pressdog Loves the Ladies: Maryeve Dufault

Holy smoldering French Canadian. It's Maryeve Dufault, "developmental driver" for FAZZT Racing.

But wait ... is it fair for me to call her a "smoldering French Canadian?"

Am I emphasizing looks over racing talent? How do female racers balance the two?

Is Maryeve "using her tools" to get a ride or does she have to prove she's not just a pretty face at the track?

Find out below as Maryeve Dufault , the pride of suburban Sorel, Quebec, Canada, joins the prestigious ranks of Women of pressdog.com with this most excellent answers to my questions.

pressdog: Your bio mentions that your family was involved into all sorts of extreme sports. Is that some kind of genetic predisposition, or where does that come from?

Maryeve: Well, my bio says I love extreme sports, any extreme sports. Why? Simply because I find fear really exciting and challenging.

pressdog: I read you're driving and racing karts a lot these days. Do you feel your bigger car driving experience is lacking, or is this pretty representative for your tenure in the sport, or do you see yourself as in the early stages of your career?

Maryeve: I have been driving genuine competition karts for a long time. They are the best things to keep you in shape mentally and physically. It provides you valuable seat time, mechanical knowledge and sensitivity for chassis handling that is really helpful in the formula cars. If I'm not driving a single seater, you bet you will find me behind the wheel of a kart. I'm driving as much as possible -- that's what is important. Racing is not a low-budget sport where you pick up a ball and go practice in a park. You have to find ways around to make it happen.

pressdog: What's been the biggest challenge you face for moving up to car racing?

Maryeve: Budget is always a big challenge. It's extremely hard to find the money needed.

pressdog: What are some of the possibilities you see in working with FAZZT? Could you compete in the Firestone Indy Lights series?

Maryeve: Well, we will be making an announcement shortly. Be patient!

pressdog: What are your goals for 2010?

Maryeve: I want to have a successful season in a competitive motorsport series and work really hard to make it happen. I would also like to find my own limitation on the race track -- mentally and physically -- and get the best out of me. I want to know me better.

pressdog: What attracts you to racing? What's the big benefit for you? The reason you're super geeked to get into the car?

Maryeve: It's very simple: racing and a strong competitive attitude are in my blood. I want to win. I'm a really passionate individual and I have a lot of dedication for the sports I deeply love. It makes me happy and a better person :) and it brings me a lot of satisfaction.

pressdog: There seems to be a trend toward female racers mixing in at least some "glamor"-type photos, into their web sites and portfolios. You obviously are fully comfortable with photos of yourself wearing swimsuits for example. Can you talk a little bit about how a female athlete has to approach the question of how much to use look and sex appeal in marketing herself? How did you decide how far to go?

Maryeve: Well, fashion is part of our world. You see that also with athletes, singers, and actresses and also with people you don't see in the media. I believe people are curious to see you under a different spotlight, or in a totally different environment. I never really though of using my look to get something because I'm really a tomboy.

It just came a part of my business because people were asking me to do photo shoots and it helped me get some money to purchased new tires to go on my kart and everything else that is needed to go racing.

If it has to do with racing, why not? I have no problem with posing in a bathing suit. I also love the beach, who doesn't? To me, this is perfectly normal. I'm happy and I'm confident when I race. In fact, I race in my head during a photo shoot! It brings out my feminine side.

Sometimes people like to comment on it or find it shocking. Maybe they should spend more time at the beach to acclimate! Even if I had come from a wealthy family that accepted to help me with my racing, I would do the modeling anyway. For me, it's kind of an art. And if it helps my marketing and attract some sponsorship, well let's go racing.

pressdog: Are you concerned that you will get labeled as just a pretty face and not given credit as a race car driver? Talk about the balancing act between femininity and building your reputation as a legitimate driver.

