HORSEPOWER & HEELS

Catfights???

2008-07-23T12:49:00.002-05:00

It must be a PMS-y time of month for lady athletes lately....

First Danica Patrick and Milka Duno exchange a few "words".

Now, the ladies of the WNBA clear the bench??

Hey Debbie.... you up for a cage match Horsepower & Heels style? LOL!

I kid. I kid.

Tweet. Greet.

2008-07-21T06:57:00.000-05:00

Here's a cool blog that I was asked to submit to: Tweet. Greet.

Eric (@auctiondirect) on twitter asked me (and several other car nuts) to answer 10 questions related to cars.

Here's my answers posted on Tweet. Greet.

What would yours be???

Copy the questions, change for your answers, and send over to:

tweetgreet [at] auctiondirectusa.com

Catty Women Racecar Drivers

2008-07-20T23:55:00.000-05:00

Another reason I am so glad the ladies of NHRA Drag Racing are not catty.....

Danica Patrick got into it with fellow IRL driver Milka Duno.

Man, she is a fiesty one, no? I can't believe she didn't swing on her when she threw that towel.

Bucket List

2008-07-16T05:52:00.007-05:00

Everyone should have a list they keep of things they want to do in their lifetime. The Jack Nicholson/Morgan Freeman flick The Bucket List last year really brought this idea to the top of mind for people, and I've seen plenty of lists out there with some really inspirational goals.

I often talk about my magic "list", things I've done, things I've added along the way, but I've never sat down to write it out. I'm going to attempt a good list, I'm sure I'll forget plenty and they'll be added on as I go. Consider it a work in progress. So here goes my Bucket List....

Learn how to play the guitar and break it out with friends and drinks for good times
Finish my degree and maybe even learn another trade
Learn to fly a plane and get my pilot's license
Dance until the sun comes up in Ibiza, Spain
Sit on the beaches in Cuba and experience life the way it was... and the way it still is now (learning about the part of me that I don't know anything about)
Drive the length of the US1 coastline in a drop top Mustang (preferably with a turbo on it)
Run a marathon (or two, or three)
Drive a Fuel Dragster or Funny Car
~~Dance on the Bar at Coyote Ugly~~ Las Vegas, 6/2008
Be a bartender at a cool pub and invent a drink they name after me when I'm gone
Hang out with Jesse James over a beer and talk shop
Become a cool Mom to a talented and empowered daughter
Take Ju Jitsu and be strong enough to kick some serious butt, but mentally above it all
Own a pair of seriously rediculous heels from a too expensive designer
Drive on the Autobahn in something worthy of my lead foot
Backpack through Europe with no itinerary and just submerge in the culture
Be in Times Square for the Apple Drop on NYE
Snowboard down a slope like I'm not from FL and know what I'm doing
Write a book that gets published
Travel to Alaska and visit Bus 142 outside of Fairbanks (Christopher McCandless' last dwelling)
To not settle for someone I can live with, but find the someone I can't live without
Get married barefoot on a beach in a white bikini dress
To assemble a brain-trust and start my own successful business
To overcome claustrophobia
Own and live in a log cabin on the bluff and want for nothing else
Learn to belly-dance Shakira style
~~Own a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer!~~ Huntsville, 1/2008
Take a ride in a military fighter jet with Papi's picture so he can be with me and achieve both our dreams together
~~Swim under a waterfall~~ La Mina, Puerto Rico 12/2000
Quit chickening out and get my first tattoo
Win the Championship in a professional class racing (Pro Mod, fuel, whatever.)
Make someones dream come true... anonymously.... and watch them enjoy it without ever knowing who it came from.
~~Have my own office... no more cube!~~ QuStream 11/2007
Upgraded: Have a corner window office on mahogany row with a nice view!
Chase a tornado Twister-style across the county and stand in awe at its power
Visit Pearl Harbor and all the other big WWII memorials and museums and learn about the great heros of that era, especially the flying aces
Learn to spin from a good DJ mentor and play a set in my hometown (Orlando)
Build an old skool chopper... myself.
Help my BFF with her dream of her own Bar & Grill, "Eleven", because I believe in her so much and want to see her do it.
Put bright Atomic Pink highlights in my hair
Ride a bright pink Vespa with a old skool helmet and googles to Bike Week in Daytona
Leave this world knowing I stood for something....

