Q&A with the Subie Girls: “Don't be afraid to get dirty!”
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Stepping into the world of import tuners and performance mods can be intimidating and awkward for most women. You’re surrounded by boys and their toys… what if they don’t want to share? Back in 2006, Sarah Taylor and Margo Romanowski met at the first ever NESIC (New England Subaru Impreza Club) “Girlie Meet” and bonded over their mutual interest in cars. Soon they met other women eager to share their love of turbo engines and personalized customization, and by June 2009 Sarah and Margo formed subiegirls.com. With over 200 members already, the website and forum has quickly become a gathering place for girls all over the world to talk about getting down and dirty in WD-40.
1. How did both of you become interested in car culture?
Sarah: After buying my car I joined nasioc.com [the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club]. I didn’t immediately utilize what the website had to offer. About a year after having my car I started to search the website for some answers to questions I had. I networked with some guys who lived locally and they taught me a lot about my car. I started going to meets and from there it grew into car shows, autocross events and more. The New England Subaru Club has a slogan, “Join for the cars, stay for the people.” This could not be any more true for me.
Margo: My interest began when I was very little. I collected the little play cars and had mini races with my younger brother. I was also very eager to help when my dad was working on our vehicles throughout the years. During college I joined regional car clubs that participated in autocross as well as other performance events. Eventually, I joined NASIOC (once I got my second Subaru) and have enjoyed being a part of this community.
2. When did you purchase your first Subaru? How did you customize it?
Sarah: I purchased my first and only Subaru in Octoer of 2005. The first thing I did to customize my car was to put in a new shift knob. Next came STi BBS goldies for summer wheels. After buying a catless turbo back exhaust and flashing my car with Cobb Stage II engine management, the “mod bug bit” and I upgrade something whenever the opportunity arises!
Margo: I got my first Subaru for my 18th birthday. My 1990 Loyale was affectionately named “The Jet” because of its massive exhaust issues. I never got to do anything to the vehicle except putting my high school graduation tassel on the rear view mirror because the car died only two months after I owned it. I have since made up for the lack of mods with my 2nd Subaru!
3. Was there a specific incident that made you aware of the need for an organization like Subie Girls?
Sarah: Car organizations and forums are male dominated. The guys I hung out with didn’t care about my new purse, and the girls I hung out with didn’t care about my dyno chart. I set out to find girls with the same automotive and feminine interests as me and found that they were looking for the same kind of friendship! It was clear that we needed an organization and place to share what we had in common.
Margo: I agree with Sarah. My previous regional car club had a separate place for just the girls in their forum. It was really nice to have a place to talk about our cars and other things that the guys might not appreciate like we would. When I joined NASIOC, there just wasn’t that type of environment. Once I met Sarah for the first time, it was a no-brainer. We needed something like that for all the girls in the NASIOC community.
4. Tell us a bit about what you do with Subie Girls and the extent of your community.
Sarah: I do a little bit of everything with Subie Girls. I update the website, moderate the forum, design our clothing and marketing materials, plan fundraisers, organize meets and the list goes on. I get the girls excited about the group and get them involved in our fundraisers. I encourage the girls to learn and to teach others. It’s a very positive environment!
Margo: I use my marketing degree to help Sarah and I brainstorm new ways of getting the Subie Girls name out there. I go out and network with various businesses that can help us achieve our goals for marketing and charity. I am a trade show manager during my normal work hours, and I help to organize our presence at various events.
5. What would you like girls who are interested in cars to know?
Sarah: Don’t hide in the woodwork! Ask questions, pick up a wrench or get behind the wheel. We all had to start somewhere and knowledge is power. If you are a female and aren’t new to cars, share your knowledge! There are many females would love to learn from you.
Margo: Going off from that -- don't be afraid to get dirty and make your car what you want it to be. Also, follow your heart and your own interests -- don't let anyone put you down for what you like and what you want to do with your car. It is an extension of you, not someone else.
6. How wide is the Subie Girls community?
Sarah: The Subie Girls community reaches both coasts of the US and pretty much anywhere in between. We have girls representing Hawaii and Alaska and there are a couple of international members as well.
Margo: For a fledgling community, we have been very successful in spreading the word throughout the country. We get new members every day from girls spreading the word.
7. It’s not just for women, right? What’s been the response from men toward Subie Girls?
Sarah: While Subie Girls was created to give women a welcoming environment to learn and share information, we don’t discriminate against men. We welcome men to join the forum and encourage them to participate in our events and fundraisers. So far I have been told by a few men that what we’re doing is great. I think they appreciate and respect our interest and knowledge and so far they have been very supportive of our efforts to help the community.
Margo: We didn’t want to be a “Girls Only” community. We acknowledge the fact that there are some men that have a lot of know-how, and we welcome men who are willing to be teachers and supporters of anyone willing to learn about their cars. We believe that diversity will make us stronger, and allow for a better spread of ideas.
8. What is Scoobies for Boobies?
Sarah: Scoobies for Boobies is a fundraiser I created in October of 2008 to raise awareness in the Subaru community about breast cancer and to unite Subaru enthusiasts to help find a cure. In 2008 we raised $5,000 for the American Cancer Society, and in October of 2009 we raised $8,000! This fundraiser is Subie Girls’ largest charity effort during the year.
