club with the aim of knowing the technique of the most veteran vehicles.
WITHOUT FORGETTING THE YOUTH
Be a woman, of legal age and have an obvious love for cars. These are the only rules to become part of the Women's Supercar Club. three requirements with which the life of what, at this moment, is already a reference for the fan of motorsports in a woman's key is being configured.
However, this club also expresses a clear concern for spreading the hobby among youth, having formed the New Generations section. A section in which membership is mixed, thus organizing events with the car at the center of its agenda open to both boys and girls belonging to the younger segment.
Anyway, this is just the beginning and, surely, we will be able to report shortly on new actions organized from the Women's Supercar Club; always with an eye toward a greater presence of women in the automotive field.