I'm looking forward to crossing some off this list as I go. I don't expect that I'll ever get to some of them, but others are well within my reach, and I intend to do something about it.

What does your Bucket List look like?

Leave me a comment with yours!

Horsepower & Heels TV

2008-07-07T15:23:00.002-05:00

I've been lazy again, and have yet to add the new widget to my website that showcases our new Horsepower & Heels TV show. New shows come out every other Monday, and we're up to episode 4 right now.

In case you've missed any, here they are:

To make it THAT much easier, you can also subscribe to receive new videos automatically via email or RSS. Just fill out the box at the top right that says TUNE IN.

Let me know what you think about the show and if you'd like to see something in a future episode.

Rocket City Nationals

2008-07-06T17:07:00.001-05:00

To kick off a great Independence Day weekend, I headed straight over to the track after work on Thursday for the Rocket City Nationals at Huntsville Dragway. Being that my car still isn't done, I wanted to help out Greg Hines with his new 69 Nitrous Pro Mod Camaro and Mike Teilking with his Limited Street Mustang. Plus, a local racer, Alan Parker, has just finished putting together his Mustang, and has been talking to me about shaking it down for him. I wasn't sure if he'd be able to make it this weekend, but I had all my gear in tow.

Turns out, he didn't make the haul with the car (bummer), but that's okay....I don't really like being at the track unless I am racing or I can help out, which is another reason I think I have much more fun at these type events versus a National event. So I volunteered on parachute duty for Greg, and offered a hand anywhere else they needed it.

Greg ended up running really well, with a 4.22. He made it to the Semi-Finals, where he ran another 4.22, but this time, the chutes were not out, and the car was bouncing trying to stop and left the shut off area. I thought I was going to throw-up when I saw them not come out, and I felt sick as we rushed down to the top end to see Greg off in the grass and spun around, the front end cracked up pretty good. Brand new beautiful car, and the chutes I packed had failed. I was almost in tears as we towed it back to the pits.

They took a look at it, and found out that the problem was in the air launchers that he was using, and nothing due to my packing them. Thank GOD! I was devastated that such a pretty car had been scratched up, and was so shaken that Greg could've been (But thankfully, wasn't) hurt. I don't think I could've lived with myself if it were something I caused. After a loooong night in the pits, I headed home around 2 am and was back up at 8am to go back to the track.

Friday, Greg had some problems getting down the track. The heat probably played into that, but he ended up losing the final from the night before, and not making the 8 car promod field. Still, a runner-up finish isn't bad for the 4th pass on a brand new car!

Meanwhile, over at Mike Teilking's, luck wasn't so great either. We discovered on Friday morning that there were some problems with the torque converter and it caused a hurt piston, and since their engine builder (Pilcher Automotive) was right next door, they decided to save the trip down to Enterprise and get the motor pulled and disassembled for them to take with them home and fix. So, I got to work on Friday to help Wendell and Mike get the engine out and tore down. I really miss being able to get my hands dirty sometimes, so I had a blast with Mike and Wendell all day. We had the motor out of the car in just a few hours, and had it down to just the crank and block by mid-afternoon. Another late night, and I didn't see my pillow until after 1am.

Saturday morning, I got back up and picked up Mike to take him to back to the track to get his trailer and to help Greg and Wayne take down their awning. This is the kind of racing I miss, and am excited for some things working in the pipeline for me to be back in action soon! It may not be NHRA or Top Fuel, but it is definitely a part of my life that I feel like I have been missing a lot lately!

Look for more soon on a new website I will be working on for Teilking Racing!(www.teilkingracing.com) Mike's got a strong Limited Street car, and I'm excited to build him a cool website to show it off more!

Photo Album: Rocket City Nationals

Godspeed Scott Kalitta

2008-06-21T18:46:00.003-05:00

The most heartbreaking news you can possibly hear.... DHL Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta has passed away after a top end crash during the NHRA Lucas Oil SuperNationals in Englishtown, NJ during 4th round of qualifying today.

Kalitta, the son of NHRA legend Connie Kalitta, was just 46 years old. He has been a staple in the nitro ranks for many years now, piloting a top fuel dragster as well as moving to funny car. He started his career in the 80's, ironically with his first event being at Englishtown, NJ.

