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Horsepower & Heels

Celebrating, promoting and supporting female racers and women in motorsports

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Blog

Helping Cale Aronson

May 7, 2015 //  by Horsepower & Heels

Cale and Tinzy AronsonCale and Tinzy Aronson are two of the hardest working people I have had the pleasure of meeting in the drag racing world.  I originally met them back in the Fun Ford Weekend days, when they were just dating, and was always proud to see how far they had come, both as a couple and in the Pro Stock ranks.

A few weeks ago, I got an opportunity to chat with them at the Bradenton IHRA race, where they were competing in Pro Stock.   We caught up and reminisced some on the Fun Ford Weekend days, and discussed some ideas for the possibility of a Fun Ford Reunion.

Sadly, just one week later, on April 25th, at the IHRA Palm Beach Nationals in West Palm Beach FL’s PBIR, Cale was involved in a terrible accident, with the car crossing the track and impacting the wall before rolling onto its roof and sliding down the track.    Initial reports were that Cale was alert and ok, but he was airlifted to the hospital and things got really quiet about his condition, until now.

Competition Plus.com just released the family’s statement.    Cale has suffered some very serious injuries to his spine, and is recovering from surgery to fuse vertebrae damaged in the crash.   Good news is that he has tingling sensations across his body, showing there is connectivity, but is still limited on the amount of movement he has over his upper body.    For now, he must let his body heal before beginning a long road of therapy to regain his strength and mobility.

The family has had an outpouring of support from the racing community since the accident, and continues to draw on that strength during this difficult time.   The Gwynn Family (of the Darrell Gwynn Foundation) stepped in to provide the Aronsons guidance and support, having experience with Spinal Cord injuries.

Tinzy and Cale AronsonHelping Cale Aronson and Tinzy

Cale remains in the hospital in Florida, surrounded by his family, all displaced from their Missouri home.    They will need support during this difficult recovery, helping them to offset the costs of his care and the family’s accommodations in Miami.   Godspeed Ministry, the official chaplain for the IHRA, has set up a Bridge the Gap fundraiser for the Aronson Family to help defray medical expenses.

For anyone wanting to send the family care packages or get well notes, they can mail these to:
Bupa International Patient Services Center
DTC Building, Ground Floor Central 152 for patient Cale Aronson
1080 NW 19th Street
Miami, FL 33136

Details of the Crash

Cale remembers every moment of the crash, and vows to help make these cars safer upon his recovery.  All the details can be found on Competition Plus.   Please visit their story for more.

Category: Horsepower & Heels BlogTag: Drag Racing, Special Causes

Girls Torque Collector Card: Erica Ortiz

May 6, 2015 //  by Horsepower & Heels

Girl Power Card- Erica Ortiz
Girl Power Collector Card- Erica Ortiz

Girls Torque, an Australian organization dedicated to helping girls succeed in motorsports, recently added Horsepower & Heels Racing driver, Erica Ortiz to its Girl Power Collector Card Series.   The collector card series features female racers and other women involved in motorsports.   Erica’s Girl Power card will be available in the Drag Racing box set, and features Erica’s photo and car rendering, with stats about her racing career and accomplishments.

Girl Power Drag Racing Box Set

The Girls Power Drag Racing Collector Card box set is the first of several to come, and can be purchased online at the Girls Torque website for AU$10 + shipping.    Each boxed set includes 34 cards from different drivers all across the world.

Girl Torque Racing Collector Cards

Category: In the NewsTag: Erica Ortiz, Girls Torque, Horsepower & Heels, Press

Pippa Mann’s run at Indy 500 for Susan G. Komen

May 1, 2015 //  by Horsepower & Heels

Pippa Mann 2015 Indy 500

Pippa Man enters 4th career Indianapolis 500

This year is the 99th running of the legendary Indianapolis 500, and British Indy driver, Pippa Mann, is ready to represent women racing with a special pink tribute car.  Paired with a large campaign on Indiegogo, the international crowdfunding website, her racecar livery is dedicated to the race against breast cancer at the Indy 500 for Susan G. Komen program.

This marks the 4th run at the Indy 500 for Pippa, who is one of only 11 female racers to compete in the historic race.  Her best finish so far has been in the 20th position, a mark she hopes to improve with her Komen team in 2015.

Susan G. Komen

The Susan G. Komen organization is the largest and most widely-recognized breast cancer assistance and resource non-profit organization.   Mann joined forces with the organization in her 2014 Indy 500 campaign to increase awareness and raise funds.  Her partnership with Indegogo has strengthened the funding efforts for her 2015 return, with a goal of $50,000 and a more fan interactive initiative.

