Its getting even CLOSER! BIG, HUGE, CAN’T EVEN PUT INTO WORDS THANKS to David Johnston of Johnston Body Works and Bikes and Dan Parker at Parker Chassis. I’m really excited! Its getting so very close now!
Horsepower & Heels Blog
Erica Ortiz is a professional drag racer from the all-female pro modified team Horsepower & Heels and strong advocate of women in motorsports. A veteran both behind the wheel and behind a torque wrench, Erica brings over 10 years of experience navigating the male-dominated motor sports arena from the female perspective.
2009 World of Wheels Atlanta
Its been a LONG while since I was around some good ole hot rods, so I was really excited to attend the 2009 World of Wheels Expo in Atlanta this weekend. I managed to remember to bring my fancy-pants camera, which I haven’t drug out in over 2 years. After reviewing my photos from this weekend, I’m WAAAY out of practice, and did more fumbling with the thing than anything (hello FLASH, what happened to you?!?) , but you’ll get the picture.
I LOVE rat rods and the work and creativity that goes into them. There were many need rat rods and choppers at this show, my favorites being the old skool tow trucks and themed bikes.
There were some iconic cars there as well. I’m a huge Speed Racer fan, so the Mach 5 rendition was especially cool to me. The Foose P-32 Roadster was also on display, as well as both the original and the latest rendition of the KITT cars from Knight Rider (As much as I love Mustangs, I still don’t think the Mustang as the new KITT car seems right to me).
They even had a stunt street bike exhibition set up in the far corner, but of course my shoty photography skills got a major FAIL in that department. My blurry attempt at getting the endo stoppy action:
You can take the girl out of the tropics…
….but you can’t take the tropics outta the girl!
Although I was born and raised in Orlando, FL for the first 24 years of my life, I haven’t lived there for the last 5 years. (which is NOT for lack of trying to go home! Stupid economy!) When people ask me where I’m from, I’m still programmed to say Florida. When people hear me complain that its too cold… my answer is that I’m 100% Florida girl and just DO NOT do COLD. But someone challenged me recently. *AHEM!* (Thanks, Jeff!)
“You haven’t lived in Florida for 5 years now! I think you can stop claiming that.”
WHAT?!?! Someone questions my 100% Florida sunshine BLOODLINE?!? The NERVE! ha!
Well, last night, I proved exactly WHY I do NOT belong in the cold.
Its was a blustery 9 degrees in Huntsville last night as I entered Roller Derby practice. I parked, and since the parking is a bit of an incline, I didn’t even think much when I pulled the parking brake up and ran inside. Practice is about 2 hours long, so by the time I got out shortly after 10pm, the cold had really set in.
I quickly ran in my derby mini, tights, and knee socks to the car ready to get moving and get the heat crankin’ in the car. When I went to start the car and let down the ebrake, I knew I had a problem. The handle fell limply to the console, but the tension didn’t release.
OH CRAP.
Duh Erica! You’re not supposed to set the parking brake in the cold weather! It’s halfway frozen before on me, but never 40+ miles from home and at 10pm at night, in the ghetto, by myself, and in a MINI SKIRT. SAAA-WEET!
So, I try letting the car warm up. 20 minutes, no luck. I back up and go forward trying to rock it free. Nope, no dice. I yank on the handle and try to wiggle the cable loose. Try again, dummy! 40 minutes later, and the parking lot at the rink is now empty and very menacing feeling. I made some phone calls to see if anyone else had any ideas (Sorry Dennis and Dan at almost midnight your time!) Still nothing.
So, we’ve collectedly determined that the thing is probably frozen stuck where it goes under the driveshaft tunnel. “Can you crawl under the car and see if you can reach it?” Umm, Hi. Mini-skirt. 9 degree weather. Ummm lemmeee think about it…. NO! Plus, where we think its stuck would’ve been out of reach anyways without jacking the car up.
So, after a few more futile minutes of jerking around with the parking brake handle, back up and going forward, and even a few quick sideways launches trying ANYTHING to jar the damn cable, I realize that I’m going to have to limp this thing out of the ghetto and the 40 miles home at the expense of my rear rotors and brakes. Yea, smoking red rear calipers are wonderful fun! It finally let loose about 20 miles down the road…. I ended up getting home well after midnight. I haven’t even attempted to look at the rotors to see how bad they are.
And I don’t even live in that icy, crappy stuff you people call SNOW!
