HORSEPOWER & HEELS

... It was my favorite song for a very, very long time. It was the theme of the first movie I fell in love with, Top Gun. I've always wanted to feel that moment.... the aviator sportin', bomber jack wearin', motorcycle ridin' wild Maverick who could hold his own doesn't hurt either. I can still watch this movie today with the same enthusiasm....

Well, today I finally got to feel "that moment".... that Takes my Breath Away. And I had DEFINITELY lost that lovin' feelin'. No, I'm not talking love, cute boys, or even lust. I'm talking a full out asthma attack. Yea. Fun.

I'm by myself up here, so I was a little scared trying to drive to the nearest urgent care. Its a little unnerving not being able to breath and trying not to get any more panicky while driving. I hadn't had an asthma attack since 1988, so I'm a little out of practice. Compound that with the fact that I have no family here and very few friends (all of which are out of town for the holidays) and you can guess my anxiety. Which was fitting, seeing how the doctor said that part of my problem was mild anxiety attack oriented as well.


I feel like I've been on the losing end of a dogfight. Or that I got ran off the end of one of those carriers. Its Friday night, I'm stuck at home and I'm miserable.

So in the interest of good boredom, what are your favorite Movie Theme Songs??

Posted by Erica Ortiz at 11:21 PM | Permalink | Comments

[blogged by DEBBIE]

OK. Check this out. My palm trees died. Seriously. I am pissed.

As if there isn’t enough going on in my crazy world right now. I don’t have time to call someone out here with a tractor and yank the suckers out and start over at $400 a pop. Not to mention I named them and everything. Big John croaked first. Can you believe this? I worked my butt off to make sure they were nourished and healthy and watered properly and this is what I get in return…. Dead trees.


Here are some photos of the whole mission to get them in my yard. Man, I was so proud of my trees. I guess that is what happens for trying to bring Miami to Me. These trees were imported from Miami. I wanted tropical landscape (as best as I could get) that would make it through the colder winters here and they swore to me Sable Palms would do great. Uh huh? Well now they’re dead.

I need to stick to inanimate objects. I am much better with nurturing and loving cars and bikes, I guess. That or I need to move back there.


Anyway, no more trees for me. Damn it.



DEBBIE

Posted by Debbie at 11:58 AM | Permalink | Comments

Do you notice anything different?

This past weekend, I spent in Orlando, FL with my family and friends. I moved away from Orlando in 2003, after living there my entire life. For awhile, I didn't miss O-town at all... it was relaxing being in the South and not having the stress level that accompanies living in Orlando. (Orlando is the largest SMALL-mentality city ever.... hello, DRAMA!) But lately, I've been more than a little homesick.

Don't get me wrong. I love where I live. The pace is relaxed. The mountainside lakeview is gorgeous. The people are nice. Its affordable. And importantly, there isn't all that stress. But Orlando has been, is, always will be HOME.

With all the change in my life lately, I've been re-discovering myself in the process. Things I've been wanting to do, I'm doing. Places I've wanted to go, I'm going. People I wanted to see, I'm having a blast with. Call it my little rebellion, but one of the things I've been secretly wanting to do has been get my first tattoo.

So while in Orlando, Robert & Shake accompanied me to Incredible Ink on International Drive. My intentions were to get a small tattoo on my hip bone of a girly-looking Rod/Piston that Robert was nice enough to sketch out for me. (I'd post it, but my phone is being retarded and won't send out attachments) But, since I'm a CHIIIEEEECKOOOON.... I only wanted a small one. And being such great friends that they are, they talked me out of it because a tat that small would look like crap.

So, to half-way redeem myself, I decided to get a piercing. My sister has a TRAGUS piercing, and I always thought it was neat. So, I did it. They didn't have the itty-bitty ring I wanted, so I had to settle for a curved barbell that looks like just a stud from afar.

It didn't hurt. Really, it didn't. I feel like such the rebel! HA HA!

Posted by Erica Ortiz at 7:46 PM | Permalink | Comments

[blogged by DEBBIE]

My friends keep leaving messages on my voice mail asking if I am still alive. Yes, I am infact. I am still alive and kicking.