As we started to prepare for the second year of this program, I wanted a much more interactive way to host the fundraising component that would show a goal, our progress towards it, and give us the ability to reward people who contribute to the campaign,” said Mann. “I am incredibly grateful for the way the racing community has stepped up to be a part of this campaign to raise money, and I love the list of perks we will be offering through the site.

Want to help Pippa fight Breast Cancer with Komen?

You can join into the fight by visiting pippamann.com/getinvolved, through midnight after the Indy 500 race concludes. Race fans, benefactors, media and other supporters can follow along the progression of the campaign leading up to race day. Donors get cool perks, including Komen wristbands and koozies, tribute T-shirts, Honda and Firestone hats, garage tours, a Race with Pippa night at Fastimes Karting, new exclusive Doug Garrison Artwork, and Bell mini helmets painted by Pippa’s Indy 500 helmet painter.

I’m excited about our campaign finally going live, and to see people clicking through, talking about it, telling friends about it, and getting involved with what we’re trying to do,” said Mann. “This isn’t a campaign for just my fans; this is a campaign for anyone who has been directly affected by breast cancer, and also for those we hope will never be affected. We believe our $50,000 goal is achievable, and we believe we can get there with the help of our fans and supporters. If just 5,000 people donate $10 each, we will be able to meet our goal.

The online buzz can be followed via the #GetInvolved hashtag on social media, as well as the URL pippamann.com/getinvolved.

Good Luck Pippa, we’ll be cheering for you!

Category: Women in Racing NewsTag: IRL, Open Wheel, Pippa Mann, Special Causes, Women Racing

Speed Scene Live TV- Erica Ortiz returns

April 23, 2015 //  by Horsepower & Heels

Speed Scene Live Episode 577Erica Ortiz returns to Pro Mod

Horsepower and Heels Racing driver Erica Ortiz joins Scott “Lucky” Hudson, Diana-mite, Bruce Barker, Bob Beck and the rest of the Speed Scene Live TV crew on air to discuss her history in drag racing, the struggles that took her away for several years, her triumph over health issues, and her return to Pro Modified Racing and current rebuild efforts.

Listen to the archive of the show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPwr_0B1Ifo&feature=youtu.be    (segment begins around 15:00 mark)

On Air:   April 21, 2015  Episode # 577speed scene

Category: Featured, In the NewsTag: Drag Racing, Erica Ortiz, Horsepower & Heels, Press, pro mod

Garage Area Racing- Driver of the Day

April 22, 2015 //  by Horsepower & Heels

GarageAreaThe Podium- Driver of the Day

Horsepower and Heels Racing driver, Erica Ortiz was featured on Garage Area Racing’s Daily Podium as the Driver of the Day for April 22, 2015.

Visit Garage Area Racing.com

Published Online: April 22, 2015

Category: In the NewsTag: Erica Ortiz, Horsepower & Heels, Press, Women Racing

Speed Scene Live TV

April 21, 2015 //  by Horsepower & Heels

On Air: Speed Scene Live TV

speed sceneTonight, listen in as I join the crew at Speed Scene Live to talk about the new car and Horsepower & Heels returning to racing.   The show airs live on www.speedsceneracing.com Tuesdays at 6pm Pacific/9pm Eastern (worldwide, GMT -8 hours winter, GMT -7 hours summer).

Be sure to tune in and support us!  

 

Category: Horsepower & Heels BlogTag: Press

Inside Southwire- Erica Ortiz overcomes adversity

April 17, 2015 //  by Horsepower & Heels

Erica Ortiz Overcomes Adversity, Fights to Reclaim Racing Dream

Inside Southwire NewsletterSouthwire is the leading manufacturer of wire and cable used in the distribution and transmission of electricity in North America.   They are also the parent company to TRC, the company where Horsepower & Heels founder, Erica Ortiz, serves as Marketing Communications Manager.    Inside Southwire is the regular newsletter published for its over 7,000 employees spread out across its multiple locations in North America.   The newsletter discusses her racing career and her professional career path, along with the current drive to return to drag racing.

Read the article:  Inside Southwire_April2015

Published:  Inside Southwire, Vol. 1, Issue 3 – April 2015

Category: In the NewsTag: Erica Ortiz, Horsepower & Heels, Press

Clutchfunded SUCCESS

April 10, 2015 //  by Horsepower & Heels

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.

Category: Horsepower & Heels BlogTag: Erica Ortiz, Horsepower & Heels, Ignite Team Elite, ReIgnite Team

StangTV.com – Mustang Girl Monday

April 6, 2015 //  by Horsepower & Heels

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

Category: In the NewsTag: Drag Racing, Erica Ortiz, Press, Women Racing

Fun Ford Weekend Alumni Reunion

April 1, 2015 //  by Horsepower & Heels

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!

Category: Horsepower & Heels BlogTag: FFW

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