He is survived by wife Kathy, and sons Cory [14] and Colin [9], Palmetto, FL.

This year at the AC Delco NHRA Nationals in Gainesville, my good friends Frankie, Mikey, my sister Melanie and I were all VIP guest in the DHL pits. Watching Scott's passion in that car was infectious. As he warmed up the car, you could see the adrenaline flowing in his eyes, and as he blipped the throttle, he would do this whole pumped up jump onto the throttle. (Think head-banger metal style energy). I wish I would've had that moment captured on video, it was such a cool and inspiring sight.

The second driver fatally injured in nitro funny car in the past 2 years, he is another great talent that will be sorely missed.

Godspeed, Scott Kalitta

May you forever light the nitro candles in the skies above us.

Photos: Competition Plus, Melanie Ortiz

Not again!

2008-06-16T18:07:00.002-05:00

Not very often I post twice in one day, but hell, I don't have anything better to do right now. I'm now sitting in Salt Lake City, UT... my flight from Atlanta was delayed in Atlanta and I landed in Salt Lake at 4:10 with 20 minutes to get to my gate.

After sprinting my ass off to get to my departing Vegas flight that left at 4:40, I figured I was good when I got to my gate at 4:30.... 10 minutes to spare. They then tell me that even though my plane was still at the gate, they didn't think I'd make it from my other flight so they had already closed the door and cannot reopen the door after it is closed.

Un-friggen-believable.

They wanted to put me on an AM flight, which was NOT an option for me, so they called another airline and now I have a nice 6 hour wait in the airport until 10pm tonight and all I got was a measely $7 food voucher. That oughta buy a nice, stiff margarita for my 2 day long trip to Vegas. This has been a nightmare of a trip!

Delta has definitely done me wrong this time!!!!! Anyone have any good ideas on killing 6 hours in a stuffy airport???

Around the World in 24 hours

2008-06-16T12:05:00.002-05:00

::Sigh::

I love airlines.

So I arrived in Cincinnati last night around 8pm, and missed my connecting flight. That was the last outbound flight to Vegas, so I had to spend the night in Cincinnati and go stand-by on the AM non-stop flight in the morning. As luck would have it, right as they scanned me in as a standby to board, the missing travelers came running down the terminal and I was bumped. Just my friggen luck!

So, my alternative was to fly back to Atlanta (45 minutes from home again!) and then to Salt Lake City, UT and THEN to Las Vegas. That's 4 flights just to get to Vegas. Oh what fun!

I'm sitting in the Atlanta airport on the floor right now sharing one of the rare power outlets to power up my laptop. You'd think with all the technology now-a-days, they'd have more than 2 outlets in a big airport like Atlanta. Go figure.

Hopefully, there won't be any more problems and I'll land in Vegas tonight in time to catch dinner and get settled in. I think I need a vacation!

Viva Las Vegas (Part 2)

2008-06-14T16:53:00.001-05:00

Time to hit the road again for work. This time, its the InfoComm tradeshow in Las Vegas. This will be my first show solo (no boss there to lead me along). I'm nervous and excited at the same time. Hopefully, everything goes smoothly!

My little baby Blanca needed a babysitter while I'm gone, and one of the only people I trust to watch her would be Dan. So this morning, I got up and met him in Childersburg, AL to give him Blanca for the week. She's getting to meet her sister (and my other baby Chica-- I lost custody, LOL) for the very first time and it will be good social training for her as well. Plus, I know Dan will take great care of her (Thanks, Dan!)

One thing I am bummed about, a local car nut in Grant named Mr. Alan Parker just finished his new racecar, and asked me if I could shake it down for him on Sunday and drive it in Montgomery next weekend. Unfortunately, since I am leaving for Vegas and won't be back until next Saturday, I am missing out. There is a chance I may get to drive on Sunday in Montgomery, we'll see. Keep your fingers crossed, I'm aching to get my mind off everything and get back behind a wheel again!

