Horsepower & Heels

Alexis DeJoria’s 2016 livery teaser

January 27, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Check out this teaser video posted on Alexis DeJoria’s 2016 livery

Our hearts are pumping, and we can almost smell the nitro, folks! Just a few more weeks until the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing season begins at Auto Club Raceway. Check out this awesome teaser video that Alexis DeJoria posted to her Facebook today in anticipation for the unveiling.

Alexis DeJoria will return to the NHRA Funny Car class in her Kalitta-backed Patron Funny Car when the season opens in Pomona for the 56th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals on February 11-14, 2016. Stay tuned, the official unveiling will take place tomorrow.

Teryx Girls ready for ‘The Hammer’

January 27, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

UTV off-road racers Sara Price and Erica Sacks are ready to take on their next big challenge to showcase their off-road endurance skills in their factory-sponsored Kawasaki Teryx. The pair have taken on some of the most extreme off-road sporting events, with Sara coming from a professional career in motocross racing, and Sacks from an accomplished gymnastics career and off-road racing and navigation experience to her credit. Together, they have formed one of the most well-known UTV off-road teams, nicknamed the “Teryx Girls”.

Rallye Aïche des Gazelles 2015

Teryx Girls at 2015 Rallye Aiche des Gazelle — Photo: http://www.utvunderground.com/

Last March, the Teryx Girls became the first U.S. team to compete in the side-by-side class of the world’s toughest all-female off-road event, The Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles. The event is a 9 day navigation challenge, where competitors are limited to manual compasses and hand-drawn maps to cross the Sahara desert. After a rough start in which the two tenacious girls slept alone in the middle of the Sahara, they were able to recover and finish 7th in the class. They also were the best finishers in the rookie category, finishing before all other first-time participants.

Heading to ‘Hammertown USA’

With the experience they gained over the variety of African terrains in their cross across the Sahara, the Teryx Girls have decided to set a new goal in 2016 of tackling the King of the Hammers event. Held in Johnson Valley, Calif., the one day off-road race course is a rough and rugged 120-mile stretch considered by many as one of the most extreme off-road races in the world. The Mean’s Dry Lake bed location is referred to as “Hammer Town U.S.A.” and the week-long events surrounding the race are a major pilgrimage for the off-road racing community. Terrain challenges for the Teryx Girls will include the sandy dry lake beds, rough open desert landscapes and very difficult rock canyons that will challenge their technical rock climbing experiences with obstacles significantly larger than their Kawasaki UTV.

New Teryx Girls 2016 Kawasaki UTV

For 2016, Kawasaki and a host of other sponsors have come on board to equip the Teryx Girls with a brand new race-outfitted 2016 Kawasaki Teryx UTV, one of the only factory-sponsored UTV race teams in the world. Taking valuable lessons learned at the Gazelle rally, the Teryx Girls were ready for the huge undertaking of outfitting a new race-ready UTV.

Both Sara and Erica are very hands-on in the preparation and build process. They brought on IMG Motorsports from Lake Elsinore, Calif. to help with fabrications and set-up; crafting the roll-cage, front bumpers, and the customized fabrication needed for mounts and other modifications.

For the cage we decided to go with a bolt-on build that offered plenty of room for the girls to access anything they might need. We wanted the Teryx to have a menacing look with extra bracing to protect them in case of a roll-over.In a sea of RZRs, its cool to see a Teryx out there competing.” stated James Hill, co-owner of IMG Motorsports.

Next up, they outfitted the UTV with a 4500 lb. Super ATV winch and skid plate system to assist in the rock crawling portion of the course. For wheel and tire selection, the Teryx Girls chose a 14″ Raceline Mamba beadlock wheel and 30″ Arisun tire combo, with Coyote ENT inner wheel/tire liners to provide maximum traction and reliability. Long travel suspension from HCR Racing was installed for added height, stability and maneuverability on the technical parts of the course. Custom axles were made by Summers Brothers to match the new wider rear differential design of the 2016 Teryx model.

