Celebrating, promoting and supporting women in motorsports and Moto Enthusiasts

Speed Racer

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Erica is featured in the mainstream magazine Latina in their Mujer (woman) on the Move column.

Speed Racer

Latina Magazine

May 2007

Ortiz going to step things up — RPM Magazine

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In the March 2007 issue of RPM Magazine, the Horsepower & Heels team received mention in their 1320 Pits Bits column on driver Erica Ortiz’s upgrade plans for a new 2007 Mustang project.

Ortiz going to step things up
RPM Magazine
1320 Pit Bits
March 2007

(click the image to enlarge)

Nothing stands between a girl and her racecar

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And I do mean NOTHING.

This past weekend, I made the trip from Alabama to Chicago,IL to pick up the new Mustang body. Not at all one of my best weekends. I left by myself Friday after work, determined to make it up and back and bring the new “Bessie” home. Sounds simple enough, right? Of course not.

My Floridian grown behind got my first experience of driving in icy, snow-ladened conditions courtesey of a winter storm hitting the north that I learned was named “The Clipper“. Not only had I never driven in icy conditions and knew nothing about what to expect, but I also got the trial-by-fire experience of learning to navigate those roads in a Truck and Trailer. I’m glad to report that I made it safe and sound, after only minorly freaking out on desolate I-57 in Illinois where there wasn’t a diesel pump open or accessible for miles.

So my 12 hour trip looked more like 20+hours, but I finally made it to VFN Fiberglass in Addison, IL on Sunday morning, and made it all worthwhile. Armando was nice enough to meet me on his day off to get it loaded and on my way. And let me tell ya, that wasn’t an easy task!

Because nothing at all… not even a Northern Snow Storm can stand between a girl and her racecar.

That’s TRUE LOVE.

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