Celebrating, promoting and supporting women in motorsports and Moto Enthusiasts

Enders/Anderson controversy

//  by 

So, I’ve made the commitment to myself to get back on the wagon of writing in this blog more often.   Racecar ready or not, I enjoyed blogging all about different things related to NHRA, drag racing or women racing in general, and a lot of that stopped when I started writing my Women In Motorsports column for Examiner.com.

There probably isn’t a good segway into getting back into it beside just jumping in with both feet, so I guess there is no better place to start than a little Pro Stock controversy.

Enders' infamous shot in front of Greg Anderson's trailer.
The infamous and controversial shot of Erica Enders in front of Greg Anderson’s trailer after her Chicago win.

Now, I’m naturally a strong women in motorsports advocate, so this comes with obvious bias, but I’ll present the facts and let you make your own determination.

This weekend at the NHRA Sonoma Nationals, after an apparent little staging battle during Round 2 eliminations between Greg Anderson and Erica Enders, Greg Anderson voiced his displeasure with Erica during his ESPN2 top-end interview, calling her unprofessional and accusing her of being unsportsmanlike in actions following her first NHRA Pro Stock win 5 weeks earlier, where she defeated him.

Apparently, the ill-comments stemmed from a photo taken of Enders hoisting her Wally after the win in front of Greg Anderson’s trailer.   (seen at left)

Now, the background story behind this photo, at least for us with a sense of humor, is that Greg made multiple comments to the press over the past few years that he didn’t want to be “that guy” who lost to Enders for her elusive first win.  To me, that was a repeated jab against Enders, who took it in stride and never made much ado about what could have also been viewed as a rather childish comment to be made repeatedly about a competitor.

Nearly 5 weeks after that incident, Greg took to the ESPN2 airwaves to comment on the situation regarding the staging battle and her post-race win behavior.

“Sorry for her luck. It’s always good when you race her and I’ve said it all along … she kicked my butt in Chicago. I really didn’t appreciate some of the things she did after that race … it was, in my mind, a little unprofessional. I think the karma train got her a little bit there. She’s a great racer but you have to be professional.” — Greg Anderson

My personal thought is that the photo was good-natured jesting by Enders, who celebrating her victory also was able to point out the irony in the fact that despite his many comments to the contrary, he was in fact “that guy” who lost to her in her first win.

What I did find a bit childish was the staging battle.    Sure, its legal, but its awful immature to resort to treating her like that on the track.  It worked to his favor, as she red-lit in this round handing him the win, but sure doesn’t paint him as the most sportsmanlike competitor.

What do YOU think of the controversy?  Do you think Erica Enders was unprofessional in taking that photo or was Greg Anderson the first low blow with his comments about being “that guy” to lose to Enders?

Win a Car Cover for your ride!

//  by 

We had a great turnout from our last giveaway, and Empire Covers has been nice enough to throw down another deal for Horsepower & Heels readers again!

EmpireCovers.com specializes in both affordable high quality Empire covers and truck covers, we love our Titan Car Cover on our 2008 Mustang Bullit.

The best part, Empire Covers wants to give all of you a chance to win $150 for a cover of your own!

Empire Covers

Here’s what you can do to boost your chances to win:

  1. Let’s be Facebook friends.
    Like Empire Covers on Facebook!   [+2] And while you’re there, be sure to Like Horsepower & Heels too! [+1]
  2. Tweet That.
    Follow @Empire_Covers [+2] and @HorsepowerHeels [+1]
    Retweet the contest posts on either to your followers [+1]
  3. Blog this contest.
    Talk about this contest to readers on your own blog with a link back to this post!  [+5]
  4. Subscribe.
    Subscribe to the Horsepower & Heels RSS Feed [+3] or the Horsepower & Heels e-newsletter (in the sidebar) [+4]
  5. Comment here.
    Comment below with your name, vehicle (year/make/model)  and which cover you like from the Empire Cover Website.
Contest will end at 11:59PM on July 31.   Winner will be chosen at random from entries.

Helping Dan Parker

//  by 

Dan ParkerThis post is one that comes with great sadness.

I regularly post different causes that I support, asking for help for things that are important to me, but none have ever hit quite so close to home as this one.

Dan Parker, a wonderful friend and mentor to me for over 10 years now, was seriously injured in a pro modified wreck on March 31, 2012  at Alabama International Raceway in Steele, AL.  Though his limbs and other physical injuries will heal with therapy, he has suffered a life-altering irreversible loss of his eye sight in both eyes.