But geeze people cut me some slack, (I think to myself.)

Besides the race schedule which I consider "vacation" time. (I know) Don't ask! I decided I should be keeping a trip o meter of my own. It just dawned on me last night that I have eleven weekends in a row that I will not be home. Thank God I am lucky enough to love what I do for a living but, the travelling does take a toll.

A side from my marketing company and racing with H&H I am also the Event Director for the World Street Challenge. Since the venue is new this year and we have decided to mix it up a bit. It takes a lot of hands on promotion to get the word out before we will launch the official ad campaigns.

So this is what my next few months looks like.

Starting September 7th I will be travelling from JAX to Dallas and back then off to Atlanta and back and then off to Memphis and back and then off to Bowling Green, KY and back and then down to MIA for my 20 year Reunion. I am sure I will look young and refreshed. Not to mention somewhere between Dallas and Bowling Green I need to find a dress and stuff. Yikes! Nothing like seeing your old class mates for the first time in a decade looking like you have been drug all over the country by a wild team of Buffalo.

Anway, From Miami back to JAX and then off to Memphis, TN from there back to MIA for a dear friends 30th birthday party. (and I do mean DEAR friend) Or, I would have never even considered taking that 5 hour hall and back under the circumstances. So, after the festivites back to JAX to pack up and drive to Orlando (short trip but, it' s still not home). After Orlando I get to go home and get ready for Aiken, SC and if I get really lucky I will be going to Vegas for SEMA instead of Aiken.... So, now I am on what weeekend??? Let me see. Oh, SEMA is Oct. 30 through the 2nd. Then, back to JAX to go to Memphis, TN again.

Erica, don't you feel sorry for me? Hmmm. Probably not after all I get to fly most of these places and you can't do that when we have the race car with us... I guess that's a positive.

HELP....

Debbie.

Posted by Debbie at 5:12 PM | Permalink | Comments

A fair amount of drag racers will shamefully admit to getting their start on the streets with illegal street racing. This gal included. But as more and more tracks are popping up, and more, safer, LEGAL options are made available, its time to give up on the dangerous culture that is STREET RACING.

Case-in-point. Nick Hogan (Bollea). This is what can happen with a high horsepower car on the street. His passenger is in critical condition. It is a miracle that no one was killed.

There has been an abundance of street racing stories in the news across the country in the past few years. More accidents, more crackdowns, more casualties and victims. But why? I blame one movie that shot it into the limelight.... The Fast and the Furious.

Street Racing became glorified in those movies. Suddenly, you're average kid with a decent credit card limit was out modifying their civics and attempting the stunts that the ridiculously unrealitic movie portrayed. What once was a bunch of die-hard gearheads who sought the abandoned strips of pavement to test their performances was now laid in the hands of kids eager to show off and immitate the movie dramatics. Now kids were racing on crowded roads, lining the streets, and one-uping themselves in dangerous stunts. In other words, it got stupid quick.

Not that I condone street racing nor do I think my past participation in it was very smart, but at least back then, racers had a bit more common sense. They'd meet up, arrange a race, and travel to a remote location away from traffic to line them up. Most of these races took place late at night when roads were clear and most took place on abandoned road straights... old airstrips, shut down warehouse parks, etc. They did NOT perform burnouts in crowded parking lots or race weaving through rush hour traffic and endangering others.

This accident took place on a busy road during early evening (7ish pm) hours, and it was very lucky that no one else was injured.

Folks, most tracks have GRUDGE NIGHTS for these cars. No timers. No lights. Grudge Matches. Late Nights. Everything that Street Racing has to offer but in a legal, safer environment.

Posted by Erica Ortiz at 4:34 PM | Permalink | Comments

Labels: women in racing

Posted by Erica Ortiz at 12:34 PM | Permalink | Comments

Posted by Erica Ortiz at 9:35 PM | Permalink | Comments

Well, its kinda been hush, hush... but, some of you have wondered why I've been carrying around a camera or have been followed by someone with a camera as of late. The reason, is because of THIS.... Horsepower & Heels is going PRIMETIME!

