Celebrating, promoting and supporting women in motorsports and Moto Enthusiasts

You are here: Home / Archives for 2015

Clutchfunded SUCCESS

//  by 

Clutchfunded Campaign successClutchfunded Campaign a success at 112%

We DID IT!  Thanks to all the support of my family, friends and fans, our Clutchfunded campaign was a total success!  In just 30 days, 36 people contributed $3,350.00 to our Clutchfunded campaign, putting us at 112% of our goal of $3,000.    Over 1,100 people shared the campaign across social networks over the course of the 30-day program.     All of you are now part of the ReIgnite Team, and are a huge part of getting us back on the track.

Crowd funding for the Motorsports Community

This campaign was one of the first for a new crowd funding platform called Clutchfunded– the brainchild of another racing veteran, 25 year old Shannon McIntosh. Phase One of ClutchFunded’s long-term development includes a crowd funding platform to help connect racers with the ever-growing motor sport fan base. Following overwhelming response through a crowd funding initiative of her own, Shannon knew there was opportunity to create a unique approach for supporting race teams and drivers across the country.   Campaigns use an ‘All or Nothing’ funding model, meaning drivers/teams must meet or exceed the original goal before receiving their funds.   Contributors can choose from different racer-defined perks awarded for their donations.   If your sponsor is your biggest fan, why can’t your biggest fan be your sponsor?   The platform is open to racers, teams and other motorsport entities.  Check it out and set a goal for your season!

The Horsepower and Heels ReIgnite campaign was the first successful campaign on the new platform, and we are super proud of this achievement!   Thanks to everyone that made it possible!

Next up for Horsepower and Heels Project ReIgnite

What’s next?  Well, we get to start the build process.  I’ve been talking to several key folks to re-familiarize myself with current technologies that have evolved since the project was initially started.   Excessive Motorsports came on as a new sponsor, and they are helping us round up the last missing components for our engine program.  We’ve got a lot of work to do, and we’ll be keeping you informed on this blog, so be sure to subscribe for updates!

Join Ignite Team Elite and the ReIgnite Team

Its not too late to help!   Since the Clutchfunded campaign was such a success, we’ll be offering some of the same perks here on Horsepower & Heels for our fans who would like to join the ReIgnite team and Ignite Team Elite.  Keep an eye out this weekend for the Perk Pages to be added to the team home page.

StangTV.com – Mustang Girl Monday

//  by 

Mustang Girl Monday: Erica Ortiz Is Ready To Come Back To Racing

StangTV-April2015-MustangGirlMonday-EricaOrtizStangTV.com caught up with Horsepower & Heels driver Erica Ortiz to talk about her return to heads-up racing with her twin turbo Mustang project, and her history/background in the sport in an article posted by Courtney Barber.    The article is part of a weekly Mustang Girl Monday feature, organized by Team Mustang Girls.   It goes into detail about Erica’s Fun Ford Weekend and NMRA True Street and Drag Radial class racing successes , her journey into Pro 5.0 and Pro Modified, and what took her away from racing for several years.

Read the article:  http://www.stangtv.com/news/mustang-girl-monday-erica-ortiz-is-ready-to-come-back-to-racing/

StangTV

StangTV.com is an online Ford Mustang Magazine – the go-to source for news, rumors, tech articles and videos on America’s favorite pony car. Founded in 2006, StangTV.com has only one objective – to inform, educate, and entertain readers through daily updates on Late Model Ford Mustangs and other Fords.

Published:  April 6, 2015

Fun Ford Weekend Alumni Reunion

//  by 

Fun Ford Weekend logoLately, there has been a resurgence of photos making their way around Facebook (thanks to Derek Johnson) from the Fun Ford Weekend (the Original Series) archives.  It has led many of us down that memory lane of the “FFW good ole days” , and reuniting many of the now retired Fun Ford Weekend racers of the day.

(you can see some of the pages here:   Pro 5.0 Photo Archives  |  Outlaw Archives  | Steve Grebeck tribute  |  Racin Jason Tribute  )

The Original FFW Alumni

The original Fun Ford Weekend series started in the early 1990’s and pioneered much of the drag racing street car scene throughout that decade and into the next, before shutting down in 2009 due to the economic downturn that hit the country.   But for the racers, FFW was like an extended family, and that presence is what is missing for many of the originals.

Amidst all the photos and throwback discussions posted around Facebook, a few of us started discussing the idea of a Reunion.    Whether it be just a social weekend event or maybe even a nostalgic race of sorts, there were many people interested in the idea of a FFW Alumni Reunion.   How fun would it be to get the old group back together for a weekend?!?

