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.

Alexis DeJoria gets a taste of a new speed…Mach 2

August 13, 2012 // by Horsepower & Heels

Remember back a few years ago, when I told you all about my *real* passion as a kid? Well it appears I have found my kindred spirit in the NHRA world…. none other than Patron Funny Car pilot, Alexis DeJoria.

I keep in contact with Alexis and her team regularly for my Women In Motorsports column over on Examiner.com, but this week’s email from the team included something WAY out of the ordinary (if you can ever really call 300mph nitro-burning funny cars ordinary).

Alexis had the chance to jump on board an F-16 fighter jet with the USAF Thunderbolts this week, shortly after leaving the Seattle race. Apparently, it was also HER lifelong dream to have become a fighter pilot, but after something altered her course, she too would take to the land version of piloting a high-horsepower machine by drag racing. Sound familiar? I swear, I think I found my new BFF.

As if I didn’t already have mad respect for Alexis, what with piloting an 8,000HP nitro-burning funny car to 300mph in less than 4 seconds and all, but NOW I can also add that she’s one of the only gals I know that have not just been SUPERSONIC, but MACH 2 no less. That’s twice as fast as the speed of sound folks. And if I thought that a 3G launch was pretty intense? Oh no, Ms. DeJoria has experienced all the intensity of an 8.4G maneuver!

I. AM. SO. UNBELIEVABLY. JEALOUS.

Alexis also spent about 25 minutes of her hour-long experience commanding the controls the F-16 herself. As hard as it is to imagine getting to be inside that thing for a 0-20,000 ft take-off in less than 5 seconds, or speeding along in excess of 600mph, or the inversions, verticals, loops, split S’, low altitude flying, and barrel rolls that come with these amazing machines, I could not FATHOM being able to move her around the skies myself.

So to Alexis…. I’ll be your wingman anytime!

Force and Enders share Seattle podium

August 6, 2012 // by Horsepower & Heels

Wow! What a weekend for the ladies in NHRA!

Enders and Force share the podium — Erica Enders and Courtney Force hoist their Wallys in the air after both scoring wins in Seattle.

Courtney Force landed her first NHRA Funny Car victory, a feat after climbing back from the #14 position at the bottom of the ladder. This all coming in her rookie Funny Car season, in just her 15th start. She’s definitely proving to be quite a Force to be dealt with (pun cheesily intended).

Force and Enders share Seattle podium

But for the first time in history, she would be joined by another gal on the PRO podium, with Erica Enders also landing her second career win in Pro Stock. Erica’s win came just 3 races after her elusive first win in Chicago, but what makes it even more poetic to me, is that this win comes just one week after the crazy controversy between her and Greg Anderson in Sonoma.

The internet has been on FIRE with the backlash against Greg after he publicly declared Erica Enders “unprofessional” on his ESPN2 interview following the round in Sonoma. Not only was he asked by his sponsor Summit Racing to apologize to Enders and her crew, the ill-karma he wished upon her came back to bite him. In what can only be the most fitting form of proper karma dispatch, it was Enders who put Anderson on the trailer early in the race en route to her second career win.

Enders was quite the gracious winner. The rest of us however, had a field day with that one.

Apparently, it didn’t stop with the fans either. Matt Hagan made a remark during his final round interview that he didn’t mind losing to a woman. John Force also was quoted saying how capable and talent the women of our sport are, with a special mention to daughter Courtney, Erica and Shirley Muldowney.

Its sad that there are people out there who still view women as inferior competitors. Motorsports being the great equalizer- the cars don’t know gender- its really disappointing to know the amount of sexism that still lingers.

Kudos to the ladies for such a great weekend of racing!

Photo: NHRA

Getting started in racing

August 3, 2012 // by Horsepower & Heels

There are a lot of different stories out there about how each of us find our way to the world of motorsports.

John Force's Racing family resulted in a future generation of racers — John Force’s racing family lifestyle resulted in a future generation of racers with daughters Ashley, Brittany and Courtney.

Some of us are born into the lifestyle, with parents who are already actively involved in the sport and bring those playpens into the pits for race weekends. For those lucky children, racing is just a part of who they are, it’s the life they’ve always known. Ashley, Brittany, and Courtney Force grew up with their famous NHRA Funny Car father, traveling the country one race weekend at a time. When each came of age, it was no surprise that they would all follow in their father’s footsteps with racing careers of their own.

Racing families such as the Forces are common in motorsports. The lifestyle continues on for generation after generation of racers, crew members and team owners.

For others, they come across it later in life. Maybe its a friend, or another relative. Some discovered racing because of mainstream tv or movies. Still others come across it on their own terms.

Getting Started in Racing | What now?

Erica Ortiz's first car — My first car, a 1990 Ford Mustang GT

Me personally, I had no family that was into racing. My parents’ idea of automotive enthusiasm was being religious about their oil changes and keeping it cleaned every Sunday. They had no idea where their little girl picked up an interest in all things fast and shiny. While most girls liked dolls and makeup, I was fascinated by RC cars and Matchbox cars.

When I turned 18 and it was time for a car of my own, I purchased my first Mustang. It was a 1990 GT, and along with some newly discovered gear head friends, I started pouring into magazines and the internet trying to find out how to make it faster. I joined message boards and would ask questions, and just submerged myself into learning.

On those message boards and through even more recently acquired gear-head friends, I learned that the local track had what was called an open Test & Tune night. Anyone could pay $20, sign a waiver, and take a trip down the 1/4 mile. My group and I decided to go, and after asking people a million questions and watching a few hours worth, I decided to pull up and give it a try.

That first pass (which if I looked around, I have that first timeslip saved somewhere) was a break-neck 15.4 @93 mph. But it was enough to get me hooked.

Once I started upgrading the GT with some mods, I became a regular at a local speedshop called Lugo Performance. I befriended the owner, and would travel to watch their class races around the South. There, I learned the behind-the-scenes of a racing team, and took lots of notes until I ended up working there for several years myself and launching my own career.

Regardless of how it starts, most of us agree that once we’ve discovered it and began our own journey, its hard to imagine life without it.

LADIES TELL US YOUR STORY! When did you know that you wanted to race and how did you get started?

Enders/Anderson controversy

July 30, 2012 // by Horsepower & Heels

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?

Helping Dan Parker

May 2, 2012 // by Horsepower & Heels

This 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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected] (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.

Setting the wheels back in motion

January 17, 2012 // by Horsepower & Heels

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~!

Racing support to our Military

November 9, 2011 // by Horsepower & Heels

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

October 17, 2011 // by Horsepower & Heels

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!

Back in the Automotive Industry

October 3, 2011 // by Horsepower & Heels

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

Up 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’.

Have helmet, will travel

September 29, 2011 // by Horsepower & Heels

As 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!