Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Caliente!!

A few weeks ago, I came in contact with HOT SAUCE LIVE! -- a men's sports & entertainment blogzine. We discussed doing an interview series on women in motorsports in which I would help get mine and other racing women's stories out there. Today, I am honored to be the first interview in the series. Check it out!

Progress on the bird is really coming along! Dan is headed to Mr. Moody's tomorrow to help get my engine back and ready to go in the car. The sheetmetal is done, the wing is done, trans is in. Its so close I can almost smell the VHT and the burnout smoke! I feel like a school girl! GIDDY! Check out the latest updates in the PHOTO ALBUM

This weekend, I'll be at the ADRL Dragstock II event helping crew in Pro Modified. Cross your fingers for a win!

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Posted by Erica Ortiz at 3:57 PM | | Comments

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

Eating my Wheaties...

Its been a long time dream of mine looking forward to the day that I could pull "levers" in my very own race car. Not your standard stick shift, or liberty rowing mechanism, but the wild and exotic "levers" of a Lenco transmission. I started off driving an AOD equipped 3 speed automatic, before performance necessitated the switch to the ::YAWN:: 2 speed powerglide transmission I ran in drag radial for the past few years. Moving to Pro, I knew that a clutch was out of the question in terms of budget, but I was very eager to switch to my "Lenco/Clutch training wheels".... a 3 speed BRUNO/Lenco combination with my tried and true Neal Chance Converter. The sale of my powerglide last year funded the Bruno, my bolt-together converter was changed for the twin/BBF upgrade, and I can't thank Bill George enough for the CS1 Lenco he put together for me. Now, being that this has been my dream for eons it seems, you can imagine how long I've looked forward to the day I could sit in my driver seat and pull levers and make turbo noises. (Yes really. Anyone who knows me can easily make that visual.)

So imagine: I finally get the Bruno/Lenco in the car, and take place in my seat, hand on the transbrake ready to launch in my maiden fantasy lever pull. My hand on the steering wheel, I revv'd her up and let go of the transbrake button, winding her through low gear, reach up to yank the first lever somewhere around 7000 imaginary RPMS and....

"EEEEEEEE-UUUUUGGGGGGHH."
Nothing.

I try again, this time straining with all my might.... still, NOTHING. I sit up out of the seat to throw my body weight back against it, knowing that this isn't a feasible method of shifting, and yanked back on the lever again...

NOPE, NADA, NOTHING... REJECTED.

By now, the guys--all standing around the car to share in my first Lenco moment-- are laughing hysterically. My Lenco fantasy has by now come crashing down... my every dream crushed into the utmost state of denial. I looked up at the guys, who seeing my frustration, only begin to laugh HARDER. I've known that Lenco levers aren't the easiest thing in the world to pull, but surely there is a logical explanation to all this. I mean, it doesn't need THAT much tower pressure, does it? The only thing I can muster:

"You're joking, right?!?"

I'm not sure if that was as much a question as it was a plead for some form of salvage to my dream's peril. The obligatory onslaught of women's place-in-the-kitchen comments ensued, along with a handful of my favorite, [cue thick GAWWWRGAAAA accent] "This is grooown folks stuff right herrre" comments. Once they were out of breath from laughing, Dan reaches in the car and tries to pull it into gear. KLUNK. Damn him, the showoff. In my defense, it wasn't so easy for him either. So another round of laughter at my expense, and Dan concludes that maybe THAT much tower pressure IS a bit excessive. He remanuevers the levers around a bit, and adjusts the pressure, and has me try again. I reach up and pull, and was ELATED when my KLUNK came right on cue. Somehow, it had lost its full effect, so after a few more half-hearted pulls, I got back to work. I guess I need to drag my butt back to the gym and start stacking up on my Wheaties again. BUMMER.

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Posted by Erica Ortiz at 11:40 AM | | Comments

Monday, September 19, 2005

Looking like a racecar....


Its been SUCH a long process, I began to think it would never be done. But finally, some noteworthy progress is made and we are nearing completion! If nothing else, I learned patience, persistance, and if you ask Dan, the finer points of nagging and pestering. This weekend, with Dan gone to Valdosta to help Millen, I set out to paint the finished double-frame rail, and miscellaneous mounting additions to the chassis (intercooler, CO2 bottle, fire bottle, etc.) with the help of big Josh & little Josh. I also rivoted in the newly powdercoated sheetmetal in the car. Its really starting to come together, and looks great! Dan has fabricated the cowl area for the hood, and has it cleco'd in place (Clecos are my new favorite gadget by the way... I just like saying the name, and they're so handy! Yes, I'm very easily amused). The narrowed cowl sits nicely between the twin Innovative hairdryers sticking up from the hood. My seat is now mounted securely in place, riser bar lifting the seat so that I can see out of said turbo hoodline. Bill George from Automotive Technicians spent a great deal of time putting together my Lenco and fabricating a set of custom shifters that my vertically-challenged self could reach from the seat. A few more odds and ends, and I will be out testing! Woohoooo, and HALLELUIA! Anyhoot, here are some update shots of the car.

UPDATE GALLERY

Sunday, I got up really early and headed to the "Big City" for the GA chapter of the Lymphomathon. After the blessing that medical advancements have done for my Papi in his fight against lymphoma, I was glad to be able to contribute to the continuing medical research done for the disease. There were quite a few people out there, and with plenty of success stories, which was great to see. In light of the other crisis affecting the LA-MI-AL areas, I was pleasantly surprised to see the amount of support for the cause.

On another good note, Dan won his Dixie Pro Stock race in Phenix City with the Vette yesterday as well. I like being in the winners circle, and knock-on-virtual-wood, we've been there a lot lately. Testimonial to his tuning expertise for all the internet ney-sayers out there. (AHEM, Daredevil!)