Maryeve: I believe the society has a hard time mixing the pretty and the good. If you don't look cute or as feminine as you should, people don't give you much of a hard time. Sometime they categorize you and it forces you to work really hard to prove them wrong. I don't dislike that because it makes me a much stronger individual. It makes me more perseverant and more dedicated and determined than ever before. It pushes me to work harder to prove them wrong, so it kind of reverse psychology.

In the meantime, the race team and sponsors trust you and believe in you because they only look at the racing side of yourself. It is side of my personally everyday people are not aware of. The team members know you personally and the relationship is different. They know that you want to succeed as a racing car driver, and you're not just another pretty face. They know where you're coming from and what you're aiming at. I really hope to share my whole story one day.

pressdog: From reading your bio, it doesn't sound as if your father or parents discouraged you from doing extreme sports, etc. Is that true? Were they always comfortable with letting you do everything the boys wanted to do, sports wise?

Maryeve: Well, my parents wanted me to do whatever made me happy. I grew up with a brother who was older than me and I always wanted to do what he did. My dad is a kid at heart and always had the rebel side in him. That might have had an influence on me. I'm a really strong-headed person. Very determined. I don't like being told what to do. But I am also a big listener and a fast learner, and when I know I don't forget.

I basically grew up on the race tracks where my dad used to race. He was competing in motorcycle ice racing, dirt flat oval tracks and also raced against a certain Gilles Villeneuve early in his career. So racing is no stranger to me.

pressdog: Do young girls talk to you about racing? What advice would you give them?

Maryeve: Yes, they often come and talk to me at the racetrack. I tell them not to give up!! Visualize yourself where you want to be, think positively and don't wait for people to make things happen for you. Put your head down and make them happen!

pressdog: Have any other women influenced how you've approached your career?

Maryeve: Not really. I'm doing my own things, my own way. There are no set patterns to climb the motorsport ladder. Everyone has a different path. And since it is a male dominated sports, there are not as many women who can influence me.

pressdog: Who are your favorite drivers/role models/inspirations?

Maryeve: I don't really have role models, but I admire work, dedication and competence.

pressdog: What did you want to be when you were ten years old?

Maryeve: Anything related to speed and engine.

pressdog: Have you ever driven on an oval? Are you a little scared out about the possibilities? Excited?

Maryeve: I've not driven on an oval in the competitive situation but I'm not freaked out. I definitely love challenges and if I can race on ovals, it would certainly be a steep learning curve but I'm ready for it.

pressdog: When you get angry or excited, do you bust off in French or English?

Maryeve: Both! Hahaha!!!

Merci beaucop/thank you very much, Maryeve. Check out Maryeve's Web site HERE. Eyeball the FAZZT Racing site here. Catch up with the rest of the Women of pressdog.com here.

Comments

[Roy Hobbson]

Sweet Mother Mary of Jesus.

[Savage Henry]

I only have a very vague recollection of some driver that wants to start driving taxicabs. What was her name?

[H. B. Donnelly]

Savage Henry, I think I remember the person you're talking about...Dan-something? Danielle, maybe? I dunno, my mind has been officially put into reset mode.

Mmlle. Dufault looks like one of the models the F1 folks hire to be grid girls...except she's jump in the car when it's time to race! Trés Bien!

[stick500]

pressdog, how do you pronounce her first name?
mary-eve, mary-ev, mari-ev??
also, do you realize our homegirl Jill George was the one who survived that ugly wreck in the ARCA race?- got to see her at Dubuque last summer and she said hi to my girls...
seems to be fine today! just got an e-mail from her

[pressdog]

I think it's Mary-Eve, as in the two names mashed together. Shoot Jill George my URL or email ([email protected])! Fellow Iowan. I'd love to talk to her.

[pressdog]

I was impressed with the quality of Maryeve's answers. Pretty sure she wrote them all herself and emailed to me. She's well spoken and she hit the "how much skin" stuff head on. Props to her.

[GeorgeK]

Great questions Dog, even more impressive answers from the young lady. I only hope she is as fast on track as she is hot looking in photos.