I’m definitely on board, and someone’s got to get the ball rollin’, so…..

Fun Ford Weekend Reunion Survey

In order to gauge interest on this project, I’ve put together a Google Survey to collect everyone’s info and opinions.  Once we get enough feedback, I’ll put together a Facebook group and Newsletter to keep everyone informed of the progress and details.

Here’s the form:  FUN FORD WEEKEND ALUMNI REUNION SURVEY

Please, fill out the form and share!   I’ve tried to stay in touch with as many people as possible, but I’ll need your help to get the word out.  Please share this post with all your old FFW pals and let’s GET THIS PARTY STARTED!

Comments are open below if you want to connect!

Ford Racing Nation – Ortiz ready for Pro Mod return

//  by 

Erica Ortiz is ready for her return in Pro Mod!

Ford Racing Nation Erica OrtizErica Ortiz and the Horsepower & Heels Pro Mod Mustang comeback project is featured on the Ford Racing Nation website in an article written by Bridgett Davis.   The article discusses some of the history behind Erica’s previous racing experience and the hardships she endured when initially starting the Mustang project in 2007, and the current ReIgnite efforts to return to racing in 2015.

Read the article:  http://fordracingnation.com/features/general-news/715-erica-ortiz-is-ready-for-her-return-in-pro-mod

Ford Racing Nation

Ford Racing Nation is a popular online website community geared to racing enthusiasts who love the Blue Oval.

Published Online: March 30, 2015

Sponsor Spotlight > Nitro Plate

//  by 

Nitro Plate High Performance Coatings

NitroPlate logoNitro Plate joined Horsepower & Heels in 2015 to deliver high performance coatings for the Pro Mod Mustang project.   In business since 1988, Nitro Plate has combined years of experience in high temperature coatings with their own enthusiasm for sportsman drag racing and hot rods to serve the racing industry.

Company Overview

NitroPlate is a registered trademark of Servitech Industries, Inc.  Founded in 1988, Servitech Industries has grown to become the largest independent applicator of SermaGard Coatings in North America.  They providing coating services to the O.E automotive, Heavy Truck, HVAC, Appliance, Building and various other industries.    In 2005, they recognized an opportunity to bring their knowledge and expertise to the performance and racing industry.  Being hot rodders and sportsman drag racers, it was a natural fit for the company.   They have built a stellar reputation and an extensive list of satisfied customers.

Coating Finishes

  •  Nitroplate Bright: NitroPlate Bright is a highly polished aluminum ceramic coating capable of withstanding 1300 degrees. It has excellent thermal properties. This cuts down on under hood heat, increases horsepower and helps in scavenging of the exhaust. Nitroplate Bright can also be used in areas such as intakes, rear end housings, control arms, and wheelie bars and steel wheels

  • Nitroplate Satin    :  NitroPlate Satin has dull appearance that is ideal for intake manifolds to keep the original look. Nitroplate Satin is good to 1300 degrees also. It is resistant to staining from fuels, etc.
  • Nitroplate Cast Iron Gray:  Tired of your cast iron exhaust manifolds rusting? Check out Nitroplate Cast Iron. Perfect for exhaust manifolds. It has a temperature rating of 1800 degrees.
  • Nitroplate Satin Black
    :     NitroPlate’s Satin Black finish is a high temperature ceramic material that is designed for customers who prefer a more stealth look.

  • Nitroplate Matte Black    :     NitroPlate’s Matte Black finish is a high temperature ceramic material used on stainless steel applications that is designed for customers who prefer a more stealth look. Perfect for headers and motorcycle exhaust pipes and heat shields.
  • Nitroplate Midnight Blue:  NitroPlate’s Midnight Blue finish is a low temperature ceramic material that is designed for customers who want a stealth look with a unique finish. Perfect for valve covers, intake manifolds and other aesthetic components

In Action

All of the exhaust components on the new Horsepower & Heels Twin Turbo Pro Mod Mustang will feature Nitroplate coating for a corrosion resistant finish, designed to meet thermal barrier protection needs.     Nitroplate reps can often be found at the racetrack, allowing you to drop off your parts for convenience.

Contact Information

Nitroplate
550 Brick Church Park Dr.
Nashville, TN 37207

Phone: 615-826-4914
Fax: 615-228-3846

http://www.nitroplate.com
8:00 AM till 5:00 PM CST Monday – Friday

Sharp Heels.com — Horsepower & Heels

//  by 

SharpHeels feature Horsepower and Heels
SharpHeels.com Feature on Horsepower & Heels

Racecar Driver (and Marketing Manager!) Erica Ortiz: An Energetic Advocate for Women in Drag Racing

Check out this feature on Horsepower & Heels driver and founder, Erica Ortiz on Sharp Heels.   The article talks about being a female racecar driver and what work Horsepower & Heels is doing to try and empower women competing in motorsports.