Margo: With what Sarah said, we were able to spread the word outside of our local New England area and reach people across the country and internationally. We are so excited to begin the process of expanding our efforts further for 2010. Our plan is to be a standalone non-profit organization that has ongoing fundraising efforts. We wish to exemplify the Subaru brand’s dedication to charity.
9. What are the stereotypes about women and cars that you’d like to destroy?
Sarah: I’d like to destroy the stereotype that women are helpless when it comes to cars. I think that some women get easily intimidated when it comes to things like checking the air pressure in their tires or the level of oil/other fluids in their car. There are very basic things that everyone, man or women, should know about their car.
Margo: For me, I would like to see destroyed the stereotype that women are not conscientious and generally poorly skilled drivers in general. One goal of Subie Girls is to provide opportunities to learn how to be a more alert and safe driver. All too often I see women get turned off to the idea that they can participate in motorsport events because of how they are perceived as a driver.
10. From your time at events and at shows, do you have any good stories about breaking stereotypes?
Sarah: In my experience, if you’re a female at a car event and you ask a question, make a comment, or enter a conversation that shows your knowledge about cars, most men are even momentarily taken back. They may look at you funny or just get a big goofy grin. They just don't expect it! Something even that small breaks the mold that women are cast in when it comes to the car world.
Margo: My best friend tried her hand at autocross when she first got her brand new Subaru TS. There were some snide comments and chuckles until her time was posted - she did better than some of the more veteran drivers! Now they see her more as formidable competitor. I like that.
11. The world of auto tuning is sometimes divided between performance modifications and “Pimp My Ride” customizations. Which side do you favor in this divide?
Sarah: Performance modifications! My Subaru is my only car. While there are many things that I would like to purchase to make my car look nicer, it is parked outside, I have to dodge potholes everyday and unfortunately people always find ways to put door dings and dents into it. I’d hate to spend money on a new lip only to be mad when it cracks because my car is lowered and can't clear a driveway. I love the way my car feels after a new performance modification. To me a “pretty mod” won’t beat pull in 5th gear because of new tune or less body roll in a tight curve because of better sway bars. Performance mods can even make the car sound better. My personal favorites are my turbo spooling and that amazing boxer rumble.
Margo: I favor modifications that enhance the safety of my vehicle, which can generally be perceived as performance but sometimes aesthetic. My 15-year-old Impreza Coupe shows her years on the outside, but she has upgrades on the inside and many more planned. I upgraded my brakes, upgraded my seats to provide more support while I drive, new tires and rims, and some other minor upgrades that keep my Subaru running safely. I plan on doing some exhaust work, upgrades to my suspension, and maybe a few aesthetic things to round it out.
12. Can you tell a bit about your international membership?
Sarah: International membership is small so far but we’re definitely getting the word out there. We have forum members from Canada, Puerto Rico and Singapore to name a few. Scoobies for Boobies spread breast cancer awareness and news about Subie Girls to people in Taiwan and Germany; this was very exciting for us!
Margo: I was amazed at how word of our Scoobies for Boobies fundraising campaign traveled around the world -- we definitely hope we can expand further next year!
13. Which countries/cities would you like to visit the most? Is there a specific place with a strong female tuner scene?
Sarah: Japan is currently top on my list of countries I’d like to visit. I can’t even begin to imagine what some of the female tuners there would have to show! Australia would be a lot of fun to visit. I’ve seen some pretty awesome Subarus pictures from there. I can’t wait to get back to Southern California. There are definitely female tuners in that area and I was able to hang out with some of them when I was there. Colorado has a strong Subaru community and I have heard there are quite a few females involved. I’d like to get there too.
Margo: I noticed a lot of females that were getting into the scene in Texas as well as other parts of the Midwest. I would love to do a cross-country road trip and try and meet women from all parts of the country!
14. Whose customized car do you admire the most?
Sarah: I’ve never actually picked one car to admire the most. A daily driver that I admire has great performance and aesthetic, and it belongs to my friend Gerald. His black 2002 WRX is fast, “in kilometers” and b-e-a-utiful -- and that is very hard for me to say because it is probably my least favorite body style for the Impreza! Just turning his car on excites me so I really enjoy when he lets me drive it.
Margo: I love anyone who does something unique with their car. I love cars that look so unassuming and then find out that someone put a different motor in it or some other mods that makes it a completely different car. One of our own Subie Girls did a swap that gave her RS a WRX engine -- it is amazing inside and out!
15. If you had all the money in the world what would you do to your car?
Sarah: If I had all the money in the world I would have quite a few cars! But hmmm... really the possibilities could be endless. For my WRX I’d most likely put on a bigger turbo, have the engine built, swap in a 6-speed transmission and look into some carbon fiber pieces. I’d definitely look for a V8/V9 Spec C RA interior. Oh, and I’d get rid of the dents/dings and have the car repainted! It would be very easy to continue adding to the list, so I’ll leave it at that.
Margo: I love my 1995 Impreza 2.2L Coupe. I would get a lot of bodywork done to it and repaint it so it has a nice fresh coat of its Brilliant Red paint. I would do all of the exhaust work I want, as well as some stereo enhancements. My boyfriend redid the interior to his Subarus, and I would love for him to help me out with mine -- changing the door card fabrics to suit the seats I have in it. Other than that, I would do anything I could to keep that car running forever -- I love it!
To learn more about the Subie Girls and how you can join, visit http://www.subiegirls.com.
