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Racing on the Clock

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Grand Prix at TRCIt’s Friday, and just before lunchtime, I was informed that a group of my colleagues were taking a “Team building” field trip to Tampa Bay Grand Prix for a little lunchtime go-cart racing.   Apparently, a few had done this before and now were opening up the competition to the whole office.

Naturally, my reaction time in giving my “HECK YES” answer was 0.09 seconds.

Go-Cart Racing is Racing

Now, some knowing my drag racing background assumed I’d be a shoe-in, but apparently there are some rather competitive cart racing folks in engineering, so I knew the only advantage I would carry was about a 20 lbs weight advantage over the rest of them.    Add in the fact that I’ve not been in a go-cart (or anything remotely fun and fast like it) since 2008, and I was pretty uncertain of where I’d land in the final finish order (or how I’d ever live it down if I came in at the back).

Because they start you off with some space between you and the other go-carts in front of/behind you, it really becomes a race of you vs. the clock.   They started off by having us all throttled back, but around lap 4 they started turning them up.     It took me a minute to figure out the braking/accelerating curve of these things, especially once I figured out that mid-lap they had removed the throttle limiter.   I started really getting the hang of it the last 5 or so laps of the race.   We had a “Caution” throttle down in lap 8, but I am happy to report that I didn’t spin out AND stayed pretty consistent in my lap average.    I ended up in 2nd place in both average and top lap times, about 4 tenths of a second behind the 1st place average, and 7 tenths behind the fastest lap time.

Competitive, Much?

Completely stoked, I cannot wait for the next outing.  I’ve already been pumping up the rest of the office to start a bi-weekly lunch series, where we’ll post “The List” up in the breakroom in Street Outlaw style.    One of my coworkers pointed out that of course they’d leave it to the competitive racer to come in and make a full-on series and competition out of the team building experience.

But hey, what did they expect?

Erica Enders doubles up on Racer of the Year

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Good news this week as Racer Magazine announces their annual Racer of the Year awards.     One of my favorite ladies in racing, Erica Enders captured not just one, but TWO Racer of the Year awards, gaining the ultimate overall category win as well as the Drag Racing award.

Congrats, Erica Enders!

It is really great to see her received the much deserved accolades that go with such a monumental win.   Not only is it big and inspiring news to see a woman win the World Championship, but to have done so in such down-to-the-wire dramatic fashion, is nothing short of amazing.   Thinking back to all the naysayers and the struggles she endured in her Pro Stock career, I’ll say that the awards are much deserved celebration to her feats.

Erica Enders-StevensRacer of the Year

The award is voted on by readers, which to me, is a strong indication of the loyalty of NHRA fans.   John Force won the top award in 2010, 2013, 2014.   Enders now takes the overall spot for 2015.  And someone tell me again why drag racing isn’t a good sponsor investment?  That’s some fiercely loyal fanbase there.  In fact, while she won Racer of the Year honors with 48.9% of the vote, the next closest competitor was Mr. Force himself with 9.7%.   That’s a landslide victory for Enders, and a lionshare vote for drag racing.

But what saddens me, was the pre-season announcement that her Elite team may not compete in all of the NHRA events again this season.   What is wrong with the world that the defending Pro Stock champion- a marketable, personable, history-paving woman- can’t get the funding she needs to compete in a full season?   That question may lie more in the NHRA’s programming than in her abilities as World champion.

Erica Enders-Stevens hoists Wally

Either way, here’s a big shoutout to Erica Enders-Stevens, Racer of the Year!

 

 

 

Girls Torque Collector Cards

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GirlsTorque.comI came across a great opportunity for Women in Motorsports or supporters of ladies who race that I wanted to share.

GirlsTorque.com is a long-running website based in Australia that is dedicated to helping girls succeed in motor sports.   Originally launched in 2001 as the Australian Women in Motorsports organization, it quickly took off outside of just Australia, and is now focused on educating and sharing the cause worldwide.

Girls Torque Collector Cards

GirlPower Collector CardsOne of the unique ideas the site manages is their Girls Torque Racing Collector Cards.    These cards are similar to other sport trading cards, and features a different female racer on each card; with photos, quotes and stats on her career.   The cards were created to highlight and promote women racing, celebrating their successes and careers first in Australia, but now expanding to include women racing on the global level.   Cards are arranged into Circuit, Speedway and Drag Racing boxed set collections.  Fans, friends and family can purchase by collector series or individually,  online or at retailers in Western Australia.

Free Feature for Women Racing

Girl Torque Racing Collector CardsHere’s one of the greatest parts about the program:  it’s FREE for Women in Racing to be included.    It is great free exposure to a collective audience already supporting your common cause- women competing in motorsports.    Getting your name out there and celebrating your career and successes is valuable for any driver.  It helps reinforce sponsor value, opens the door to other opportunities, and unites you with the movement that continues to build for women in racing.

A lot of racers have hero cards they hand out at the track for fans.   Those who do, understand that it isn’t cheap to have those designed and printed.   Professional designers can charge several hundred dollars for a hero card and color printing on hero-card heavy stock paper can add-up expense quickly.  Girls Torque has made it extremely easy to be included, offering an online form that takes just a few minutes to complete.

The form asks:

  • Motorsports Category
  • Name
  • Quote
  • Class/Competition Division
  • Race Number
  • Home Track
  • Race car Description
  • Racing History/Achievements

It also allows you to upload your own head shot and action shot (photos that you have the rights to use legally) for use on the card.    Once submitted, you will be included in the next collection for your series.   No cost or obligation for you to buy for inclusion.   For those that would would like, you can even order extra cards for yourself to distribute to your own fans!

Sign up for Girls Torque cards

Don’t miss out, make sure you fill out the form to be included in the next set of collector cards!