Celebrating, promoting and supporting women in motorsports and Moto Enthusiasts

Back in the Automotive Industry

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Its official, I’ve joined the Blue Oval Family Full-Time!

Woody Anderson FordUp until now, most of my working career has been based in the Marketing Communications/ Public Relations realm.   After I left Lugo Performance back in 2004, I had been working to pay the bills outside of the automotive industry.

My first  love and goal had always been in trying to be a full-time racer.   But my strengths in Public Relations and Marketing would also be a tremendous asset for a team PR position, something I could never quite get my foot in the door at the right time to pursue.

Last year, I decided I would try a different approach.  I decided to take a part time job at Advance Auto just to be around the automotive world again.   Although it didn’t do much in the “paying the bills” department, I really enjoyed the work and realized that my heart is really in the automotive industry.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved the work I did as the Communications Director for the library (my current position).   PR is something I’m really good at, and I really enjoy doing that work too.  But when you’re a gearhead like me, the chance to get back in the automotive industry just is too hard to pass up.

Next week, I’ll start my new position as a Service Adviser at Woody Anderson Ford.   I’m really excited for this opportunity, and Woody Anderson is one of the largest dealerships in my area with a rich and exciting history.

I’m hoping this is just the start of an excellent and full career.   Who knows where it will lead me, and I can’t wait to find out!

It also can’t hurt to be around all those GT500, Roush and SMS Mustangs, either.  Just sayin’.

Win an Empire Car Cover!

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We’re glad to be back, and helping to kick off the relaunch of the new Horsepower & Heels Website is Empire Covers!

EmpireCovers.com specializes in both affordable high quality car covers and truck covers, and Horsepower & Heels has been given the opportunity to test out their Titan Car Cover on a 2005 Mustang GT.

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

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 October 6.   Winner will be chosen at random from entries.

Have helmet, will travel

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Erica in a FiresuitAs is the case in the drag racing world, you always have to stay prepared.

Have helmet, will travel.

I received a phone call of a possible driving opportunity that may be coming in the near future, but since it’s been a few years, my NHRA Advanced ET Competition license has expired and I will need to complete the licensing procedure all over again.

That means I need to find a car capable of running 7.50 or faster, and complete my 6 runs (one half pass, 3 moderate runs, and 2 full passes faster that 7.49).

That wouldn’t be a big deal normally, except that my own car isn’t running at the moment, and I can’t afford a trip to a place like Frank Hawley’s just to get the license again.

So, I’ve put out a call to all my racing friends to see if someone would be willing to let me make a few passes to get my license again.  I can’t offer any cash right now to “rent” their car, but I can provide great crew slave labor and awesome PR help for their team!

So far a few people are checking for me, fingers crossed I find someone so I can get this key roadblock out of the way.  If you know of anyone or have a car you’d let me shoe, please send me a message!

I’ve got some ‘splainin to do

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For someone who has always been described as a “driven” individual, I really have some explaining to do on my absence from all things Horsepower & Heels the last few years.

Believe me, its not from lack of missing the sport of drag racing, and all things Horsepower & Heels that took me the better part of 8 years to create.   But, life happened.

When I finished my rookie season in Pro (2006), I was on top of the world and felt that I had momentum to carry me through all the dreams I had been working so hard to make reality.   I had made in-roads towards Top Fuel, had secured funding for an upgraded body for my pro chassis, and had upgraded some critical engine parts for the following season.

But then I learned that the business of drag racing was a bit more cut throat than I had imagined.  I made some costly mistakes.  I trusted people who led me the wrong direction.  And ultimately, I suffered in this economy with the rest of America.

For the first time in my racing career, I felt defeated.  Jaded almost, from all the roadblocks and hardships and dishonesty I encountered.    I let this negativity penetrate, and it resulted into several years away from the sport I love so much.

The website hadn’t been updated since 2009, I felt that it was the starting point for a reignite.  But working two jobs to stay afloat meant there wasn’t much time to devote, and wanting something completely different meant I had to learn from the beginning.

I listened to my friends and fans ask me over and over:  “Where are you?”   “When was the car going to be done?”   “Are you racing?”  It should have fueled my desire to push forward as it always had, but instead, a small part of me died each time.

Every once in awhile during these jaded years, someone would call with a promising development.   Every time it seemed it was a dead end.   The effort and the money I spent chasing these dead ends started to add up.    Pretty soon, I was so jaded that I stopped even trying to validate these leads.     I had let the agonizing chase beat me.

I saw other ladies out there struggling too.   I friended some, thinking if I couldn’t help myself then at least I could help them not make the same mistakes.   I have always believed in Women in Motorsports.

But the truth that was always there during these years away from the sport:   I love drag racing, and everything I do to fill this gaping hole in my heart stops miserably short.   I wasn’t happy.  I knew I missed this community, this family, and everything that racing means beyond the finish line.   I knew that giving it up was something I let others dissuade me into believing was my only option.   But its not.

So I’m giving it a Round 2.   It may never be the dreams I had at 25, but I can find balance and with supportive family and friends, I will return!

9/11 Attacks | Ten years later

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Today is the 10th Anniversary of the attacks on our nation.   Its a day we will never forget, and the only day that my generation has ever truly felt that terror of war brought to our homefront.

As most all Americans, I will never forget that day and the feelings of shock and disbelief I had when I learned of the attacks.

9/11 Attacks – 10th Anniversary

I was just arriving at the shop (Lugo Performance), and was online working on the website when I saw something hit AOL news about the attacks.   I immediately turned on the radio to listen in as each station broke in reporting the latest in the terrifying events.   Just minutes later, I could hear the agony as the world watched the second tower hit.   It was a scary and helpless feeling.