This is heartbreaking news, as Dan is one of the most talented chassis builders/fabricators and tuners around.  Dan was the person who taught and helped me to cross over into the pro modified world, and I owe so much of my racing experience to him.   He is a great and generous man who has helped countless people.   Words cannot express how saddened I am that this happened.

I’m asking as a personal favor… Dan is going to need some help to get adjusted to all of this.   In addition to your continued thoughts and prayers, he’s really going to need some assistance at home with expenses, as he’ll be unable to return to the work he’s known his entire life.

I’ve been working on some new Horsepower & Heels merch, and I plan to donate some of the proceeds from that to him directly.   But in the mean time, here’s some other ways to help out below.   I’m sure him and his family would greatly appreciate it.

How to Help Dan Parker

Donations are being accepted via paypal at jduck72@live.com.   Any amount is appreciated.   Or, you can mail gift cards and other donations directly to  10692 Lee Rd 179  Salem, AL 36874

Golf Cart Raffle

His close friends and several businesses that he’s be associated with over the years have put together a special raffle for a custom EZ-GO golf cart worth over $4,000 complete with custom wheels/tires, custom lights, flip rear seat, and a body color of their choice.   Tickets for the raffle are $100, and all money goes directly to Dan to offset expenses in his time of need.   The raffle winner will be drawn July 2nd at Silver Dollar Raceway following the NWO race, right around Dan’s birthday.

How to Enter

You must send $100 entry as a donation/gift via paypal to jduck76@live.com (Josh Mack, Parker Chassis price checker).  Please include name, address, and phone number(s).     As each donation is received, a ticket number will be issued.

Promo Shoot: Huntsville Times 4/12/12

//  by 

Horsepower & Heels driver Erica Ortiz’s second hobby is also a fast-paced adrenaline feeding sport.

These series of photos were featured in  GO Magazine on 4/12/12, by Huntsville Times photographer Eric Schultz.

As eRacer X for the Dixie Derby Girls Flat Track Roller Derby team in Huntsville, AL, Erica is able to mix her two favorite passions.

While the Pro Mod was down for the rebuild, Erica needed another outlet to keep her active.   Roller derby was just the answer!  Follow some of her roller derby adventures on her blog, eRacer X Files.

 

[imagebrowser id=33]

Horsepower & Heels partners with Race4Girls

//  by 

Horsepower & Heels Racing has partnered with Race4Girls, a special organization designed to assist and promote women in motorsports.

Selected as one of the 20 Race4Girls drivers in 2012,  Erica Ortiz will help assist with the mission of bringing awareness and support to women involved in a wide variety of motorsports.

“Supporting Women in Motorsports has been a passion of mine for years, which is why I was so happy to find Race4Girls, an organization that gives great support, resources, encouragement and camaraderie to women out there competing on the track at a wide variety of levels.” — Horsepower & Heels driver, Erica Ortiz

Race4Girls provides support to female drivers by raising fan donations and awarding grants to drivers for much needed equipment and other expenses toward their racing endeavors.

Contributions can be made at www.race4girls.com. The organization requests a minimum five dollar donation. The contributions go in to a general fund from which drivers can request a grant. Registered drivers are required to earn points and “qualify” for a grant and can receive multiple grants during the racing season.

 “If one half of one percent of the race fans in the U.S. make a five dollar contribution, we will be able to provide funding for better equipment for 150 races or more.”  –Tracey Passantino, founder of Race4Girls

Race4Girls.com is the first website which offers speed enthusiasts a common place to show their financial support for women racecar drivers. Many drivers have offered fans an opportunity to help support a “fan car” but no organization has attempted to raise funds from fans to support a larger group of female drivers.    More details about how Race4Girls works can be found at www.race4girls.com.

 

Setting the wheels back in motion

//  by 

Over the last few years of inactivity, my racing efforts have been spread across a few states.  The racecar resides in Orlando, the engine components have been sitting in Atlanta with Mr. Moody, and other stuff never left Alabama at the chassis shop.

As time has ticked on, its been difficult to remember where the car stands, but now that some renewed energy has come back for my racing program, I’ve started to regroup.

This means that Goal #1 is to get the racing program back in a position where I can manage and take inventory of what needs to be accomplished going forward.

This weekend, I was able to set the wheels back in motion with a quick trip to Atlanta to collect my engine components from Mr. Moody.  He’s be patient with me and always been supportive, even though I had to put my racing on the back burner for the last several years.