Full navigation is on-board courtesy of Lowrance GPS, and the girls will communicate via Bluetooth intercom provided by PCI Race Radios. The Teryx also received some performance upgrades via an ECU flash by Benchmark Performance to remove speed governors, allowing the girls to push the limits of their UTV. The girls will sit snug and safe in PRP GT/S.E. suspension seats, 5.3 harnesses, and even added a pair of hand restraints.

Training for King of the Hammers

The Teryx Girls have been hard at work training for the event and getting acclimated with their new UTV. Preliminary tests left the Teryx Girls confident and pleased with how the Kawasaki performed in the ruthless canyon rock terrain. Neither of the Teryx Girls had much previous experience in rock crawling, so the experience was new and educational for them both.

I usually try to avoid rocks, but in this case you aim for the rocks for better clearance,” said Sara.

For navigator Erica Sacks, the event will provide even more of a physical challenge, as she will be climbing in-and-out of the UTV to set up for obstacles in addition to her navigating duties. Running ahead of the UTV, moving heavy rocks, and climbing around to set the winch will all be extremely demanding tasks physically and mentally, and Erica wants to be sure she’s ready for the challenge.

The last thing I want to do is puke in my helmet or slow the team down because I wasn’t prepared,” said Erica.

Their training to date has introduced them to various portions of the Hammer trails: Chocolate Thunder, Wrecking Ball, Sludge Hammer, and Claw Hammer. The Teryx Girls are ready for the challenge, and can’t wait to hit the King of the Hammers course!

King of the Hammers Event Info

10th Annual King of the Hammers
January 29 – February 6, 2016
Hammertown (Boone Rd)
Johnson Valley, CA 92285

King of the Hammers Race begins Friday February 5th, 2016 at 8:00AM and concludes at 10:00PM. For more details, please see the Full Week Hammertown Official Schedule

Tickets: $20 per person for the week/cash only. Tickets can be purchased at all hours from the front gate starting noon, Jan 29 thru Feb. 6. First-time attendees should consult Spectactor Rules and other important information.

Leave your comments below to support the Teryx Girls at the King of the Hammers!

Larsen Motorsports wins Innovation award

January 25, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

IHRA Jet Drag Racing super team, Larsen Motorsports, was recently recognized by the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast as their 2016 Innovation Company of the Year.

The award selects a business who demonstrates innovation in product or service offerings, manufacturing productivity or processes, sales and marketing approach that result in increased investment. Larsen Motorsports, Inc was selected for carrying out the goal of bringing new talent in driving, design, engineering, maintenance and development of their jet drag racing development program. The program, which was recently expanded, reaches talent from around the world from their Brevard County, Florida location in Palm Bay.

Founders Elaine Larsen and Chris Larsen accepted the award on behalf of the company at the EDC’s Investor Update Meeting on January 20th, where companies were displaying locally made products in the Made in Brevard showcase exhibit.

“Our passion is to create a unique hands-on training experience that will inspire the next generation of learners into STEM related majors”, stated Chris. “With a unique business focus, a niche home as the anchor of Florida Tech’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Design (CAMID), and a team of innovators creating new and inventive product designs, we are honored to be a part of this business community and appreciate the EDC’s recognition as an innovator making a difference.”

The Larsen Motorsports team trained and provided development for the four jet dragsters teams in the program, nicknamed the “Fastest Girls in Town”. As driver, Elaine Larsen won the IHRA Jet Dragster Championship for 2015, aided by her crew chief and engineering student, Paige Sanchez. Other development program drivers in the program: Shea Holbrook, Kat Moller, Allison West, Dawn Purdue and Marisha Falk – all drove the 250+ mph jet dragsters. The Larsen Motorsports team also won the Horsepower & Heels Female Motorsports Team of the Year for 2015.

Calling all women in racing

January 24, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Oh boy.

I came across this post from Ariel Biggs this morning on Facebook, and it’s a DOOZIE.

