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Heel Clicks - Fast News from around the web on Women in Motorsports

Heel Clicks highlights fun photos, videos, memes and other news we've spotted from around the net on Women in Automotive, Racing, and Motorsports. Got something neat to share? Send us a tip!

Brittany Force pre-season NHRA interview

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Drag Racing Top Fuel driver, Brittany Force, talks about the big changes made to her Monster Energy team over the off-season during this NHRA interview from the recent Nitro Spring Training test sessions being held at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, AZ.

Brittany Force pre-season: anticipation runs high

The addition of legendary championship-winning crew chief Alan Johnson to the team as technical advisor has made headlines during the past few weeks.

Will Brittany Force see her first Top Fuel win this season?

Comment below with your thoughts of when her elusive first win will come!

Stacy McGlory Driver of Champney Card FC

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Stacy McGlory in the seatShe began in the world of drag racing as a child, driving in a Junior Dragster at age 11. But Stacy McGlory wouldn’t stop there. As she turned 18, Stacy began racing a Dragster in the Super Pro category. One day, as Stacy had a run in with the Champney Card Funny Car at New England Dragway, along with her father, Don McGlory and friend/crew chief, Frank Freitas. There after, Stacy received the chance to become a Member of Champney Card crew. She enjoyed every minute of it, when it came time years later, Stacy was given the opportunity to drive a funny car!

As every driver knows, there is always the desire to go faster. I was very fortunate to become part of such an amazing team, I have always loved everything about the track and racing, its safe to say it is my home away from home.”

Stacy McGlory heats up the slicksStacy McGlory

Recently, Stacy McGlory, who is now 23, graduated from Tufts University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. When Stacy isn’t going full speeds down the track, she takes on the roll of an Engineer in North Haven, CT. She also participates with the Girl Scouts STEM Program to encourage more young girls to get involved with careers in math and science.

The majority of people are extremely positive about me pursing my dream; however, it is clear that Motorsports are still a male dominated sport. Plenty of people do not believe that I am the driver of the car or assume the car is substantially slower. I am fortunate that in my division, I have the full support of the track and Dana Hard who runs the East Coast Pro Comp series.”

Stacy McGlory in the cockpit

Running in the East Coast Pro Comp Series in the Champney Card Alcohol Funny Car, Stacy McGlory competes in the 6.20 index racing class. Stacy states, “It is a truly amazing class because you are able to see dragsters line up against funny cars and altereds.” As Stacy prepared herself for the past year in the Champney Card Funny car, she spent about half of the season getting her license. Once completed, she was able to qualify for every race and was able to accomplish her first goal by being qualified 1st in the final race of the season. Stacy was able to finish 5th out of the 15 drivers, despite missing the first of the season.

As every driver knows, there is always the desire to go faster, I never imaged being able to race a funny car so for me this truly is a dream come true. That being said, the Champney Card funny car is hoping to start racing in more divisional’s this season and one day compete for the NHRA Alcohol Funny Car championship title.”

With amazing support from family, friends, fans, and her team. Stacy is happy to be racing! She says, “I wouldn’t be able to do this without them. I have to thank Sassy Engines, especially John Card who built and does all the maintenance work on the car. And to the owner Dennis Champney!”

You can learn more about Stacy, by clicking the following links. 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stacy.mcglory/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Stacy-McGlory-153186548363900/

 

Valerie Clements hopes for 2016 Win

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Valerie Clements NMRA Racer - RenegadeLeaving 2015 behind and getting close to a new season, Valerie Clements takes on her 2005 and 2014 Mustangs, both entered in the NMRA & Renegade classes. As she becomes familiarized with tuning her own cars, Valerie has high hopes in winning a Renegade class for 2016. With there being few women in her class, she was asked how men in her class treated her on and off the track. Valerie says, “It’s almost like having a lot of big brothers around! It’s really cool how much you can learn just by going around and talking to the people in your class.” Valerie is ready, willing and focused to bring home that win!

I’m 22 years old, I have a family that loves constantly thinking about and doing racing.”

Valerie Clements Meets Drag Racing

Finding her love for drag racing at such a young age, Valerie can’t recall her first time at the race track but says it’s probably because she was around a year old. She remembers times from her JR Dragster days when her father and uncle would take their Mach 1 to Alanta Dragway, attending on Saturdays for the open trailer bracket race event. Valerie says she would help work on the car before each round.

Valarie Clements wins in Renegade

I knew I wanted to race when I would be on the starting line with my mom and dad while my brother made run in his JR Dragster.”

Valerie took on her brothers JR Dragster at just 8 years old. When he received a new one, the tradition continued on as he would eventually grow out of the JR Dragster. Valerie competed in the JR dragster program until she was 18 years-old. Her father purchased a 2005 Mustang when she turned 17 from the Sutton Ford in Chicago, which was the NMRA Renegade championship car in 2008 with Bob Cook as the driver.

I couldn’t wait to get in the car and learn about the world of fast door cars. It was a little intimidating at first, I wont lie. But how could it not be intimidating when there are a bunch of switches and buttons you’re not used to and want everything to go perfectly fine.”

Valarie Clements NMRA Renegade racer

 Accomplishments

  • NMRA 2012 Rookie of the Year
  • NMRA 2013 Renegade Event Winner at Maryland International Raceway
  • NMRA 2015 Ambassador of the Year

Family Support

When it comes to Drag Racing, it’s like one big family. Everyone is competitive but by the end of the day we are all there for each other. Valerie not only gets the support she needs from the fellow racers, but from her family too. Having her father and brother do everything from putting the engines together, to fabricating the intercooler systems, to driving the trucks and trailers to the racetracks. “You name it they’ve done it. They have even swapped out my motor, twice might I add, overnight for me after blowing an engine.” Valerie says.