Hey! Don’t judge…. Years of making SANDMEN for Christmas doesn’t exactly prepare you for the winter virtues.
NHRA Fan Relief
I was really worried about the state of the dragpocalypse, and NHRA’s seeming lack of action toward the current economic situation.I stand corrected.
The NHRA has just recently announced a Fan Relief Program, aimed at helping the fans in the current economic downfall.The plan still doesn’t address the racer’s hardship, so its not clear if fans will still be faced with short fields, but it does move forward on helping the sport navigate the very precarious climate.
Fans now will enjoy reduced admissions, free entry for children under 12, free Friday entry for active military members, and discounts to NHRA merchandise. Its a great step for the NHRA.
With the gloom and doom of the off-season, its easy to get caught up in the soap box of pointing blame. (Myself Included.) But, Funny Car driver Ron Capps really made a great point:
There can be two ways we can handle the situation. One is that we can all complain about it, say that since there may not be full fields the racing won’t be as good, and that I am gonna stay home, not go to the races I might usually go to, and not watch it on ESPN. The other option is do everything as a drag racing fan to help our sport through these times. Trust me, all motorsports are gonna see tough times, but I think that times like these will define our sport and its fans. -Ron Capps, NAPA Funny Car Driver
The start of the 2009 Full Throttle NHRA Drag Racing Series is around the corner. Here’s hoping to a great year and lots of SAFE racing!
You can take the girl outta the tropics
….but you can’t take the tropics outta the girl!
Although I was born and raised in Orlando, FL for the first 24 years of my life, I haven’t lived there for the last 5 years. (which is NOT for lack of trying to go home! Stupid economy!) When people ask me where I’m from, I’m still programmed to say Florida. When people hear me complain that its too cold… my answer is that I’m 100% Florida girl and just DO NOT do COLD. But someone challenged me recently. *AHEM!* Woodchuck.
“You haven’t lived in Florida for 5 years now! I think you can stop claiming that.”
WHAT?!?! Someone questions my 100% Florida sunshine BLOODLINE?!? The NERVE! ha!
Well, last night, I proved exactly WHY I do NOT belong in the cold.
Its was a blustery 9 degrees in Huntsville last night as I entered Roller Derby practice. I parked, and since the parking is a bit of an incline, I didn’t even think much when I pulled the parking brake up and ran inside. Practice is about 2 hours long, so by the time I got out shortly after 10pm, the cold had really set in.
I quickly ran in my derby mini, tights, and knee socks to the car ready to get moving and get the heat crankin’ in the car. When I went to start the car and let down the ebrake, I knew I had a problem. The handle fell limply to the console, but the tension didn’t release.
OH CRAP.
Duh Erica! You’re not supposed to set the parking brake in the cold weather! It’s halfway frozen before on me, but never 40+ miles from home and at 10pm at night, in the ghetto, by myself, and in a MINI SKIRT. SAAA-WEET!
So, I try letting the car warm up. 20 minutes, no luck. I back up and go forward trying to rock it free. Nope, no dice. I yank on the handle and try to wiggle the cable loose. Try again, dummy! 40 minutes later, and the parking lot at the rink is now empty and very menacing feeling. I made some phone calls to see if anyone else had any ideas (Sorry Dennis and Dan at almost midnight your time!) Still nothing.
So, we’ve collectedly determined that the thing is probably frozen stuck where it goes under the driveshaft tunnel. “Can you crawl under the car and see if you can reach it?” Umm, Hi. Mini-skirt. 9 degree weather. Ummm lemmeee think about it…. NO! Plus, where we think its stuck would’ve been out of reach anyways without jacking the car up.
So, after a few more futile minutes of jerking around with the parking brake handle, back up and going forward, and even a few quick sideways launches trying ANYTHING to jar the damn cable, I realize that I’m going to have to limp this thing out of the ghetto and the 40 miles home at the expense of my rear rotors and brakes. Yea, smoking red rear calipers are wonderful fun! It finally let loose about 20 miles down the road…. I ended up getting home well after midnight. I haven’t even attempted to look at the rotors to see how bad they are.
And I don’t even live in that icy, crappy stuff you people call SNOW!
Hey! Don’t judge…. Years of making SANDMEN for Christmas doesn’t exactly prepare you for the winter virtues.
Drag Racing needs a bail out
Its the Dragpocalypse.
A mass exodus of sponsors and teams from the full tour and from the racing world entirely. You think it might have the attention of the stiffs in Glendora, no? Oh no, not at ALL.
