With the onset of puberty many girls find themselves at a physical disadvantage especially if placed in classes against older boys. A number of young karters reported being verbally abused and alleged to have been knocked off tracks on purpose. Many girls felt they were over-scrutinized especially if they had done well as a number of people would accuse them of cheating. Finance and support. Many found the sport financially straining and lacked family support often paramount in a boy's career For those women who remain in the sport the main pressure seems to be financial and lack of support, both financial and emotional.
Many female drivers find it difficult to obtain funds for what is an expensive sport.
Whilst many male drivers note extensive support from friends and family this appears to be lacking for many women drivers as they are deemed too risky a prospect. American Indycar driver, Janet Guthrie notes, despite competing in the Indy 500 and being placed 9 th , she retired from racing because of financial reasons. Of the few female drivers to ever race in Formula One, Lella Lombardi and Giovanna Amati both entered the sport with considerable financial backing and were therefore seen as effectively buying their seat. The reasons cited for the lack of women drivers and the belief there will never be competitive female drivers at elite levels are many and varied. Many cite women's lack of physical strength and stamina as a reason they are unable to compete at top levels though this may be misleading and is an area of much physiological debate.