I think the 'losing to a girl' thing is overrated. I dont think most care who they lose to be it male or female. Maybe some of the 'old guys' (cough) feel that way but most think a pro is a pro. With experience and success the respect of fellow drivers will come no matter the gender. This will be even less of an issue with the upcoming gen of racers as there are plenty of winning girl drivers in the junior dragsters and have been for some time.
Im with Dave on the fuel car is a fuel car. Landlocked missle short or long. Bad things happen too quickly. Being a lot closer to the 12 second guy Dave spoke of than a sub five second guy makes this all speculation on my part but one day Eddie Hill told me that the first second and a half of a fuel car run leaves the driver frozen with very little vision and even less ability to react. He said that he was of the opinion that it was becoming even more a a young drivers sport as they recover vision quicker and could make quicker corrections. He also said that through the years he and other drivers (he wouldnd name names) would develope bad habits of anticipating problems before they happen and reacting incorrectly or before a problem that wouldnt even happen. Anotherwords they as a driver felt behind and over anticipation would create problems that may not be there.

And Dave, dont downplay your trips into the 6's. Thats way faster than most of us will EVER go and with some of the more wild n wooly runs ive seen coming from cars in the 6-7 second range you've got my respect. Driver wise anyway, now if I could just work on your politics