Let’s see….
David Grubnic. Hillary Will. Doug Kalitta. Doug Herbert. Hot Rod Fuller. J.R.Todd. Tommy Johnson Jr. Melanie Troxel. Warren Johnson. Kurt Johnson. David Connolly. Bob Vandergriff. Angelle Sampey. Tom Hammonds. Jerry Toliver.
… all series regulars, all on the sidelines. The list continues to grow by the day.
Competition Plus did an excellent comparison piece on the situation, with Don Schumacher and Don Garlitz commenting on the current economy and its similarities to the Energy Crisis of the 70’s. Jim Oberhofer, crew chief for Kalitta Motorsports weighed in as well. Everyone is talking about it, but the NHRA continues to ignore them all… ignore the very people whom make their existence possible.
At least Wally Parks addressed the issues presented in the 70’s with an action plan. What is the current suits’ action? Raise prices for the sponsors and teams in effort to “ensure profitability to the NHRA for 2009.”
Are you KIDDING me?
For a Non-Profit company, they sure are dedicated to padding their bonuses at the expense of the core of their business model… the SHOW.
Worried about affecting ticket sale value by cutting qualifying sessions or other cost-saving measures for racers, what is going to happen when that expensive spectator ticket buys only a 8 car show? Personally, I’d rather see 3 rounds of a full field rather than an empty pit row and repetitious qualifying. Cut the events to 2 days. Helps with travel and ticket expenses both for teams and for fans.
And raising pricing for hospitality? If the pits are going to be empty anyways, why not offer MORE for less in efforts to cort sponsors into seeing that the NHRA is indeed a viable marketing and promotional tool?
As it is, the limitations and stipulations made by the NHRA have made sponsorship activation a very tedious and sometimes unworthwhile exercise. They should be opening the floodgates right now instead of snapping them shut for their own profitability. Instead, we send corporation after corporation packing with the attitude “Why Bother“.
Why should a corporation participate in the NHRA? Yes, its a very cost effective motorsports marketing tool, but with the hard-arm of the NHRA law in place, these corporations are realizing all too quickly that you get exactly what you pay for.
Exclusivity contracts that benefit only the NHRA sponsors, non-compete ordinances that effectively shut-out the free market competitiveness that could renew friendly rivalries which flourished in the hey-days of the sport. Instead of running off the U.S. Air Force or all the energy brands, how much more attention could they bring to the sport by seeing the drag racing battle of the brands take place? Remember the beer rivalries? Miller Lite vs. Budweiser. What about Army vs. Air Force vs. Navy? Or Rockstar vs. Sobe vs. RedBull vs. (insert booming energy drink company here)?
Even their superhero idols at NASCAR are working with their teams and the sponsors to ensure the survival of their sport. But NHRA brass continue to keep their heads planted firmly in the shifting sand. Why not search for a more relevant business model? Why not step OUTSIDE the box for a minute?
Instead look at other ideas, such as the American Drag Racing League, and LEARN something. ADRL tickets are GIVEN away. Series sponsors see a huge captive market, and are given ample opportunities to promote and use their motorsport tool to generate their results. They aren’t slapped with fees and limitations…. The ADRL also listens to the needs of its racers. Racers also are not victim to fees and limitations and costly rule changes with class mandated components. It encourages aftermarket companies to compete for its racers business, and rewards participants with Official Sponsor rights that do not mandate usage, but REWARD it.
No, the NHRA cannot give away tickets. But they can cut the prices to increase the VOLUME. Or they can look outside the box to give value to fans. A giveaway: Buy 2 get one free? The seats would be empty without it, why not at least TRY?? Contests to engage fans in the season to win tickets would be great as well.
There are too many options that would bring at least some ounce of relief to the current situation. Way too many for Glendora to be sitting idle. Perhaps Garlitz is right, perhaps this too shall pass, but at what cost to our sport?
Its not something any of us should take lightly. After all, there are no bail outs in drag racing.
Holiday HO-HO-HO Giveaway Winners
Okay, I’m a little behind on the blog-front. Way to start 2009!
But here’s a quick announcement for the winners of the Horsepower & Heels Holiday HO-HO-HO Giveaway. (Winners chosen by Random.org)
Drum Roll Please…….
- Shelley
- Carolyn
- Devilish Southern Belle
Please drop me an email at press [at] horsepowerandheels [dot] com with your mailing address and t-shirt size, and I’ll get these out to you this week!