On the Road with Horsepower & Heels

Trip Meter: 272 miles

2008 Odometer: 6,162 miles

Work, Work, Racecar, and Work

2008-06-12T16:28:00.002-05:00

Today, my boss Jas, coworker Bob, and I had a trip planned over to our Duluth, GA office. We had some marketing/branding work to discuss with the project marketing manager there. Duluth is in North Atlanta, and also an hour ahead on Eastern Standard time, so that meant we had to leave really early to get there.

Jas and Bob had never been to my place, and since I'm about an hour in the direction of Atlanta from Huntsville, they came to pick me up at 6am. They had programmed my address into a Garmin GPS Navigator, but somehow ended up on a detour in Grant that left them on a dead end road called Fish Trap and asking them to make right turns off the cliff of Grant Mountain. Needless to say, they were about 30 minutes late.

Since I had been trying to get over to my engine builder's in Atlanta, they were both gracious enough to allow me to make a stop on the way home at his shop to drop off some parts for the racecar. So, I loaded up the parts in the back of the new company van (a Toyota Sienna) and jumped behind the wheel headed for Duluth. (They designated me the trip driver since I am such a car nut and 3 hours is a trip around the block to me).

We arrived in Duluth with no problems, wrapped up a day there, and then jumped out at 3pm trying to beat Atlanta traffic rush. Mr. Moody's is just down I-285, so it was only a quick detour (so we thought).

I dropped off the parts and spoke to Mr. Moody, who said that we'd be assembling my engine very soon. I still have a few parts to round up, but they'll be there in the next week or so. VERY GOOD NEWS FOR THE RACING PROGRAM!!!!

Headed back, we decided to take I-20 home, since we saw a big pile up at the bottleneck returning to I-75. Big Mistake! We ended up stuck in construction traffic for about an hour. Oh well, could've been worse.

Overall., good trip! And even better, the miles weren't on my Mustang for a change!

On the Road with Horsepower & Heels

Trip Meter: 436 miles

2008 Odometer: 5,890 miles

The Secret is in the Hair....

2008-06-10T12:13:00.004-05:00

Okay, this is about as RANDOM as random gets on my blog posts....

Last night, I had a dream that I was driving a nitro-burning flopper. No biggie, I have that dream pretty often. But this wasn't just ANY dream. In my dream, I had a sudden realization. In a blaze of nitro-glory (ie: I was on fire through the lights), I realized something might not work for me in the future:

My long hair.

As long as I can remember, I've always had long hair. (minus that brief cut in 1st grade that wasn't my idea, and left me emotionally scarred for life.... think mini-Fullet. LOL) Its always been at least shoulder length, but typically much longer.

Right now, its probably the longest its been in my life, almost 3/4 way down my back. I figure I might as well let it grow while I can still "get away" with pulling that look off.

But last night, my subconscious was telling me that I needed to look at something. Mainly, the fact that mile-long hair poking out of my helmet wasn't going to work so well in a nitro flopper and would be promptly incincerated in my first nitro-blaze. Melanie, Ashley, Hillary.... all have relatively moderate lengthed hair. How would I tuck in 3 feet of the stuff under a helmet safely?

Oh the trauma! Long hair has been my staple, my identity, my whole LIFE! I've been jokingly nicknamed as the Pantene Girl. (wouldn't they be a great sponsor?!? hint, hint!) Its one of my better features, I think.

The thought of cutting it off has Sampson effects on me! Will I lose my edge? My strength? Will I be rendered a disheveled wreck? WILL I BE PLAGUED WITH BAD HAIR DAYS?

Just another thing us women racers get to worry about over our male counterparts. LOL.

(Still waiting on an anatomically correct fire suit, and 300mph chip-proof nail polish.)

Small World

2008-06-07T18:10:00.002-05:00

Wow, I am continually humbled at what a great and small Drag Racing world we live in. Got a flood of notes today from a mention on Del Worsham's CSK team Blog on NHRA.com. I have never met any of Del's team before, but having Bob Wilber mention someone like me whom he's never met is really special to me. Its not exactly how I invisioned seeing my name for the first time on NHRA.com, but it still means a lot to be considered worthy enough to be mentioned. Big THANKS for that!

Thanks again to all who have sent notes my way, they really help me feel not so alone going through this. Though the pathology reports came back positive, it is relatively mild and caught early, so the doctor is not going to go to drastic measures just yet. The cancer is not in danger of spreading, so I am thankful that the worst I have to face is the idea that maybe children will not be in my future.

