Celebrating, promoting and supporting female racers and women in motorsports

Horsepower & Heels Racing welcomes Torco Race Fuels

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Salem, AL– Horsepower & Heels Racing is proud to welcome Torco Race Fuels to the team for 2007. Torco Race Fuels is one of the biggest supporters of drag racing today, and is the largest independently owned race fuel manufacturer in the world.

“With everything that Evan Knoll does for our sport, I’m extremely honored to be working with Torco for 2007. I’ve always had great results running the Torco Mach 118 series, Torco Fuels flat out perform.”

 

THANKS TO THE SUPPORTERS OF HORSEPOWER & HEELS RACING

http://www.briskusa.com/ — BRISK SPARK PLUGS

http://www.trickflow.com/ — TRICK FLOW SPECIALTIES

http://www.harlandsharp.com/ — HARLAND SHARP

http://www.parkerchassis.com/ — PARKER CHASSIS & FABRICATION

http://www.excessiveengineering.com/ — EXCESSIVE ENGINEERING

MOODY RACING ENGINES

http://www.exileturbos.com/ — EXILE TURBO SYSTEMS

http://www.hernonmfg.com/ — HERNON HIGH PERFORMANCE SEALANTS & ADHESIVES

http://www.torcoracefuels.com/ — TORCO RACE FUELS

http://www.coolfitwear.com/ — COOL FIT WEAR

http://www.vfnfiberglass.com/ — VFN FIBERGLASS

http://www.competitiondesigns.com/ — COMPETITION DESIGNS

RIP, Erica Ortiz?!?

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There is nothing eerier than getting a message posted wishing you “Godspeed” & “RIP”. Is it a sick joke, a death threat, or a psychic preminition? In any case, its deeply unsettling… until I found out why.

Apparently, I had a royal namesake. The 31 year old sister of Princess Leticia of Spain was named Erica Ortiz (or Erika… its spelled both ways in the media). Apparently, she was found dead in her apartment on Wednesday of unconfirmed causes. Speculation flies across Europe about the possibility of foul-play or suicide, which makes one wonder what could be so bad at 31 years old, that you would leave your family and 6 year old daughter behind?

So a case of mistaken identity… I’m here and in good health. I hope however, that my namesake finds peace eternal… and that her family is comforted in this time of sorrow.

Another passes on

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This has been a tough start to the year, and now news of another friend passing on.

Vincent “Vinny5oh” Chagnet

I met Vinny several years back as one of the most vibrant members of the Hardcore 5.0 community. His personality and humor lit up the boards on a regular basis. You felt instantly connected to him, even if you never had met him in person. Vinny had his own hometown website, Stangbangerz, where all of the Cincinnati mustang people became like family. He always posted great stories and videos.

During 2003, I really got to know Vinny & Holly at the races, and even drove up from Orlando to attend one of their Stangbangerz picnics. I had a blast with them…. Vinny threw the BEST parties! I’ll never forget his Halloween bash! Vinny and Holly even helped me out by finding me a job in Cincinnati when I was set to move up there in late 2003.  I hate that those plans fell through… I’m sure I would have had a blast with the Stangbangerz group that he “Godfathered”… he made everyone feel so welcome.

Vinny, you will be greatly missed by all of us who loved and knew you. Rest in peace buddy!

Felipe B. Ortiz Sr.

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In loving memory of my dad
Felipe Benicio Ortiz, Sr.
August 23, 1930 – January 3, 2007

After a 2 year fight with Lymphoma, God has called my Papi home. Words cannot express the sorrow that I feel at his departure from this world, despite knowing that he is in a much better place. We all were at his side, as he would have had it no other way, and with this final prayer read to him by my sister Melanie, he took his final sigh….

“And shepherds we shall be, for thee my Lord, for thee, Power hath descended forth from thy hand, that our feet may swiftly carry out thy command, we shall flow

 a river forth to thee, and teeming with souls shall it ever be. In nomine  patris, et filii, et spiritus sanctus. Amen.”

 

My sister, Brenda, wrote this poem to Papi:

To Call You Father
When we were small, you were our protector and provider.
You gave of yourself day-in and day-out.
More than just food, clothing and shelter… no matter what,
we always knew we were loved.
When we needed it, you corrected us with “the Look”, and
comforted us with a word and a smile.
As we grew, you became our teacher and our advisor.
You made a wonderful role model, and a man to admire.
You have a quiet strength and courage, selfless sacrifice, and
endless generosity…. all things we cherish.
You’ve blessed us with so many wonderful memories.
Without a word, you gave us the priceless lesson that
there is dignity in working hard for your family, that
there is honor in doing the right thing – not the easy thing,
and that there is self-respect in doing everything well.
We are so proud to call you Father. We have been blessed
by you, and thank God that He gave us to you.
Thank you so much Dad,
WE LOVE YOU.

Papi…. I hope I always make you proud.
Love Always,
Erica

World Street Nationals

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Orlando, FL–

The annual World Street Car Nationals is the Indy of heads-up doorslammer racing in the country.   Erica attempts to qualify in Pro Street, running into problems with a broken rack, and a loose track at the top end.  She takes the #23 position out of 67 cars, but exits first round with a blown ignition fuse.

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Photo Credits:  Lauren Ortiz; Ian Tocher; Adam; Competition Plus; Jeffery Dunn

O-town bound

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For us street-style doorslammers, the Orlando World Street Nationals have been the long-running “Super Bowl” of Pro Street shootouts. This all-out, year ending battle for the honors of fastest on the planet comes with little in the way of rules. Basically, bring it all and the kitchen sink with you… Run Whatcha Brung. Not that my poor little T-bird is much in the way of “Brung”, but I’m going to try and qualify in the 32 car field for Pro Street. Years past, the bump has been in the 6.90 range, which is ever dropping, so as long as I can navigate the tricky Orlando SpeedWorld track to a low 6.70ish, I might be in the field and have a shot.

Though I’ve lived in GA/AL for the past 3 years, Orlando is still “HOME” to me. My family, friends, and old racing collegues all are still there, and I’m always a little homesick around this time of year. Even more so this year, as my Papi is really fighting with his Lymphoma right now, and more than ever I want to be with him and do well for him at this race. Please keep him in your prayers….