A young girl with a dream to become a racecar driver was unbelievably told by her school teacher that it wasn’t acceptable for girls to be racecar drivers.

Hi everyone! Do I have a story for you this morning! This was shared by a friend of mine on Facebook.

Racing is not like many other sports, the cockpit is open to anyone brave enough to take the seat.
One of our young quarter midget girls had an assignment from school to list a personal goal. She chose a goal that would improve her winter and summer racing. The teacher told this young girl it was unacceptable as girls are not race car drivers, and made her do the assignment again. This young girl went home in tears and told her family to sell her car and all her gear as girls didn’t race. This young girl is extremely shy and just got her dreams smashed. Luckily her family finally convinced her that they don’t need to sell her stuff.
So here is what I need you guys to do:
Please share this post and tag all your female drivers. Ask them if they would send a letter of encouragement and maybe a pic of themselves in their race suit with their cars. I would love this young girl to have a scrapbook with proof girls do indeed race.
I would also like you to tag any other oval track promoter or racing series director that you can. I would love nothing better than to see this go viral and hit every oval track, racing series and female driver in America.
Emma deserves to see that she can be anything she desires to be! No teacher has the right to take away a young girl’s passion for anything. This teacher should not even be anywhere near young children, but most especially girls.
Please send your words of encouragement and pictures to:
Rocky Mountain Raceways
Attn: Dan Breach
6555 W 2100 South
West Valley City, UT 84128
dbreach@rmrracing.com
I know the oval racing family can give this young girl back her confidence so she will continue to race as long as she desires to do so! No human being should ever have to lose their dream just because of their gender!

Posted by Ariel Biggs Racing on Sunday, January 24, 2016

UNITE TO SUPPORT EMMA

This is where the power of the internet can be used for so much good. If you are a reader here, then you already know how many women and girls are successful in racing. If you are a reader here, then you already support women in motorsports or are one out there competing.

Let’s help this little girl out. Show her that one person’s outdated beliefs and narrow scope on the world is NOT by what she should judge her future and her dreams.

Emma,

Horsepower & Heels supports you 100% on chasing your dreams, and we know that you can achieve everything you want through determination and hard work! Don’t let anyone tell you any different. There are thousands of strong, fast and successful girls out there doing just that, and waiting on you to join them!

-From one female racer to another,

Erica

Let’s leave her comments of support and help build her confidence!

Valerie Thompson at Grand National Roadster Show

January 21, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Grand National Roadster Show | Quest for Speed

Seven-time speed record holder, Valerie Thompson, will be a featured celebrity racer at the 67th Grand National Roadster Show at the Fairplex in Pomona. Hand picked from a group of accomplished land speed racers, Thompson’s record setting 200+ mph BMW race bike will be displayed in a special tribute area dedicated to the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) named “Quest for Speed.”

Over 500 show vehicles will compete for awards within the Fairplex buildings. Another 400 – 800 vehicles will join the event over the weekend for the 11th Annual Grand Daddy Drive-In event. The Grand National Roadster Show is now in its 67th year. Formerly known as the Oakland Roadster Show, it is the longest running indoor car show in the world. This marks the 13th consecutive year of the show being held at the Pomona Fairplex.

I’ve always had a passion for land speed racing. Competing on the Salt Flats of Utah and dry lakebeds of California as an independent racer always reminds me of the unsung heroes who made American racing what it is today. This special invitation to appear at the most prestigious rod show just blows me away. More importantly, this exhibit will be used as a fund raiser for the SCTA, a non-profit organization that makes racing dreams possible for all competitors, no matter the size of their pocket book,” added Thompson.

Thompson formed her own land speed racing team in 2012 and recorded a personal best top speed of 217 mph at the 2014 Texas Mile. In 2015, Thompson became the first female member of the Colorado Mile 200 MPH Club on her Quicksilver Powersports Lubricants/CTEK BMW Motorrad and is now a member of six-land speed racing 200 MPH Clubs, including the prestigious Bonneville 200 MPH Club. As a result, she is often referred to as “America’s Queen of Speed.”