SharpHeels LogoSharpHeels.com– Horsepower & Heels

Sharp Heels is a career, fashion and lifestyle website driven by a community of intelligent, dynamic women offering guidance and inspiration for professional women.

Published Online: March 26, 2015

CarChix 2015 Event Schedule

//  by 

CarChix Ladies Only Drag Race
CarChix Ladies Only Drag Race competitors

Mark your calendars!

CarChix.com just announced their Carchix 2015 Event Schedule, and it looks like they have a fun-filled year planned. They have added a second Ladies Only Drag Race to the line up, as well as a return of their annual Women of Motorsports contest, Drag Racing for Life Breast Cancer benefit race, and other fun meet & greet events.

Want to learn more about Car Chix?  Check out this featured site article and read all about it!

CAR CHIX 2015 EVENT SCHEDULE

  • May 2nd – Chicago Blacklight 5k Run
    Chicagoland Speedway | Joliet, Illinois
    Join the CarChix Team for neon glow fun 5K  outing held at Chicagoland Speedway.
  • June 6th – Ladies Only Drag Race
    Byron Dragway | Byron, Illinois
    Return of the Ladies Only Drag Race series.  More information to be announced soon.  (Check the CarChix.com website for more info)
  • August 28th – 29th – Drag Racing for Life Breast Cancer Fundraiser / 62nd World Series of Drag Racing
    Cordova Dragway Park  |  Cordova, Illinois
    The 5th Annual Drag Racing for Life Breast Cancer benefit race is one of the largest events for CarChix.com.   (Check the CarChix.com website for more info)
  • September 12th – 19th – The 2015 Women of Motorsports Contest
    (Online Event)
    This annual contest takes place online, where ladies submit their favorite photos and solicit votes for a top spot.   The Top 12 Winners are then featured in the 2016 Car Chix Calendar.
  • October 4th – World Power Wheelstand Championship
    Byron Dragway  |  Byron, Illinois
  • October 10th – Ladies Only Drag Race
    Dyno Dom’s Sikeston Raceway | Sikeston, Missouri
    The second Ladies Only Drag Race event scheduled for 2015, this one is held at the Sikeston track.  (Check the CarChix.com website for more info)
  • November 21st – 22nd – Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals
    Donald E. Stephens Convention Center | Rosemont, Illinois
  • December 10th – 12th – Performance Racing Industry Show (PRI)
    Indianapolis Convention Center  | Indianapolis, Indiana
    A meet-up at one of the largest Racing Industry trade shows in the country.

Half way there! Clutchfunded Campaign

//  by 

We’re at the half way mark in our Clutchfunded Campaign.  But we still need YOUR help!

Clutchfunded Clutchfunded

Similar to other popular crowd funding platforms such as Kickstarter or GoFundMe, ClutchFunded was founded by a fellow female racer, Shannon McIntosh, after having achieved great success in her own crowd funding campaign.   Her idea behind Clutchfunded was to create a platform geared specifically towards racers and motorsport teams.

The way Clutchfunded campaigns work, friends, family and fans can contribute towards meeting an ALL or NOTHING goal. Once the goal is met or exceeded, the driver is considered ClutchFunded, and receives the funds raised through the campaign. The campaigns offer racer/team defined “Perks” that donors can choose from based on their contribution amount.

Horsepower & Heels ReIgnite Clutchfunded Campaign

Our campaign is focused on getting us some funds to ReIgnite the team and get us back on the track.   We have 15 days left to reach or exceed our goal of $3,000, and are currently 63% of the way there.    We need YOUR help to spread the word and get us to our mark.  Any amount is greatly appreciated, and you get some neat perks if we reach our goal!

ReIgnite Perks

Depending on your contribution, you’ll be listed on our Official ReIgnite page as a supporter, receive an Autographed Hero Card, Horsepower & Heels logo decal, Pin-up Girl style T-Shirt, exclusive access to the “Team Elite” membership group and more!  You can check out all the ReIgnite Campaign Perks on our Campaign Page.

We need YOU.

We are SO close, but with just 15 days to go, we could really use your help.  If you can’t contribute, we’d really appreciate if you could share this campaign often and everywhere.   We hope to see you soon, as we work to get Horsepower & Heels BACK on TRACK.