PNN came on board in June to begin producing a web based, first-of-its-kind TV Series about all the interesting struggles and adventures that the Horsepower & Heels team encounters on our journeys. I'm VERY excited! The preview looks great (besides getting used to seeing my goofy behind up close and personal like that... geeesh!), and I can't wait to see the first episode debut in September!

So take a look.... and tell your friends to tell their friends to take a look too!

• CLICK HERE to see the preview


• CLICK HERE for more info on the show.


• CLICK HERE to sign up for your own PNN Page.

Labels: press, videos

Posted by Erica Ortiz at 10:56 AM | Permalink | Comments

Yesterday evening, I got the chance to catch up with an old friend I had not seen since I graduated High School back in 1998. Ife and I ran track together at Lake Howell HS, and I missed her over the years but could never find her. Well, thanks to my Myspace page and all the other "networking sites out there, I stumbled upon Ife a few weeks ago, and was dying to catch up.



I cannot believe its been almost 10 years since we graduated (damn, I feel old.) but its a great feeling when that long has past and you can still catch up like no time. That's how last night was... you would've never guessed it had been that long (except for the fact that we were so busy talking, the waiter came by no less than 10 times before we even looked at the menu).



Its always interesting to see what has become of someone over the last 10 years. Its great to see (though no surprise) that Ife is doing wonderfully well. We talked about all of our old classmates, did some online surfing to see what others looked like/were doing, and chatted about our upcoming 10 year reunion. I used to stress about this upcoming event... I mean, its taking me forever just to get my degree, I'm divorced and not married or even close to having a family nearing my 30's, and I spend all my time running around the country as a "racecar driver". No house, no corporate big-wig title, no perfect husband or cute little toddlers...none of the "rights of passage" of life that people move towards as they exit their 20's.

But, as Ife and I looked over our classmates' profiles, we both realized neither of us were doing that bad.... some had gained weight, others had failed out of college, others had learned tough lessons in life and still struggled through their adulthood. In comparison, neither of us had changed much, and though I might not have that Master's degree or career I envisioned I'd have, I am quite happy with my life. I work hard, and have been chasing a dream of something I'm passionate about for the past 10 years. Maybe I'm not Mrs. Successful Business Woman, or the perfect Soccer Mom, or even the Honors Auburn Graduate that I wanted to be, but I am living my dream and have a purpose in my life, and that's okay with me.

Now, I'm actually looking forward to the reunion. I can't wait to see where everyone's paths have led them, and what the future has instore.

... but still, Ife and I vowed to call and harrass each other about hitting the gym for the next year! Gotta get into that slammin' dress! We're not taking any chances!

Posted by Erica Ortiz at 7:59 AM | Permalink | Comments

Its not a good thing when I don't have much to do on the weekends. I get bored, and start getting wild ideas that usually don't turn out the way I thought they would. This weekend was no exception.

With no racecar to keep me occupied, and company that decided they couldn't come up at the last minute, I had no plans for this weekend. I complain that I never have a relaxing weekend, but when the opportunity comes, I'm panicked that I have nothing to do.

So I decided it would be a good weekend to do the "me" things I've neglected... I went to the salon to get pampered. A mani/pedi and some other beauty "tortures" later, I walked out of the salon feeling great. But that wasn't enough. I decided I'd try and dye my hair too.

Now, you're probably wondering what was I thinking, right? Well... I wasn't going to be dying it some crazy shade. Actually, I was just using a glossing demi-permanent (temporary) treatment in my own hair color to cover some of the new little grey hairs that have begun poking up. (Racecars = STRESS = Grey Hairs at 27 years old).

I get home and follow the instructions exactly. It said to leave it on for 20 minutes, and I'd have the beautiful medium brown color on the box (I even asked the lady at the beauty supply store, who ensured me it was a match). 20 minutes and some blow drying later, I look in the mirror to see JET BLACK shiny hair staring back at me.

Ut Oh. Great, now I look like Morticia. Good thing it washes out in 24 shampoos.

::Sigh::

I need my racecar back!