Search for a Champion 2016 – Round 1

January 16, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

The 5th annual Search for a Champion contest held by Champion gives racers a chance to compete in two divisions: Amateur for a $25,000 grand prize and Advanced for a $50,000 grand prize. The first round of voting will determine the 25 racers in each division that will compete for the grand prize.

Women Racers | Search for a Champion

It is always great to see the growing number of women that join the ranks to compete for the prize to aid in their racing careers. There are an impressive 45 women entered in the Search for a Champion contest. Voting for round one ends February 2, 2016.

To help support women in motorsports, vote for any of the ladies below:

Carly Jo Ellingson | 2015 Grand Prize Winner

Last year, young upstart Carly Jo Ellingson represented women in racing well, winning the 2015 Search for a Champion Grand Prize. Kelsey Rowlings, Amber Balcaen, Kaley Moody, Alex Rogeo, Tina Stull, Caley Weese, Molly Helmuth, and Taylor Toftemark were also female finalists for Team Champion in 2015.

Sneak Peek: Erica Enders new Dodge Pro Stock

January 14, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Elite Motorsports | Erica Enders Dodge Pro Stock 2016 Dart

NHRA Two-time Pro Stock World Champion Erica Enders has released a few sneak-peek shots of her striking new ’16 Dodge Dart. The car will be making its competition debut a month from now, when she begins her pursuit of a third consecutive NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series title.

Erica Enders’ new Dodge Pro Stock was built by RJ Race Cars in Galesburg, Ill., the famed shop led by Enders’ crew chiefs, Rick and Rickie Jones. They previously crafted her championship-winning cars from 2014 and 2015.

Enders’ Elite Motorsports team is beginning a partnership with Mopar this season and will field Dodge Darts in Pro Stock competition trim. The car is built to new NHRA Pro Stock specifications, including several new rules for 2016 and beyond: fuel-injected engines with a 10,500 rpm limit, plus the removal of hood scoops and shortened wheelie bars.

“Rick and Rickie take a lot of pride in the cars they produce,” Enders said. “They both have said these two cars are the best two pieces that have ever come out of their shop. That’s pretty cool.”

Erica Enders and her Elite Motorsports team are expected to test the new Dodge Pro Stock in Phoenix the week before the season-opening event, Feb. 12-14, at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, Calif.

What do you think of the new, sleek, hoodscoop-less Pro Stock design?

Leave us a comment below!

Aerospace extends NHRA participation

January 13, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Horsepower & Heels Motorsport Professional of the Year finalist, Kim Kussy, announced today that Aerospace Components has extended its agreement as the presenting sponsor of the NHRA Excellence in Engineering Award at select NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events through the 2017 season.

“We are excited to announce our multi-year involvement as presenting sponsors of the NHRA Aerospace Components Excellence in Engineering Award,” said Kim Kussy, co-founder, President and CMO of Aerospace Components Inc. “Because we design and manufacture high performance drag racing billet aluminum components, this program is a perfect fit to honor and support those sportsman racers who exemplify the best engineered vehicles with a Wally trophy.”

Aerospace Components Excellence in Engineering

Formerly the Best Engineered Car Award, NHRA’s Excellence in Engineering Award will be presented at 12 NHRA Mello Yello Series races in 2016. The prestigious award is presented to an individual who brings a unique edge in craftsmanship and technology to each NHRA national event. Voted on by the NHRA Tech Department, the recipient receives a special award-specific Wally to commemorate the achievement. Past winners have included unique chassis builders, drivers that feature distinctive parts and individuals who work to design and test unique concepts.

The NHRA is very proud to have Aerospace Components continue its partnership with NHRA Drag Racing,” said Gary Darcy, NHRA senior vice president of sales and marketing. “The NHRA features some of the world’s most mechanically and technically complex machines and the NHRA Aerospace Components Excellence in Engineering Award honors those who continue to push the boundaries and break barriers in our high-speed sport.”

