HORSEPOWER & HEELS

I am truly amazed how quickly your entire world can change overnight...

Tuesday, I get a web message from the website... it's from a gentleman who asked what my interests were in driving a top fuel dragster. Hmmm, lemmee think about that. UM, YEAAA! So, I immediately pick up the phone and call him back. After some brief conversation, we set up to meet in Chattanooga for lunch the next day with his PR/Marketing person.

Now, this is the 4th time I've had someone approach me about a possible fuel ride, so I'm a little bit skeptical and really just don't get excited over these type things anymore. I usually just get a big dose of false hopes and some major disappointments. But, I am a little optimistic about this meeting simply for the fact that he set up a meeting so quickly. Surely that must be a good sign!

So, I get up early the next morning and head out to a regular job interview I had set up for a Marketing Coordinator position with a Huntsville technology company. The interview was at 7am, and after meeting the Marketing Executive and hearing all about this position and the advancement opportunities, I am extremely excited. Its EXACTLY the position I was looking for, and I loved the executive's willingness to train a successor, because it matches my desire to learn!

With one good meeting under my belt, I head to Chattanooga for the Top Fuel interview. We are meeting at a restaurant in downtown Chattanooga called the Big River Grill. I arrive a few minutes early, and gather my thoughts before I entered.

Earlier this year, I interviewed with Don Schumacher to drive the Oakley Nitro Funny Car, and was so nervous, I blew the interview royally. Determined not to make that mistake again, I took a deep breath and walked up to the restaurant, where I met the team owner, Dave Stevens and his marketing partner waiting for me outside.

Lunch went great, they were very easy to talk to and down-to-earth people. We discussed everything and went over backgrounds... both mine and theirs. Needless to say, I am absolutely elated by this opportunity, and walked away with a great feeling about the new connection.

The team is an independent team who last competed in 2003 at the US Nationals with Tim Gibson (former driver of the BME Top Fuel Dragster) as their driver. They are putting together a program to run either NHRA or IHRA Top Fuel in 2008, depending on the funding secured. We are awaiting one big deal right now that I really hope will come through and set this plan in motion, but regardless of its outcome, the hunt for a sponsor will continue.

Becoming a professional driver in the fastest class on the planet is an absolute dream come true for me. It is this type of opportunity that I've spent the last 10 years working for night and day. A few of my friends have called and spoken to be about the news, and are surprised to hear that I'm not jumping from the rafters. I guess it's shock.... it hasn't become real to me that I may be piloting a car from 0-330 mph in 4.5 seconds yet. I read the rumor announcement on Competition Plus, and for a second I just couldn't believe it was my name on there mixed in with all the Force and Scelzi announcements. Please don't pinch me if this is all a dream!

Now, its just a matter of time. Keep your fingers crossed for me! (And your toes, too!)

Posted by Erica Ortiz on Friday, October 26, 2007 at 2:31 PM | Permalink