I didn’t know anyone in Manhattan, I didn’t know anyone in DC, but tragedies of this magnitude immediately make you recheck your own life.  I called my family, I called my best friend Heather in California and woke her with the news.   We all sat glued to the televisions.   Tears flew down my face as I watched the towers collapse.    4 different planned, malicious attacks on our soil.    It was unfathomable.

Florida, was eerily quiet that day.  No planes in the sky.   No one running around.  Everyone was glued to the TV, the radio listening and watching with horror.   It was though those attacks had stopped the world from spinning in this country.   I wanted so bad to jump in a car and head for NY.  I wanted to help dig those poor people out.  I wanted to do SOMETHING.  ANYTHING.

I remember the address that President Bush gave late that evening.

“Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts…

…These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed. Our country is strong. A great people has been moved to defend a great nation.”

If anything good came out of that day, it was that at least for a brief time, we all were one.  One nation.  Under God.  Indivisible.   We were a proud and patriotic country that day and for the months after that we united to fight back.  To not be afraid.   To honor those we lost.   There was no political agenda.  No conspiracy.   I felt as though I was experiencing the patriotic dedication of our forefathers, that I always imagined life was like during the Allied battles of WWI and WWII.   Where we all came together to help our fellow countrymen, where bravery was honored and respected.

Of course, that faded with the settling dust, but at least I was able to experience that patriotism in my lifetime.   If nothing else on today’s 10th Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks,  I want to be sure that I remember the brave souls that fought on the front lines that day- NYPD/NY Fire/Rescue, Pentagon, and all those who took this fight off our soil and continue to defend us today.

We will never forget.

Welcome Back!

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Horsepower & Heels logoWelcome back!

Its been a long time coming, but we’re happy to debut our newly redesigned Horsepower & Heels website, as part of what we’re calling our big  COMEBACK!

That’s right, Horsepower & Heels is finally back with renewed fire and purpose, and ready to get back out on the track where we belong!

After the economic downturn stalled efforts with sponsorship, Erica Ortiz and the team were forced to park their racing efforts to focus energy on home and career.   But the passion and drive never died, and now Horsepower & Heels Racing is BACK, with renewed fire and more tricks up our sleeves!

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to visit often and see what we have in store for our faithful fans!

H&H Cold Hard Art Model

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This year for my birthday, my boyfriend Alex surprised me with one of the most unique and amazing gifts:   he commissioned Tom Patsis of Cold Hard Art to create a metal art sculpture of my 2007 Twin Turbo Mustang Pro Mod.

Tom took only the photos I have online here to create the model.   The attention to detail is stunning!  Everything is present:  the turbo impellers, the wheelie bars, the parachute and beadlock wheels.   It is one of the most impressive art pieces I’ve ever seen, and it looks exactly like my racecar!

He’s done other impressive models as well, and I’m quite honored to be one of the lucky subjects of his art!   I’m also quite honored to have a really smart, resourceful and thoughtful boyfriend who knows that car parts and racing art beat flowers hands-down!

 View Photos of the Build

Erica Enders for People’s Choice

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K&N Horsepower ChallengeErica Enders has really been on fire this season after her return to Cagnazzi Racing, and I’m expecting her first win to come any time now this season in Pro Stock.

Its good to see EE doing well, after struggling for the past few years.   See what a difference a great team can make when a great driver is paired?

Erica Enders for People’s Choice

I’d love to see EE go for the glory this year in the K&N Horsepower Challenge, so I’m asking everyone to get out and vote for Erica Enders in the People’s Choice entry.   She’s doing so well this season, she may not need it… but it sure would be great to have her win the People’s vote!

Good luck, EE!

Fun Ford Weekend is BACK!

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Fun Ford Weekend is back in 2011
A sight for sore eyes.

Now THIS is the kind of news I like to hear!

Fun Ford Weekend has just announced that they are returning with 5 events this season, and more to come in 2012.    The series, which is where I raced from 1998-2006, is only returning to bracket racing, car shows, and adding an autocross event… for now.

One of the biggest reason my 2007 Mustang Twin Turbo project has laid dormant for the past 4 years is that the series the car was built for (Fun Ford) closed its doors in 2008.   This left myself and many others with purpose-built cars that could not compete elsewhere without significant changes.

Seeing the old Fun Ford Weekend logo flying back around the net is a huge kick in the seat of optimism.    The website says that the events will only feature bracket drag racing in 2011, but that the series will be expanded in 2012.

In less than 24 hours since the FFW site  first went live, my phone has already been ringing from a handful of my old Fun Ford Weekend friends who are thinking much the same way I am, that we need to talk FFW into bringing back heads-up racing in 2012.

For me, this could be the fast track back to racing.   The elimination of Pro 5.0 left my car virtually obsolete and uncompetitive against the only alternative of full-fledged Pro Modified racing.    The car simply could not compete against cutting edge pro mod chassis and engine combinations, and no other sanctioning body filled the void between weekend Pro 5.0 racing and full-fledged professional pro mod operations.

If Fun Ford Weekend can resurrect the Pro 5.0 class, it would allow racers a more economical and more recreational venue to continue racing for many displaced by the shutdown.  It would also reunite a loyal following of friends and family devoted to the series that spanned over a decade of fond racing memories.

I’m going to be reaching out to other Fun Ford racers in hopes of rallying support for the return of heads-up racing in Fun Ford Weekend.   Perhaps if the new?? owners of FFW see the loyal following and demand for heads-up return, it will convince them to revive the series in 2012.

Get those emails ready folks, Horsepower & Heels is campaigning for a comeback to FUN FORD WEEKEND RACING!