The program is only one of the ways Kim Kussy stays active within the racing community, supporting customers and racers for their successes. Aerospace Components is family-owned and operated by the Kussy family and has been producing high quality components for 30 years.

They began doing government contract work, primarily the manufacturing of defense systems, guidance systems and space station components, with Kim growing the business becoming one of the most successful professional women in motorsports.

Today, the Aerospace Components name is known throughout the racing industry as one of the leaders in manufacturing high performance drag racing products. They design and build brake systems for any make or model car, billet aluminum vacuum pump systems, fuel pumps, water pumps, two speed power glide shifters and more.

Harli White begins 2016 with return to Chili Bowl

January 13, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Harli White will kick off her 2016 racing season this week at the 30th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals Presented by General Tire.

This marks the third consecutive appearance at the Chili Bowl for White, who will compete in her family owned car. During the off season, the team installed a fresh engine, new body and redesigned graphics in preparation for the marquee midget event at Tulsa Expo Raceway in Tulsa, Okla. White is set for preliminary competition on Thursday before the finale on Saturday.

“It’s huge,” she said. “It’s what every driver dreams of. I’m so honored we can race the Chili Bowl. Our last two years we’ve had good finishes. Our goal every year is to try to improve and do better than we did the last year.”

The Chili Bowl Nationals have been renowned as the ‘Super Bowl’ of Midget Racing since 1987, and feature over two hundred race rigs, bleachers for thousands of people and an ever-growing trade show. The event is contested on the quarter – mile clay oval inside the River Spirit Expo Center at Tulsa’s Expo Square. Without sun or wind to harm it, the indoor garden clay is heavily saturated so that the boldest dirt track artists can shine.

Harli White finished in a C Main each of the last two years, but she was in contention for a transfer to a B Main at both events.

“You have to have a lot of luck and skill,” she said. “You have to have a good car. You have to stay away from wrecks. It’s a lot of luck at the end of the day, but you have to have your skill to get you there.”

White competed in a handful of midget races in 2015 since last year’s Chili Bowl, including a top five finish last fall.

“This is the most prepared we’ve been for the Chili Bowl,” she said. “In the past we didn’t get to race the midget besides at the Chili Bowl and this past year we got to run it a few times so that should help.”

2nd Annual Women in Automotive Conference

January 12, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Details for the 2nd Annual Women in Automotive conference have just been announced. The 2-day conference will take place at the Omni Orlando Resort at Champions Gate in Orlando, Florida on June 26-28, 2016.

The focus of the 2016 Women in Automotive Conference will be educating and empowering the automotive community on thought leadership and trends that positively impact employment and sales growth within the female market.

“More than 300 professionals from across the country attended the inaugural Women in Automotive Conference in 2015, we expect to double attendance at our 2016 event,” stated Christy Roman, Founder of Women in Automotive.

Sponsors and attendees from the inaugural event in 2015 included AutoNation, Asbury Automotive Group, Hendrick Automotive, BMW Careers, General Motors, Cars.com, Cox Automotive, CDK Global and Digital Airstrike. Industry Associations included the Florida Automobile Dealers Association and the Women’s Automotive Association International.

This year’s expanded event will include seminars, workshops and keynote speakers all designed to assist in communicating to and capitalizing on the benefits of women both as employees and automotive consumers. The goal – to move the automotive industry forward relating to one of most influential segments of the market: Women. Both male and female automotive professionals are encouraged to attend.

Women in Automotive Conference 2016 Information

Dates:
June 26, 27, & 28, 2016

Location:
Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate
1500 Masters Boulevard
ChampionsGate, FL 33896

Registration:
Early Bird – $295/attendee by 4/30/16
General/At-Door – $495
Register Online

Contact Info: Women in Automotive Conference

Website: http://www.womeninautomotive.com
Phone: 407-256-2645
Email: info@womeninautomotive.com