I am not giving up on any of my dreams, and maybe this will motivate me further to really going after them. Everything kind of gets put into perspective sometimes, and this is one time where I really have a fire burning inside me to get back out there and do what I love. There is something to say for Tire-Burning, Gear Shifting therapy.....

I am blessed with friends and family as dear as all of you!

The year of Girl Power!

2008-06-05T10:25:00.004-05:00

What a year its shaping up to be for women in Motorsports!

Danica Patrick started it off getting her first win for IRL in Japan. She became the first woman to do so for the league.

Then, Ashley Force grabs her first win in NHRA Funny Car at the Southern Nationals in Atlanta. Ashley became the first woman to ever win in NHRA Nitro Funny Car, making history in a win over her father.

She was followed close behind by Melanie Troxel also in Funny Car. Melanie became the first woman to win both in the Top Fuel and Funny Car categories, in only her 8th start in the floppers.

And now Hillary Will, the lone Top Fuel lady for 2008 grabs her first win in T/F Dragster!

Congratulations ladies and thanks for representing us women and what we are capable of in Motorsports!

Read some of the buzz: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nhra/2008-06-04-women-drag-racing_N.htm

My new baby girl....

2008-06-02T14:14:00.004-05:00

The past year, I have been missing a big part of my heart.....

If you've known me any length of time, you know that I have a very special love of chihuahuas, so much so I consider them my babies. And, if you're close to me, you'll know that I've lost 2 babies in the past 3 years, something that was devastating to me.

So ever since last May, I've been waiting to find a new baby to bring home. And, I am happy to report that I finally found her!

She was born 3/23/08, and is 10 weeks old now. She's all white with beautiful blue-gray eyes, something I rarely see in Chihuahuas. She's got a sweet personality and is very snuggly, which I love. And she's doing great already with potty training!

I'm still not 100% decided on names yet.... in keeping with my Spanish name trend, I am thinking about Blanca Nieve Ortiz(white snow in spanish). I'd probably call her Blanquita.... because she is so small. But I'm not 100% decided. My American friends had a tough enough time remembering Chula's name!

Anyone have any suggestions on names???

I'm absolutely in love with her and she's exactly what I needed right now!

What Matters....

2008-05-30T08:25:00.002-05:00

I wasn't sure I really wanted to blog about what's been going on in my life lately, but something told me that it was important for me to share. I really wasn't expecting the outpouring of support that I've received since then, and for that I am humble and very grateful.

I've been struggling lately with the mental side of this all.... having spent the last 10 years of my life chasing my dream of professional drag racing with all that I have inside me. I made decisions to put off having a family, settling down, thinking that if I could just reach my dream that those things could wait. But after 10 years of passion and though I am normally a positive person who believes that my time will come, I am now wondering if my dream has come in the way of my reality. Although I am proud of what I've accomplished racing, I still haven't landed my big "Break", and I am wondering if this chase for a dream has cost me my chance at a normal family life? Will I ever reach my dream or will I regret the fight for what it cost me?

But after posting that on Wednesday, I realized what an important part of my life racing has been to me.... not for the sport or the speed, but for the PEOPLE. I have had the chance to meet so many wonderful people, and made so many great friends through drag racing. Seeing the outpouring of support and the many emails I've received from friends, and people whom I only *met* online through drag racing has really meant so much to me. Drag Racers are a huge family, and they are there when you need them most.

Its especially humbling to know how many of you have also dealt with someone who has gone through this experience. I know every case is different, but knowing how many others have dealt with this same issue makes me not feel so "weird" and so much like damaged goods.

I went to the doctor yesterday, and am very happy with her determination to not take any unnecessary drastic measures. She seems dedicated to trying to save my ability to bear children if at all possible, and for that I am grateful. She did take 2 biopsies yesterday, so now we are awaiting the results. I hate the waiting game, but for now, other than some soreness, everything is okay.

Thank you all for your words of support. I cannot begin to say how much it means to me.

