HORSEPOWER & HEELS

Had a great time chatting with Doug and Jeff with the Thunder Road show on Houston's 1560AM Game. If you missed the live interview, you can listen in to the Driving Divas segment below.

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Posted by Erica Ortiz at 1:07 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Listen in this Sunday, March 1st to Houston's 1560AM The Game radio station for my guest spot on the Thunder Road show's "Driving Divas" segment.



Thunder Road is Houston’s ONLY place for all things motor sports and the best damn racing show around, featuring hosts Doug Johnson, a former Fun Ford Weekend competitor, and "Ya Boy Blue" (Jeffery Blue). Past guests on the "Driving Divas" segment have been NHRA Pro Stock driver Erica Enders and Stock Car racer Kristen Bumbera.

The show will air this Sunday, March 1st from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM central standard time.



Don't live in Houston? The show is also available via web. You can listen online.

Labels: press

Posted by Erica Ortiz at 10:54 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

A) A few weeks ago, I get a call from TV Land.

B) They want me to submit an audition tape for a reality TV show pitch involving the Stevens Family team and Top Fuel Racing as a Family Owned Business.

C) But, despite how excited they were about us, they couldn't proceed because of uncertainty in sponsorship.

So, as per usual, I ride the rollercoaster of emotion: High at thinking this might be my "Big Break", and then the low of finding out not this time again. I'm used to it. Happens a whole lot more than you could imagine, actually. Still, I keep trying for the next one....

Well, I got a phone call from Dave Stevens yesterday. Katie from TVLand called him back to tell him that we're back in consideration for the show!

Labels: press, women in racing

Posted by Erica Ortiz at 8:49 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

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Posted by Erica Ortiz at 4:05 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Remember I told you about the TVLand Reality Series that The Stevens Family Racing team and I were being considered for?

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Posted by Erica Ortiz at 8:39 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

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Posted by Erica Ortiz at 8:13 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Got an interesting call today.

It was from a producer at the TVLand Network, who because of my involvement with Stevens Family Racing, wanted to know if I'd be interested in being the subject of a new show they are looking to feature for next year.

The show would feature an unique family owned business, and the Stevens Family Racing operation is high on their list of considerations.

Here's an excerpt from their casting call:

Are you part of a family business? Pink Sneakers Productions and TV Land are currently casting for a new reality series that will document the life of one dynamic, over-the-top, outgoing family. If you clock in and out of a unique, exciting and drama-filled family business, we want to talk to you. If you’ve ever said, “This family should be on a reality show,” this is your chance to make it happen!


We are casting immediately, so please email us at familybusiness@pinksneakers.net. Please be sure to include your name, contact information, a quick autobiography and at least three photos by Sept. 1, 2008.

Right now, I'm putting together a video for the producers about the Stevens Family Team, and I am not sure if we'll be selected or not, but I am really excited about this opportunity! How great would it be to see a family team go up against all the big name teams in drag racing on your local TVLand Network? And the fact that it would make my Top Fuel dream come true at the same time is just icing on the cake!

What do you think? Would you watch it?

Labels: press, women in racing

Posted by Erica Ortiz at 7:55 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Just a quick note to those who did not see the Horsepower & Heels segment on Hispanics Today from back in November.

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Posted by Erica Ortiz at 1:15 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Recently, Jaime from PNN's Cereals interviewed me for her Audio Webcast.

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Posted by Erica Ortiz at 3:10 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Wow! The numbers are in for January, and http://www.horsepowerandheels.com/ broke the 10,000 unique visitor mark for the first time for the month of January. That means over 10,000 different people (13,052 to be exact) checked out the site in January...and I'm humbled by this. I know to many, that isn't a lot in terms of the larger sites out there, but considering that this is a site that I created in 2004 to share with others my personal racing dreams, it is very humbling to know that there are that many people out there who have visited the site this month.

But it does make me wonder.... and I'm curious: where do you all come from, and who are you? What brings you to HorsepowerandHeels.com, how did you hear about us, and what do you think about this website and what we're doing?

I'm very grateful for your readership, and I hope you continue to come back. I'd love to learn more about YOU and hear what brought you here to begin with and a little about who you are.... my comment section is open and ready (below) to hear from you!



And to get the conversation started, (because it seems most all of you 13,052 people are a bit shy and don't comment much) I'm giving away free Horsepower & Heels decals to the first 10 who post a comment.

Labels: press

Posted by Erica Ortiz at 2:59 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

I will be live on-air with the El Break morning show this Sunday, January 27th on Phoenix, AZ radio station 95.1 Latino Vibe.

The show is produced by a group of hipster college and high school students where they talk about latino culture, politics, entertainment, sexuality, education, and much more. It is the only show of its kind in the state and one of the only ones in the country. The show is a biligual mix-- Spanglish: both English & Spanish, with my interview done in English (I'm a little rusty on mi español).

They have big brown muscles, big brown mouths and big brown boobs. But most importantly, they have big brains and huge hearts. The hot, hipster crew from "El Break" is the best shot in the arm of political activism for the local Latino community since Chicanos por la Causa. This is a modern day crop of activistas who have their own rough-around-the edges/cutting-edge AM radio show on Sundays at 95.1 FM Latino Vibe. Luis Avila, Nuvia Enriquez, Laura Suarez, Obed Hurtado and others aren't afraid to launch a hunger strike to support the DREAM Act one week, and then throw a blow-out rock en español bash the next, with free-flowing spiked horchata. You can catch their show on Sundays.