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Posted by Erica Ortiz at 10:49 PM | | Comments

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Lymphomathon


Earlier this year, in the midst of my helplessness with my fathers diagnosis with Lymphoma and subsequently, the tumors found later in his head; I sought out a way that I could somehow help. Finding the Lymphoma Research Foundation, I decided to make the commitment to participate in one of their Lymphomathon 5K events and set a goal of raising $1000 for the cause. This Sunday, September 25th will be my run for a cure in Atlanta, GA. Through the generous donations of Brian Carner and Jason Reiss from Hardcore 5.0, Russell Pang, as well as others who made online and cash donations, I have raised $700 towards my goal. I have just a few days left, and would love to be able to reach my mark for Lymphoma. Amidst all the other tragedy across the US right now, I know that people have exhausted their means of helping, but if by chance anyone would like to help out it would mean the world to me. You can fill out the online donation form. Its secure and easy, and GREATLY APPRECIATED. My dad has since gone into remission, so I feel I owe it to him to do the best I can for the people who's research made that possible. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your support in this walk and throughout my father's illness.

You can read more about Lymphoma at:

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Posted by Erica Ortiz at 5:03 PM | | Comments

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

Workin' on the car tunes...

Finally, we're getting close to having the bird done! I've been extremely busy lately working on the car, sponsorship, and other motorsports related negotiations. Unfortunately, most of which are tight-lipped, so I don't have a lot to say on here.

That being said, I did want to take a moment to tell everyone about the new single out by my 2nd favorite band, Nickelback. The song is called Photograph, and as always with Nickelback tunes, its stuck in my head already. Their latest album, The Right Reasons, comes out October 4th. I have always related really well to Nickelback lyrics, and this is no exception. Lately, I've reunited with old high school classmates, my how times have changed... It has me reflecting on a lot of my past, and parts of my present. What could've been, what should've been, and what never will be again. Here's a sneak-peak for those who are interested:

Look at this photograph
Every time I do it makes me laugh
How did our eyes get so red,
And what the hell is on Joey's head?
This is where I grew up
I think the present owner fixed it up
I never knew he ever went without
The second floor's hard for sneaking out
This is where I went to school
Most of the time I had better things to do
Criminal record says I broke in twice
I must have done it half a dozen times
I wonder if it's too late
Should I come back and try to graduate
Life's better now than it was back then
If I was them I wouldn't let me in
Oh oh oh, oh God I...
Every memory of looking out the back door
I had the photo album spread out on my bedroom floor
It's hard to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye
Every memory of walking out the front door
I found a photo of the friend that I was looking for
It's hard to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye
Remember the old arcade?
Blew every dollar that we ever made,
The cops hated us hangin out,
They said somebody went and burned it down.
We used to listen to the radio
And sing along with every song we'd know
We said someday we'd find out how it feels
To sing to more than just the steering wheel
Kim's the first girl I kissed
I was so nervous that I nearly missed
She's had a couple of kids since then
I haven't seen her since God knows when
Oh oh oh, oh God I...
Every memory of looking out the back door
I had the photo album spread out on my bedroom floor
It's hard to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye
Every memory of walking out the front door
I found the photo of the friend that I was looking for
It's hard to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye
I miss that town
I miss the faces
You can't erase
You can't replace it
I miss it now
I can't believe it
So hard to stay
too hard to leave it
If I could relive those days
I know the one thing that would never change
Every memory of looking out the back door
I had the photo album spread out on my bedroom floor
It's hard to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye
Every memory of walking out the front door
I found the photo of the friend that I was looking for
It's hard to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye
Look at this photograph
Every time I do it makes me laugh
Every time I do it makes me

"If I could relive those days, I do know the one thing that would never change..."
Be safe, Go Fast!
..and hopefully that's just what I'll be doing soon enough!

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Posted by Erica Ortiz at 5:35 PM | | Comments

Thursday, September 01, 2005

Somber Nation

It seems as though everywhere I look lately there is a tragedy befalling a friend or acquaintance. Its difficult to feel so helpless when others are in pain and grieving across the country. Instances like this really show how insignificant all the little nuisances in life really are. I've sought out every way to help those I can.

Fellow Pro 5.0 racer Tofie Haddad passed away in an auto accident in Detroit on August 21. I met Tofie at the races this year, and he was a great, energetic guy, and a heck of a racer. Godspeed, Tofie. You'll be missed.

Nika, founder of the Racerchicks lost her mother 3 months ago. She and her mother had shared the honor of being the top fundraiser for the Heart & Stroke Foundation Mother/Daughter Walk-a-thon for several years. This year, she has been asked to be a National Spokesperson for the event, and to share the experience with the media, only this year, she'll be walking alone. I cannot imagine how difficult that burden is for her to bear right now, but I have offered my support through donation, and will be there with her in spirit on her walk. If you'd like to help also, you may use this online donation form.

And of course, the nationwide pain felt by Hurricane Katrina's devastation of the lower Mississippi Basin is incredible. The last Category 5 hurricane was Andrew, and that storm left a permanent scar on Miami and South FL. This hurricane has even exceeded Andrew in terms of devastation and deceased. I feel so utterly helpless sitting here in GA, safe and dry. At work, we have undertaken the task of printing the Biloxi newspaper, one of our sister Knight-Ridder papers.

EDIT: And if things couldn't have hit closer to home. A phone call this evening... my uncle in Puerto Rico has passed on. I'll be headed to Orlando tomorrow to accompany my mother to Puerto Rico for his funeral. I will be out of contact for the remainder of the weekend, and through most of next week.

God Bless all those in grief and pain during these trying times.




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Posted by Erica Ortiz at 1:18 PM | | Comments

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