The Big "C"

2008-05-28T09:50:00.003-05:00

I got one of the scariest phone calls of my life last week. It was from my doctor, who found some cancerous cells in my recent test results. Unfortunately, the nurse that called wasn't able to tell me over the phone what was wrong, but her grave urgency to get me into the doctor left me absolutely panicked. My co-worker had to drive me to the doctors office, where he finally told me what was wrong.

I typically don't talk about my personal life and health matters on here, but I think I am going to open up this time about what has been going on and what life-altering decisions will have to be made in the coming days. If for nothing else, it is helping me to talk about it now.... my friends who had no idea are being really supportive right now, and that is much needed.

Some of you may know that I was raised by my paternal grandparents. They took me when I was just a few months old, and they raised me as their own. I called them Mami & Papi, so sometimes its a bit confusing when I am talking about my Dad or my DAD. Up until about 5 years ago, I also had a relationship with the maternal side of my family. My grandparents had always taken me for visits once a year and sometimes I got to see my Mother too. But when I grew into an adult, I realized that the relationship that I sought with my Mother was very one-sided. I would try to make arrangements to go out of my way to see her, and she would never call me back. The last time that happened was when I moved to Georgia, and that was the last time I ever spoke to that side of my family again. It hurts not to have contact, but the rejection of trying to have a relationship with someone who apparently didn't want mine was just too much. I have never heard another word from them. I found my cousin a few years back, and she communicates with me, which is great, but despite that I am openly available to contact via the web, phone, etc. I haven't heard a word. I figure it is just the way it will always be.

Why is all that important right now? Well, the problem with not having a relationship with your biological mother is that you don't know your full medical history. I have known very little about my Mother's medical situation other than that she had some sort of "female problem" that somewhere I heard might have led to a historectomy in her early 20's. Mami (my grandmother) thinks she had Cervical Cancer, which is what I have been diagnosed with. I've always tried to stay up on my tests to prevent that occuring with me, and they have removed 3 trouble spots over the last few years. Genetics playing such a big role, I am very scared right now about what the specialist will say at my appointment tomorrow.

What I will find out tomorrow is life-shaking. Because I have already had 3 other incidents of trouble spots removed, it is coming to the point that they can no longer remove the cells without permanently damaging my cervix, and leaving me unable to carry a child. Further, with my persistent history and genetic predisposition, they might recommend a more drastic approach to ensure it does not develop and spread.

The doctor looked at me as he was giving me the last test results and asked me "Was my family complete?" Of course not, I have not even begun. Its something I always thought I'd eventually get to experience, after I chased my dream of racing, and then could settle down and have a family. Now, I may not get that chance. I am beyond crushed.

Please keep me in your prayers.

Memorial Tribute: Fallen Drag Racers

2008-05-26T13:20:00.003-05:00

Memorial Day is a time to remember our country's heros who have fallen in war. They've all made the greatest sacrifice for our country and our freedoms, and with great respect we honor them today.

But I'd also like to honor the sport of Drag Racing's fallen heros as well.

Darryl Russell

Eric Medlen

Jason Betwarda
Shelley Howard
Steve Grebeck

These are only a few that had a personal impact on me.... there are many more on that sad list of people who were doing what they loved.

Godspeed all the fallen drag racers and thanks for the memories!

World Street Challenge I

2008-05-19T11:04:00.003-05:00

World Street Challenge 1 is in the books now, and I had a great time helping my fellow Horsepower & Heels gal pal Debbie with her inaugural race.

Watching her work her magic over the past 6 months on an event of this size was really incredible. Debbie is truly such a talented individual that I am really blessed to call her one of my best friends and a part of Horsepower & Heels.

Debbie has been involved with the World Ford Challenge since its inception 10 years ago, but when she had a vision to make it an even bigger, grandier event, I knew that the World Street Challenge was destined for success.

I arrived in St. Louis at Gateway International Raceway (de'ja'vu much?) late Friday night. There had already been a stir of controversy and action on Thursday and Friday night, so Debbie and I sat up chatting as I was filled in on the details. Debbie and the entire WSC crew had already been in St. Louis for a week preparing for the event, and it was obvious they were lacking in the sleep department.