Posted by Erica Ortiz at 7:05 AM | Permalink | Comments

The Stangbangerz own PINKS.

... and Vinny wouldn't have had it any other way.

I've been on my fair share of drag racing web communities before (okay, most ALL of them), but nothing rivals the camaraderie that Vinny & Holly Changet built on their Cincinnati, OH based STANGBANGERZ site. I lived in FL when I first found the site, and I would drive all the way to OH for some of their events... just because. They are a great group, but they lost their dedicated leader earlier this year when Vinny passed away far too early from a heart attack. It left the entire racing community paralyzed. Vinny was just the most friendly, fun-loving and sincere person you could meet. And Holly... his beautiful wife... her world was upside down as well. They were a perfect match.... and it broke my heart.

One of the saddest parts of his early departure was that he never was able to see the creation he worked so long and so hard for make is maiden voyage down the 1/4 mile. Years we saw him struggle and keep enthusiasm alive for his project... its bitter irony that just as he was about to see it to completion, he'd leave his work undone.

So, in grand Stangbangerz gesture, they finished a Vinny tribute ride for him and entered it in PINKS competition. The Stangbangerz have a saying.... it started off with "The Stangbangerz own this town..." and then it expanded to all other avenues of life.

But now, they'd attempt to take the TV show PINKS for total Stangbangerz domination. I haven't seen the show yet (it will air in Feb. or Mar.), but Holly sent me this article from the Kansas City Star about the event. You couldn't have told a better story. And I couldn't be more proud of the Stangbangerz and people in general than this.

God bless the Stangbangerz... they OWN PINKS!

Vinny had to have a smile on his face that day... his boys and his lovely wife carried on the tradition.

• Watch the Video
• Visit the STANGBANGERZ

Posted by Erica Ortiz at 8:49 AM | Permalink | Comments

I also decided that since my Road Trip Odometer was getting a little long and cumbersome for the blog, that I'd devote its own page on my PNN website. So here's a link to the new Trip-O-Meter home:

CLICK HERE FOR NEW TRIP-O-METER

Labels: In the Shop, On the Road

Posted by Erica Ortiz at 11:53 AM | Permalink | Comments

I finally arrived at the Bristol Track around 1:30pm after my detour. But of course, its not a solo road trip, unless I arrive with some sort of whacky or great story to tell. This trip is no exception.

Shortly after I stopped for gas outside of Nashville, I ran into another black Mustang... A 99, with some good sounding exhaust and cobra wheels. Well, I noticed he had a radar detector, and I was having fun playing chase with him down I-40. Cat and mouse... he'd take off, get through traffic, and I hang with him. Or I'd take the lead for awhile and play too. At one point, I pulled along side him with a note written on a piece of paper:

"GOING TO FFW?"

I figured that a car with Virginia plates, with cool exhaust, headed the same direction had a good chance of going to the same place. But he yelled back that he didn't know what this was and I told him it was a race in Bristol (all while doing 80 mph down the interstate). I wasn't sure how long he'd be going my way.... but he hung with me all through Knoxville and onto I-81 before he got off on exit 10 or so. I waved and he threw his hands up as I passed as if to asks why I didn't stop. I was running late, and I had to get to the track. Oh well, now I had to slow down to 80 mph since my radar detector and new found road buddy had abandoned me.

That is until he came flying back up on me around 40 miles later. (figure out that equation on how fast he had to be traveling to do THAT, math whizzes!) This time, he had a note, it said:

"HAD 2 PEE".

Too funny! I about pee'd my own pants I was laughing so hard.

Sadly, he got too far ahead of me in traffic right before my exit, so my new friend didn't get a good bye. Darn! And I was going to try and convince him to go to the race!

Labels: At the Races, On the Road

Posted by Erica Ortiz at 7:27 PM | Permalink | Comments

So I got up as planned to leave out for Bristol at 6am this morning.

Normally, I have a pretty darn good sense of direction. But somehow today I've managed to go the wrong way on I-24 and ended up in Nashville instead of Knoville. Grrr! I can't believe I just did that! I'm about 140 miles too far west on I-40! Its now 11am.... I'm supposed to BE in Bristol... and instead, I'm in Nashville.