They may be just baby steps, but they’re steps closer to the larger goal.  One day at a time, and chip it away~!

Win $150 Gift Certificate from Mishimoto

//  by 

We have another great giveaway for our readers!

This one comes from mishimoto.com, a great company that makes all kinds of cool products from replacement/aluminum racing radiators, intercoolers, silcone hoses, thermostats and other cooling system products for a wide variety of makes and model vehicles.

Thanks to MishiMoto, you can win a gift certificate for $150 towards any purchase on their website!

Here’s what you need to do to enter:

  1. Let’s be Facebook Friends!
    Like MishiMoto on Facebook, and be sure to Like Horsepower & Heels while you’re there too!
  2. Tweet That!
    Follow @GoMishiMoto and don’t forget @HorsepowerHeels too! Retweet the contest details for extra credit!
  3. Comment Here.
    Head over and check out the MishiMoto.com site (go ahead, we’re waiting…) and comment here with what catches your eye if that $150 gift certificate was yours.
  4. You’ve got MAIL.
    Be sure to sign up for the MishiMoto newsletter for extra credit!

Contest will end at 11:59PM on Sunday, December 11th.   Winner will be chosen at random from entries. 

Racing support to our Military

//  by 

Race support for our military
Race Support: Keeping them up to speed while serving overseas.

Lee McKinney, an old racing pal of mine, recently sent me an email about his current tour in Kabul, Afghanistan.   Lee has been a huge supporter of our military by organizing special “racing” support packages for those currently serving away from home.   He has been deployed to Baghdad and Bagram in the past, sending hundreds of special racing teams and sports memorabilia goodies that racers have donated to the support program in the past.

I’ve always tried to show my appreciation to our military by participating in these type of programs, like eMoM’s Holiday Love program in 2007, and again in 2008.   Helping Lee with this program means I get the added plus of getting some racing love to the guys along with my gratitude now too!

One of my closest friends just returned from Kabul after about 8 months, exactly where Lee is now, so this is even more personal to me.  I’ll be sending a few Horsepower & Heels T-shirts and stickers over, and would love to hear back from a few representing H&H in Kabul!

Racing companies and teams have contributed over 550 boxes of support to the program.  Past supporters include:  John Force Racing, Don Schumacher Racing, Mike Ashley, Danny Rowe, Kalitta Racing, Lucas Oil, Alan Johnson Racing, Moroso Motorsports Park, Atlanta Speedway/Dragway, Aronson Racing, Parise Racing, Hoosier Motorsports, Oakley/WileyX, Simpson Racing, Mechanix Wear, JEGS, O’Reillys, Advance Auto, NAPA Auto Parts, Penske Racing, Pete Berner Racing with Summit Racing and many, many more.

If you’d like to add your support, packages can be sent to:

Lee McKinney
USFORA NKC/J3
FP ATO Level 2 programs
APO AE 09356

DSN:449-0304

On Two Wheels

//  by 

Erica's new motorcycle

Picked up my new toy this weekend for the Horsepower & Heels garage.

On two wheels and ready to ride

Because my entire family rides, I’ve been wanting a Harley Davidson for as long as I can remember.   My fiance Alex picked me up a mint 1972 Honda CB450 awhile back, but the charging systems on those aren’t too reliable, so I wasn’t able to ride it as much as I would have liked.   Plus, since he’s a master technician at Rocket Harley Davidson, it made a whole lot more sense for me to have a Harley.

So he’s been on the look out for a bike I’d like, and sure enough one came through I couldn’t pass up.   Its a 2001 Sportster 883, but with the 1200cc conversion.  Plenty fast, and the bike is just gorgeous!

We’ve already got a few upgrades picked out.    Changing the headlight, turn signals to the new LED style, and a new seat.   But overall, this bike is exactly what I wanted and looks great in the Horsepower & Heels stable.

Now off to find some custom Horsepower & Heels leathers for the winter rides!

Winner of the Empire Covers Contest

//  by 

Empire CoversCongrats to Tim Woods on winning the EmpireCovers.com custom car cover contest!

Tim will get the Empire Cover for his Chevrolet Silverado SS pickup !    Be sure to send us some pics of your new cover, Tim!

If you didn’t win, you can still get a cover for your vehicle over at Empire Covers.

Big thanks to them for this great contest, and keep a lookout for more contests coming!