HORSEPOWER & HEELS

For those of you who missed the live Speed Scene show last night HERE is the video archive. My interview starts at the 15 minute mark!

Also, today there was an article in the East Alabama News paper on Horsepower & Heels.

Thanks for watching!

Posted by Erica Ortiz at 2:01 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Posted by Erica Ortiz at 3:49 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

I can't wait to get this project rolling along.

Today, we unloaded the new VFN Mustang Body to see how many modifications it will take to fit onto the chassis. By laying the body over the existing chassis, we were quite happy to see that there won't be any major modifications necessary to fit the body onto the car. One immediate change necessary was to cut off the existing parachute mounts from the longer T-Bird body. A quick few passes with a band saw and the body slipped over the frame. Though it still isn't sitting in the proper location, we were able to identify that once we shortened the rear battery tray area, the chassis would sit very nicely with no needed changes to the main hoop or any of the dash or pillar bars.

With a full-time job, and very meager pockets, I've got to maximize my time to get work done on the new ride. That's where living just feet from the shop comes in handy. There's many long nights in my immediate future, and I'll be glad to make the short trip across the driveway to the comforts of my cozy bed. The "Parker Chassis Compound" as I've nicknamed it... and yes, the shop really is bigger than the house. There is a list a mile long of things to do, and such little time to do it. Stress, its at an all-time high for me, but I'm blessed by a great following of friends who are always there to get me through!

Posted by Erica Ortiz at 10:10 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

And I do mean NOTHING.

This past weekend, I made the trip from Alabama to Chicago,IL to pick up the new Mustang body. Not at all one of my best weekends. I left by myself Friday after work, determined to make it up and back and bring the new "Bessie" home. Sounds simple enough, right? Of course not.

My Floridian grown behind got my first experience of driving in icy, snow-ladened conditions courtesey of a winter storm hitting the north that I learned was named "The Clipper". Not only had I never driven in icy conditions and knew nothing about what to expect, but I also got the trial-by-fire experience of learning to navigate those roads in a Truck and Trailer. I'm glad to report that I made it safe and sound, after only minorly freaking out on desolate I-57 in Illinois where there wasn't a diesel pump open or accessible for miles.

So my 12 hour trip looked more like 20+hours, but I finally made it to VFN Fiberglass in Addison, IL on Sunday morning, and made it all worthwhile. Armando was nice enough to meet me on his day off to get it loaded and on my way. And let me tell ya, that wasn't an easy task!

So here's a sneak peek at the new look for "Bessie"....

Because nothing at all... not even a Northern Snow Storm can stand between a girl and her racecar.

That's TRUE LOVE.

Posted by Erica Ortiz at 12:38 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Well, she did it.



Ashley Force qualified at her 1st national event, and did a terrific job in the first round, despite losing traction, and falling behind her brother-in-law and teammate, Robert Hight. Those who questioned her abilites, need to really step back and see what the 24 year-old endures that's above and beyond her competitors to prepare for a race weekend.



Look first at the pressures:

• Pressure of her last name, and the instant expectations of success


• Pressure from her father, who having so many years of championship experience elevates expectations and is more demanding than most


• Pressure from the constant media barrage, in which she has a camera shoved in her face almost all weekend long and must've repeated herself in 1000's of interviews


• Pressure from the masses who are even more critical of women drivers than their male counterparts and often scruitinize their every move (fail or succeed)

Then factor in the normal driving stressors: putting on a good show for your fans & sponsors, performing for your team- your reaction time inside the car, and keeping that car in control and in the groove. Ashley definitely has her hands full this season, and if this first event is any indicator, with some getting-used-to time under her belt, she'll be a seasoned veteran in no-time.

On another note, although I 10,000% support Ashley and any other women drivers out there, I did think the media went a little too far with the "Driving Force II" coverage of Pomona. The interviews were stale... and although I do enjoy seeing Ashley & John's story, they continued to ask them the same questions, and got the same answers every time. Maybe after a few races, the "newness" will wear off a little... or reporters will add some variety to their interviews. I'm sure Ashley & John felt like broken records by the end of the weekend.

The Forces.... The 'new' Family Circus!

Labels: women in racing

Posted by Erica Ortiz at 2:07 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

There is nothing eerier than getting a message posted wishing you "Godspeed" & "RIP". Is it a sick joke, a death threat, or a psychic preminition? In any case, its deeply unsettling... until I found out why.

Apparently, I had a royal namesake. The 31 year old sister of Princess Leticia of Spain was named Erica Ortiz (or Erika... its spelled both ways in the media). Apparently, she was found dead in her apartment on Wednesday of unconfirmed causes. Speculation flies across Europe about the possibility of foul-play or suicide, which makes one wonder what could be so bad at 31 years old, that you would leave your family and 6 year old daughter behind?

So a case of mistaken identity... I'm here and in good health. I hope however, that my namesake finds peace eternal... and that her family is comforted in this time of sorrow.

Posted by Erica Ortiz at 9:23 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

This has been a tough start to the year, and now news of another friend passing on.

Vincent "Vinny5oh" Chagnet

I met Vinny several years back as one of the most vibrant members of the Hardcore 5.0 community. His personality and humor lit up the boards on a regular basis. You felt instantly connected to him, even if you never had met him in person. Vinny had his own hometown website, Stangbangerz, where all of the Cincinnati mustang people became like family. He always posted great stories and videos.

During 2003, I really got to know Vinny & Holly at the races, and even drove up from Orlando to attend one of their Stangbangerz picnics. I had a blast with them.... Vinny threw the BEST parties! I'll never forget his Halloween bash! Vinny and Holly even helped me out by finding me a job in Cincinnati when I was set to move up there in late 2003. I hate that those plans fell through... I'm sure I would have had a blast with the Stangbangerz group that he "Godfathered"... he made everyone feel so welcome.

Vinny, you will be greatly missed by all of us who loved and knew you. Rest in peace buddy!

Posted by Erica Ortiz at 5:49 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post