The show will air from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM mountain time.

Visit the show's myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/elbreak.

Don't live in Phoenix? You can listen online.

Labels: press

Posted by Erica Ortiz at 4:01 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Awhile back, we filmed a segment for Hispanics Today TV show. I've been getting a ton of email from people all over the world this morning saying they saw the segment, and I wanted to take a moment and say WELCOME to all the new faces here.

(I still haven't seen the segment myself, so if anyone happened to have recorded it and wouldn't mind sending me a copy, I'd be mucho grateful!)

I love meeting new people all across the world, and especially love the diversity this brings. All of us come from different backgrounds, different ways of life, different experiences. Learning about these differences is one of the most fun part of life! It saddens me seeing people being closed-minded about learning about other cultures. I have been raised as a proud American, but I am also proud of my Hispanic heritage as well.

I am 50% Puerto Rican and 50% Cuban, and proud of my island heritage. Though I've never visited Cuba, I do love my visits to Puerto Rico. I've even raced on the island back when I was in Drag Radial, and had a great time. Puerto Ricans love their drag racing too!

Its great to learn about others and their experiences, so I invite you to please post YOUR heritage and experiences in my comment section.

And WELCOME TO HORSEPOWER & HEELS RACING!

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Posted by Erica Ortiz at 9:21 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

My "Goodbye Evel" tribute compilation made Jalopnik's Top 10 and is in the running for the top spot. Feel free to visit there and vote on your favorite submission!

Labels: press

Posted by Erica Ortiz at 3:17 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Remember way back in September when I blogged about that TV segment I flew to Orlando to film for Hispanics Today? It's only been a few months, but it seems like an eternity ago. I had almost forgotten about it, but luckily Debbie reminded me today.

The show airs this week finally. It features interviews with Dennis Lugo, Debbie Denny, and myself. You can see a quick video preview on the Hispanics Today website, and find out if the show can be viewed in your town by checking the Hispanics Today TV Air Guide. I unfortunately missed the show here in Huntsville, so if anyone can find an online version or can DVR it and rip it to a DVD for me, I'd be greatly appreciative.

Thanks again to Hispanics Today for the feature & Shellee for a great shoot. Hopefully, I'll actually get to see it soon.

Labels: press

Posted by Erica Ortiz at 9:37 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

About a week ago, I was interviewed by the local (Guntersville) newspaper, The Advertiser-Gleam. The article came out on the front page of Saturday's paper, a great story written by Cindy West about Horsepower & Heels and everything going on with the team right now.

I haven't lived in Grant for too long (since May), but the people here that I've met have all been fantastic. Most have been racing friends, so I haven't had the opportunity to make many new friends yet. In a town where 99% of the people know everyone by name, its definitely a small, cozy community. So, it was a little interesting when I stopped into the Grant Pharmacy today, and the teller asked if I was "That girl in the paper". When I told her she was correct, she said "Oh good, a bunch of people were in here asking if anyone knew who you were... at least now I can say you were in here."

I kind of laughed.... such a tight community, and I'm sure they were taken back that no one knew who the "new girl" was. I'm kind of the "foreigner" being from FL originally, but they are all nice as can be and I love living here.

Labels: press

Posted by Erica Ortiz at 3:31 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

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 | links to this post

Last weekend, after being fired up over Danica's success in motorsports, I felt compelled to write a letter to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. It published in Saturday's paper, and although it left out a few things that I had written, it still drives home the point about women in motorsports. I think its important that women continue to speak out and gain some attention in front of corporate america in hopes of getting some consideration for those male dominated sponsorships it takes to run at the top. -----------------------------------------------

Saturday, June 4th, 2005
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Saturday Talk Section Women in motor sports need sponsorships "It was refreshing to see Danica Patrick's success ("Heels on wheels," Page One, May 28). However, it is easy to forget that several women before her have also competed in the Indianapolis 500. The difference between Patrick and the ladies before her is that her talent is complemented by a fully funded top-caliber team. I hope Patrick's success will encourage other companies to support young ladies in motor sports."

ERICA ORTIZ, Columbus

Labels: press, women in racing

Posted by Erica Ortiz at 7:56 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

In an effort to boost marketing and publicity, John Ramspott of Focus Firm, assisted by friend Jimmy, came down to Columbus for a promo shoot of the car & myself. Anyone who knows me realizes how much I HATE my photo being taken, so this was a little bit stressful a process for me. Candy Meitja came in and helped with my hair & makeup, transforming blaaah me to photo worthy.

We took the new car (all clean & made over for its first shoot!) out to my home track in Phenix City and used the starting line for a series of shots, before returning to the shop to set up an indoor shoot. I've seen a few preview shots, which remarkably for me, I liked a lot. Its not often I say that about a photo of myself, so that is a huge compliment to John, Candy, & Jimmy. John did an excellent job, and was very accomodating, and I'd recommend him to anyone seeking a professional photographer. He's downloading and putting his final touches on the shoot, and I'll have some results to post up soon!

Labels: press

Posted by Erica Ortiz at 11:48 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post