Great, now I'm going to be hearing this for the next 10 years. Dennis' friend Robert was even such the sweetheart as to give me a compass.

Smart ass.

I know, I know...
Where's my sign?

Posted by Erica Ortiz at 10:04 AM | Permalink | Comments

Well, this weekend I get to attend the Fun Ford Weekend Thunder Valley Nationals as guest crew chief for Dennis Lugo's Outlaw car. He's short handed for the weekend, so Debbie and I both offered to assist, but due to astronomical plane fares, Debbie was grounded. So I'll be headed out shortly for Bristol, TN for the 2nd time this year to help get Dennis his first FFW win of the season.

Dennis is the person who taught me everything, and the person I can still count on the most today... its the least I can do, I really owe him for that.

And, thanks to my cool new gadget, a MOTO Q from Sprint, I'll be able to keep Debbie and my readers informed direct from the trackside!

Labels: On the Road

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

Well, there's a new Pro Mod driver entering NHRA Pro Mod. And its a "she".... Diana Harker is the newest Pro modified pilot of a 69 Blown Camaro. I should be happy for her, right? I mean, I should be happy for any woman that gets the chance to live that dream. I should be happy that she's out there competing against the men and helping open doors for other women. I should, and I AM happy for her. But part of me just sits back and wonders WTF?

I know that envy is an ugly characteristic, and I try and keep it in check. I love rootin' for all the women in the sport, and I look up to many of them for what they have accomplished... and what I hope to someday be able to accomplish myself. They are often a source of inspiration and hope. But as of lately, I'd have to shamefully admit that I've had my fair share of jealous resentment inside me recently. As if self-pity can get any more pathetic, right? But seriously, why me?

Maybe the better question is "Why NOT me?" I have kept my head down and my nose to the proverbial grindstone for 10 years. I have had little to no resources available, so I make the best with what little I have and make huge sacrifices in my life to try and get the chance to make my dream a reality. I work hard, I do my own work whenever I can, I try and learn every chance I get, I self market, I travel the country by myself because ultimately, I'd do whatever it took to get the chance to chase this dream. And so far... I'm proud to say that its gotten me as far as I have come on a non-exsistant budget, and with little other support. But I also know that I'm at the limit of my abilities in terms of "do-it-yourself". I'm at the limit of where cutting corners and minimal budgets are even an option. And what I'm realizing is that its not impressive, its not ambitious, its not even proven determination taking these approaches anymore.... its risky and downright dangerous.

I know that I can't cut corners at 200+mph, because those corners don't just mean parts carnage anymore. They could be fatal. I know that I am at a plateau in terms of performance and how far my shallow pockets can carry me. I know that without some outside help, I cannot advance any further alone. Which is why lately its been so hard not to feel jealous over the Diana Harkers or Erica Enders of the world. They're born into racing families, they are bred and primed to get only the best opportunities. And I'm sure they are talented drivers, I want to take nothing away from them. But what exactly am I doing wrong? I started at the bottom... I didn't have parents to guide my interest or teach me the ropes. My parents knew nothing of anything automotive. I read magazines to learn about cars, I practiced racing my daily driver, I wasn't content just "driving". I wanted to know the hows, the whys, what made things tick and what made things happen. I worked at a shop, spent nights learning the mechanics and days learning the business. I surrounded my life with everything racing and built it up from a daily driver all the way to a fledgling Pro Mod. I live and breath everything that is drag racing... so why not me? I can drive. I can build an engine. I can work on the car. I can tune the computer. I can drive the hauler. I can market and promote. I can sell. I can represent. But I can't get the support it will take to make my dreams come true....

Its just very overwhelming. So its hard not to feel a little green with envy at those who have an entire team at their disposal... who don't have to worry about how they are going to afford the fuel to haul to a race, how they're going to make it to a race 24 hours away with no vacation time, or what will happen if the unstable crank in their engine lets loose because they can't afford the one that's required.

I just wish for once I had that chance....

Posted by Erica Ortiz at 11:06 PM | Permalink | Comments