Up early on Saturday, Debbie got to show me around the track and how she had set up the Vendor areas and the car show inside the circle track. Very cool to see it all come together. I set up stand helping Debbie in the ticket booth and getting the Jaigermeister stage up and running. It was really cool meeting DJ Freestyle and Demo Castellon of Timbaland fame, the celebrity DJs at the event. I had to do some scrambling for the Bikini Contest, because of the 19 pre-registered entrants, only 3 showed up. Debbie was threatening putting me up there in a bikini if we didn't find enough, so I'm glad the three girls finally went on. The crowd was a little harsh due to the lack of "Skin to Win", and I about died laughing when DJ Freestyle got the crowd cheering for Debbie to hit the stage too, but overall it was a good time.

Sunday, I helped with payout a bit before I hit the road. I did get to walk Flat Emmy around and she got to work on the Rockstar Pro Mod of Todd Amandus in the pits, working on the engine, warming up the car, and packing the parachutes. Overall, a great weekend!

On the Road with Horsepower & Heels
Trip Meter: 838 miles
2008 Odometer: 4,661 miles

Flat Emmy Goes Racing

2008-05-16T14:23:00.003-05:00

One of my online friends Gloria put out a request on behalf of her niece Emmy, to help with a school project. Emmy drew a flat version of herself to send off on a journey to different places and report back on her experiences with photos and a story.

I offered to take Flat Emmy with me to the races, so Emmy and I are headed off to St. Louis for the World Street Challenge. We'll be traveling 6 hours by car from my home here in Huntsville, AL and I'm hoping to stop along the way to show her some of the sights.

We'll report back on our travels and adventures here too, so you get a play-by-play of the weekend.

Wish us luck!

-Erica and Emmy

World Street Challenge

2008-05-15T13:36:00.003-05:00

Its time to hit the road again!

This time, I'm headed to show support for my Horsepower & Heels partner in crime, Debbie Denny as she puts on her first race, the World Street Challenge at Gateway International Raceway in the St. Louis area.

Debbie has been one of the original crew who started the 10 year run of the World Ford Challenge 11 years ago. Her passion for the event and desire to grow the event into her vision of an all-encompassing, multi-event weekend has finally arrived in the inaugural World Street Challenge Event.

The World Street Challenge will be an entertainment venue combining the thrill of drag racing, all-out audio sound-offs, exquisite car show, a Bikini contest, and a Battle of the Bands competition. Basically, its the Auto-Enthusiast's dream weekend piled all together.

Poor Debbie has been a one-woman circus act with all the preparations, and I can promise her work will be one for the record books.

If you are in the St. Louis area, please check out this event! Plus, stop by and see us both! We'll have some Horsepower & Heels apparel for sale too!

Piensa Mas Alla

2008-05-12T09:42:00.000-05:00

Piensa Mas Alla....Think Beyond

Recently, I was asked by the Palomita & Chucho Clothing Co. to design a special edition t-shirt to be auctioned off at an event in June benefitting education. Palomita and Chucho are fresh, fun brands that capture the nostalgia of Latin America, the bubbly soda us latinos drank with our school lunches, that salty candy that made our fingers all sticky, or that loveable mouse we watched on television before we were tucked into bed.

The t-shirt design was sent to me blank, with just the word "WOOPY" on the front of the shirt. Woopy is a fruit juice drink with a fun and playful attitude. This drink was launched in the 70’s and was the drink for the new generation. I wasn't really sure what to draw for WOOPY, so I had a Palomita champagne bottle popping with WOOPY. Not exactly a fruit juice, but maybe you could say it was our adult version now that we're all grown up. My drawing skills as you can see are lacking a bit, but hopefully it will do well at the event for this great cause.

The event, the 1st Annual Latino Fashion Show Auction benefitting the Palomita Education Fund, will be held on June 12th in San Francisco, CA. I'm not sure I'll be able to attend, but I think it will be a great event! If you are in that area, reserve your seat and help the cause!

June 12, 2008
Terra SF
511 Harrison Street,
San Francisco, CA

6:30pm
Pink Carpet Arrival
Cocktails & Silent Auction
7:30pm
Live Auction of Special Edition Tees designed by Latino Personalities followed by the Palomita & Chucho Fashion Show

For more information contact events@licenzing.com

Mother of Drag Racing

2008-05-11T13:44:00.003-05:00

Its Mother's Day, and I thought I'd pay tribute to a different kind of mother.... the Mother of Drag Racing.