 Check out the >>>  Horsepower & Heels ReIgnite Clutchfunded Campaign

Clutchfunded Crowd sourcing

In Memory: Ryan Alexander McClure

//  by 

In Memory of Ryan Alexander McClure

Ryan Alexander McClure
June 17, 1988 – March 12, 2015

My heart broke Thursday when I heard the news that we lost a very dear family member of mine.   Ryan and his dad John are the two other gear heads in my family who I loved to talk shop and horsepower with.   They always lived too far away in Ohio, but some of my favorite memories growing up were their summer trips down to Florida to visit.   Those summer trips when we all got to be together I looked forward to all year long.

I used to kid Ryan about his various imports and Chevrolets he drove.  Kept trying to convince him if he wanted something fast, he needed to buy a Ford.   When he was younger, he even worked for Summit Racing.   As adults,  we didn’t get to see each other every summer anymore, but I still had a blast with him at his brother Sean’s wedding, where I was able to beat him at a few games of beer pong (if you can believe it).

It still hadn’t sunk in when I boarded a plane to Ohio to be with the family this week.   I kept expecting to see you roll in, joking like you always did.    The services held to celebrate your life were beautiful, man.   So many people loved you.   So many people’s lives you touched.   We got to hear all kinds of crazy stories, all the mayhem you caused and the laughter you always cultivated where ever you went.  You certainly are always the life of the party.  But the one common chord that rang clear, beyond all the shenanigans and funny times, is that everyone knew the loving and caring Ryan who just wanted to make everyone around him happy.

I am going to miss you so much.   I wish you were here so I could call you and tell you all about the new race car.   Wish I could hear you tell me how it’d be so much faster if it was a Chevy.  I was so looking forward to planning that trip to Norwalk to see you guys.   The passenger seat is now yours, Ryan.  I know you’ll be riding beside me, guiding my way down that track safe and sound.  I love you always.

Ryan’s Obituary

Ryan Alexander McClure of Stow departed this life too soon Thursday, March 12, 2015.

Ryan was born on June 17, 1988, in Akron and was a lifelong area resident.  He graduated from Stow Munroe Falls High School in 2006, and worked at A-1 Parking Lot Services for the last 11 years.  We knew Ryan as a generous, selfless young man who never knew a stranger.

Ryan was a loving son, brother, grandson, uncle and friend, and is survived by his parents John and María McClure of Stow; grandparents Jack McClure of Cuyahoga Falls and María Ortiz of Orlando, FL; three sisters, Ana (Steve) Theisen of Tallmadge, Joanie McClure of North Canton, and Kathy (Seth) Fritz of Louisville; two brothers, Aaron (Starla) McClure of North Canton, and Sean (Elissa) McClure of Dallas, TX; 16 nieces and nephews, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; and Larry Weitzell of Stow, Ryan’s second dad.

He often said that his work was his heart. He enjoyed the challenge of fixing things whether it was his truck or a washing machine. Ryan loved making us laugh especially while wearing his banana suit and singing the “Peanut Butter and Jelly” song.

He is preceded in death by grandparents Felipe Ortiz, Sr. and Evelyn McClure.

Heat #2: Racing on the Clock

//  by 

While I don’t have any REAL racing news to report, (*Yet!*) I figured I’d update you on our now bi-weekly office racing series results.   Gotta LOVE Racing on the Clock!

Race 2 Lap ResultsTRC Grand Prix Race #2

So this Friday, I would start in the #2 position (not that it matters on the course, you’re racing for time).   This would mark my 2nd time ever trying these carts, and now I had a better idea of what to expect out there.  The pressure was definitely on this time though, as some of the other guys had even taken to some weekend practice laps, gunning for the top of the list.

I started off in a pretty decent groove, and was maintaining and keeping position pretty well.   Pushed a bit too far on the hairpin turn, and ended up just saving it before spinning completely out.   I came to a complete stop on the track, and had to adjust and get back up to speed as quickly as possible.  I thought for sure I was done for, and all the remaining laps just felt off-pace afterwards.    I’m not sure what lap that happened on though, and it had to have been a REALLY fast lap before it occurred, because none of my laps were that far off my average at the end to even guess where it had happened.

Winner, Winner

At the finish line, it was HORSEPOWER & HEELS at the top of the leaderboard.   Wooohooo!  I had taken the fastest lap time, just barely edging out the previous champs time by like 5-thousandths of a second.   My best lap time had improved by more than 2 seconds on the same course from my first attempt a few weeks back.   My lap average just missed the top spot by less than a tenth of a second, so I’ve got some improving to do for next race.  I’m also just trailing in the overall points lead.

Maybe some of my cart/circuit racing ladies will chime in with some pointers and tips before our next race.  If so, lookout guys!