Thanks to everyone who shared their holiday stories!
Keep a look out for more Giveaways here on Horsepower & Heels.
In fact, you can Subscribe to HORSEPOWER & HEELS by Email or via RSS and never miss a post!
Congrats to the Winners!
Goodbye 2008
Its that time again… another year over, a new one just begun.
2008 wasn’t very exciting for me personally or Horsepower & Heels, but it could have been way worse, and for that I’m thankful.
LOWS
- The Big “C”— This is probably the hardest and scariest thing I’ve ever had to go through. You learn who in your life you can count on, and you learn what people around you and what YOU are about when you go through something like this. On the HIGH SIDE: Thankfully, after several stressful months and many shed tears, I’ve reached a stage that everything is at peace. No new developments, and that is great news!
- Losing Scott Kalitta— It seems that every year is plagued with the loss of one of my favorite drivers. This year, after spending the Gator Nationals in the Kalitta pits, and watching his passionate warm-up of the funny car, we had to say goodbye to Scott Kalitta in Englishtown’s fatal accident.
- Losing Steve Engel— Even harder when you lose a fellow Pro Mod driver.
HIGHS
- My First TV Segment— My first TV feature with Hispanics Today TV Show. It was shot in late 2007, but didn’t air until early 2008. I learned a lot about TV production and the time it takes with this segment.
- Made. Progress. on. Getting. The. Racecar. Done.– Its been a long, long road, but the car has finally made it into the final stages.
- Watch ladies in racing make serious strides– Celebrating the success of Danica’s First Win and Ashley Force’s First Win
- Participating in the Piensa Mas Alla fundraiser for the Palomita Education Fund– I am proud of my hispanic heritage, and very proud that I could help out with this cause. Advancement opportunities for Hispanics who want to think beyond the sociological borders is very important to me.
- I Became a Mom Again— No, not like THAT. To my chihuahua baby, Blanca! The single most spoiled chihuahua in existance I think!
- Attended my 10 Year HS Reunion— And was proud to be there, and not at all uncomfortable with what I’ve become in 10 years.
- Joining up with the Dixie Derby Girls— I’m still in Fresh Meat training and have a TON to learn, but I really, really enjoy derby and the friends I am making.
I’m excited for 2009 and looking forward to a FINALLY tour with the racecar. Here’s to the memories of 2008 and a kick ass 2009!
‘Tis the season for GIVEAWAYS!
To help get into the Holiday Gift Giving mood, here’s a little Horsepower & Heels sharing in the form of an online giveaway!
Horsepower & Heels
Holiday Ho-Ho-Ho Giveaway
(Say that 3 times fast!)
We’re giving away a special Horsepower & Heels Gift Basket to 3 lucky winners!
How to Enter:
- Comment on this post with your favorite holiday car memory (1 entry)
- Post about the Giveaway on your own blog and send me a link. (2 additional entries)
- Refer your readers to comment and mention your name (1 additional entry per referral)
What You Win:
3 different winners will receive a Horsepower & Heels Holiday Ho-Ho-Ho Gift Basket.
Deadline to Enter: All entries must be received by December 28th, 2008 11:59PM. Winners will be selected at random based on valid entries received by the deadline.
Good Luck!
All I want for Christmas
Dearest Santa,
I’ve been a very, very good girl this year. I’ve been very patient while not racing, I haven’t complained very much through all the tough times, and I’ve gone out of my way to help elves in distress. I know that its been a tough year for us all, and I’m sure that’s probably also true of the North Pole. But I’m only asking for a few things this Christmas…. and I’ve even included links since I’m sure you’re not as Racing Saavy as my favorite reindeer Blitzen.
- A 28′ Enclosed Trailer— all aluminum, so the reindeer don’t have any problems pulling it, and so that my little F250 isn’t sucking down unbelieveable amounts of diesel on the roads this season.
- A sponsor for my Top Fuel Team. I’d really, really like to see my dream of running Top Fuel become reality. I know its a big thing to ask, but you’d be making the whole team happy! Consider it several birds, one stone.
- Stainless Steel Braided Hose and AN Fittings to finish off the fuel system and cooling system!
- A Fire Supression System for the racecar to keep me safe next season!
- My very own Drag Racing Christmas Tree to practice on!
Thanks Santa! And be careful out there! If you need a tune-up to the ole sleigh, let me know!