Denise Yeung
A star in the traditionally male-dominated sport of car racing, Denise Yeung has proved that women can hold their own behind the wheel. She tells Alice Wan how she got involved in the sport and what it’s like to be the only female racecar driver in Hong Kong.
HK Magazine: How did you become a racecar driver?
Denise Yeung: I don’t actually race as an occupation—it’s just a hobby. I love it because of the speed and excitement. I participated in a touring car race for the first time in 2009. Surprisingly, I won, even though I hadn’t practiced at all! At that moment, I realized I could be a great racer. But it wasn’t until I was given a car by my god-brother in 2012 that I started actively racing.
HK: How does your experience differ from that of male drivers?
DY: I have to prepare more than they do, but the most inconvenient part would be changing clothes. It takes longer for women to put on the outfit. Another trouble is makeup. Men don’t tend to worry about sun exposure, but female racers care more about putting on sunscreen. I’ve found myself paying more attention to skin care since I became an active racer—I always do whitening treatments!
HK: Are there any disadvantages to being a woman behind the wheel?
DY: Men and women can both be excellent racers, as the key in car racing is in concentration, technique and physical strength. Concentration and technique do not differ between the sexes. Physical strength is the least important, and women can always improve it by training.
HK: What are some stereotypes?
DY: Female drivers are stereotyped as weak, while the men all think they are better than the others and won’t consult with their opponents. That’s good for me, though: the men are usually willing to share their views with me, because they regard me as a worse driver. But at the same time, they won’t let themselves lose to me. When I’m about to pass them, they’ll hit my car on purpose.
HK: Why is car racing male-dominated?
DY: I’ve met some female racers, but they don’t compete frequently. I’m the only one. Some of them joined once and found it unsuitable, while others couldn’t keep up with the others and gave up. Most women are indecisive in the race and are not as fierce as others. Finding sponsorship is another problem. That’s why car racing is still very much dominated by men.
HK: How do male drivers react when they lose?
DY: Some men can’t accept the fact that they’ve been overtaken by a woman. They would rather crash into me than let me take the lead. This has happened twice, and one of them was a friend of mine. He said he just couldn’t afford to lose to a woman, so he bumped into my car. But he apologized afterwards. I guess he wouldn’t have done it if I was a male racer.