Women in the fast lane

High-flying women want cars to match their status

Women drivers look set to overtake men on the roads in the next 10 years.

The number of women drivers is growing faster than the number of men and most of them are no longer satisfied with a second-hand Mini.

Women drivers are succeeding in the male-dominated racing world

They want fast, powerful cars instead.

The motor industry has been slow to recognise the new trend but it seems women drivers may at last be leaving their stereotyped image at the lights.

More women are beginning to take up motor racing competitively and sponsors are backing them with hard cash.

Leading MGF racing driver, Suzi Hart-Banks, said: "I think a lot of girls are now growing up, realising you can do this sort of thing.

There could be more than 20 million women drivers within the next 10 years

"I am out there proving you can compete on an equal footing with the guys.

"I am winning races. I was second in my championships last year."

Equality on the race track is one thing but equality on the open road is another.

Some car manufacturers still do not take female drivers seriously. But according to the latest industry reports, women could soon outnumber men on the roads.

There could be more than 20 million women drivers in the next 10 years if current trends continue.

An increasing number are buying performance cars to express their growing social and economic independence.

Anne Gill, a company director and owner of a TVR sports car, said: "Women driving a car like this in the past would have undoubtedly have had them bought by men, a husband, perhaps a boyfriend.

"Now of course it is very different. Maybe it is a case of having a sticker saying it is mine, I paid for it. And a smaller one saying that my husband's car is a Mini."

Women's enthusiasm for driving is even having an impact on the BBC's Top Gear programme.

Jeremy Clarkson: More women drivers? Great!

Motoring journalist, Jeremy Clarkson, said: "Ten years ago women used to be content with an ironing board and a Fiesta and that just does not happen anymore.

"Ten years ago I'd walk into a room and they would run out screaming in case I talked to them about track rod ends.

"But now they come over and ask what is the new Mercedes or Porsche like? It's great."

Later this month the first motoring magazine exclusively for Britain's women will go on sale.

The contents range from lipstick to dipstick.

Angela Giveon of the "Nuts About Motoring" magazine said: "They want knowledge. They want to know which car to buy. That is something we are going to do in a women-friendly fashion."

So next time somebody overtakes in that dream machine - don't be surprised if that someone is a woman.