Shirley Muldowney is undeniably the Mother of Drag Racing. She came to find drag racing in its infancy, back in the 60's, when women were not expected or ALLOWED to be involved in such a sport. She fought for acceptance when most would not allow her in their midst, gaining her NHRA competition license in 1965 through much trouble and discouragement. No only would she show that a woman could drive a car faster than stock, but she worked up the ladder all the way to the pinnacle class of the sport, Top Fuel, where she competed for over 30 years.

Shirley's hard fought battles opened the doors for all of us women in drag racing and in all motorsports. She was the first woman to win a major autosport in 1976 at the NHRA Spring Nationals, and went on to win 3 World Championships in her Top Fuel career.

Though the gender barrier can still sometimes exist today, Shirley pioneered the sport for all women and made it easier to be accepted in a man's world. Each of us women involved in racing today owes a lot to the woman who fought the fight for us early on, and made our dreams possible.

This mother's day goes out to our own Mother of Drag Racing, Shirley Muldowney!

The Emotional Rollercoaster of Racing

2008-05-08T11:04:00.001-05:00

The ebb and flow of the racing tide is about as predictable as the winning lotto numbers. The real competition in drag racing begins long before a car ever reaches the racetrack.

The past two years have been very difficult for me. I ended 2006 on an emotional high of finishing #2 in Pro 5.0 in my rookie season. I had so much momentum going for me, and was eager and excited to continue on by improving the car's performance and image with sponsor Brisk USA stepping in to help.

But then life happened, and a series of heartbreaking events that have put delay after delay, and road block after road block in my way, sidelining me for 2 years now. I try to stay focused and upbeat, but with time comes frustration and depression of not racing, and worse, not being able to keep my commitments to Brisk and Harland Sharp of a great season.

I won't give up.... I'm still working very hard and inching closer to getting the Horsepower & Heels car back out on track. I'm lacking just a few things, but it seems like time and labor is hard to come by now-a-days.... things that I am not able to do on my own, out of my control. That's the most difficult part of the whole deal... being helpless and forced to just sit and wait.

Motorsports marketing is one of the greatest forms of marketing available. I know that I will be able to make good on getting exposure for my great sponsors and telling their stories. I just hope that the damage that this delay has caused will not be permanent. As they say... this too shall pass. The lows of the racing rollercoaster.

I can't count the number of times I've been approached with opportunities: some to drive, others for sponsorship, etc. Everything from pro mod rides up to Top Fuel and Funny Car. Each and every time, I put an enormous amount of energy into each opportunity... offering assistance, marketing materials, interviews, phone call follow-ups, etc.

I'm hoping that pretty soon, the law of averages is bound to shake out a green GO light on one of these opportunities. And until then, I'll put every ounce of effort into every offer that comes my way.

But it still does not lessen the excitment, nor the disappointment that each trip on the emotional rollercoaster brings.

St. Louis Weekend

2008-05-05T09:40:00.005-05:00

Mondays after race weekends are tough. Especially when you have to drive 6+ hours after a long weekend.

This past weekend, I drove up to St. Louis to attend the 28th Annual MidWest NHRA Nationals at Gateway International Raceway with some friends. Though I had many times been to Gateway for the World Street (Ford) Challenge, I hadn't ever seen an NHRA race there.

Friday was nice and warm, with plenty of good racing. But Saturday, the temperature plummeted and the wind was fierce, delivering the chill straight through you. We looked like a bunch of shivering puppies. It is difficult to be at races when you have been sidelined like I have for so long now, but it definitely helps to network and motivates to keep the progress going on my car.

Elizabeth and Ashley hadn't ever attended a drag race before, so its neat seeing their reaction to their first Top Fuel encounters. The power of a nitro car cannot be appreciated or understood until you actually see, smell, and FEEL one in person. TV, HD or not, just doesn't do it justice. Ashley said they weren't too loud when they were doing burnouts (we were sitting at the 1/8th mile) but when they passed her under power, she hit the deck!

Its a long trip to St. Louis, and I'll be repeating this trip in just a few weeks for Debbie's race, the World Street Challenge.

On the Road with Horsepower & Heels

Trip Meter: 838 miles

2008 Odometer: 3,823 miles