Valarie Clements

A two car team takes a lot!! Sometimes my cousins, uncle, and aunt get to make it to our races. That’s where the real fun is. We’re all together, working in harmony on these cars and it makes it that much more satisfying when one of us ends up in the winner’s circle or makes a good hit.”

Catch up with Valerie Clements on her Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/valerieclementsracing/

Shelby Ebert, Pro Eliminator Boat Racer

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Shelby Ebert, Pro Drag Boat RacerTwenty year old Shelby Ebert, lives in Manhattan Kansas. Attending in her Junior year at Kansas State University, majoring in Business. Recently, Shelby has started a marketing program, Marketing at Full Speed with Anna Marie in hopes of attracting more sponsors. Her parents own a machine shop E&R Machine, Inc. which is the one reason Shelby has been given the opportunity to race. Besides school, her life is all about racing. 

Racing has basically been my entire life since I was very young. My dad has been racing for over 25 years and I went to my first race when I was only a few months old. When I was only 2 years old, I chased after a boat that we were selling as the new owner took it out of our driveway screaming “bring me my boat back!” That’s when my parents knew I was hooked.”

Shelby Ebert | Passion with Racing

Everyone has something they look forward too, especially at such a young age. At age 14, Shelby played sports in High School and began racing. She did them both for a while, but there came a time for her to choose whether to work on her athletic ability or continue to do what she was most passionate about, and that was racing. Shelby pretty much grew up at the track. She knew in her heart this is where she wanted to be. As she continued on, Shelby started racing a Jetski for three years in a Personal Watercraft 2 class.

Shelby Ebert on the water in drag boat racingMy parents then bought me the MPH Hydro and I have been racing that for 4 years now. This past summer, we bought a Pro Modified boat that I will be moving into next year. This means that I will be a professional driver, and the only woman professional driver who will be running the whole National Series for the Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series.”

Shelby Ebert ready for a runWhen asked by many people, “What hobbies do you have, besides racing?” Shelby just replies “I don’t have an answer, because my whole life revolves around racing. We race from April to November and during the winter months, we are constantly working on our boats to get them ready for the next season.”

My goal for the 2016 season is to do my best, and win one race. If things go even better than that, then I will be absolutely ecstatic. I have very high hopes for 2016 because my team and I are super excited to learn about this new boat and motor, and I have so much faith that my guys will give me something great to race every single weekend. My long term goal is to race Top Fuel Hydro someday. Top Fuel Hydro is the fastest class in drag boat racing and they run about 3.5 seconds in 1000 feet at about 250+ mph. I think that racing in that class would be the most extreme adrenaline rush that I could ever experience.”

As many women coming into motorsports know, there are many challenges in this sport. Tough decisions to be made, as anyone would have too. But being a woman in a man’s world is another thing. “At the beginning, I received a lot of back lash. At one race, I had many competitors try to get me disqualified in my very first year in my boat.” Shelby says. She believes that most of my competitors look at her differently, whether it’s good or bad, because she is female and so young. Now that she has achieved quite a bit of success, most people do respect her. Shelby believes that she is held at a higher standard because she is one of the only girls in drag boat racing. She says, “I do believe that people judge me more and that I am watched in everything I do on and off the track.”

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I wish that they would just look at me as a competitor instead of a 20 year old girl. Some people believe that I have gotten everything handed to me or that I’ve just gotten lucky. I hope that I have proved most doubters wrong because I have worked extremely hard for where I am and I continue to work hard every day to strengthen my career.”

 Accomplishments

  • Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series Personal Watercraft 2 Championship in 2010
  • Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series Division 2 Top Eliminator Runner-Up Championship
  • Southern Drag Boat Racing Series Top Eliminator Runner-Up Championship
  • Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series Division 2 Pro Eliminator Championship
  • Southern Drag Boat Association Pro Eliminator Championship
  • Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series Division 2 Pro Eliminator Championship- 2015
  • Southern Drag Boat Association Pro Eliminator Championship – 2015

These past three years, I have also been nominated for the Southern Drag Boat Association ET Driver of the Year Award and last year, I received the prestigious Jimmy Tucker Memorial Award.”

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Making A Difference

Taking on such a roll to help young girls out by starting a campaign on her Facebook page, “Fill My Boat with Barbies.” Shelby felt by collecting these barbies, she would donate them to the Barbie Care and Share to help young girl get the opportunity to experience a happy Christmas, Birthday, and other special occasions. Shelby has also been involved with the Junior Drag Boat Racing League as a mentor. She’s helped young kids learn how to drive a boat and have driven with them while they race competitively against other young kids. This means a lot to Shelby. She stated, “it is important that the sport of drag boat racing doesn’t die with my elders.”

Shelby win young fans

We need to get kids involved so our sport continues to grow and prosper. My goal is to get people to follow their dreams, because if I would’ve listened to the people who told me I couldn’t make this happen, I wouldn’t be where I am today. No matter how big your dream seems, it is possible, and that’s what I want people to remember.”

Receiving Support From Family & Friends

Shelby is following the footsteps of her father, whom she has idolized since she was a little girl. She is creating lasting memories with her dad, while he puts his own boat on hold for her career.    It surprised her because she knew how much this sport had meant to him. “It’s funny because he’s more worried about me being successful than himself and I’m more worried about him being successful than myself.” Shelby says. As she continues to become successful, her parents are very supportive of Shelby’s dreams, along with the rest of her family and crew chiefs. 

I am extremely lucky that I have been blessed with people in my life that they’re dream is to see my dreams come true. As for my friends go, they have been supportive since day one. They think it’s pretty cool that they have a professional drag boat racer as a friend, and some of them come to the races when they can. I’ve also made many friends through racing, and they come and cheer for me all the time.”

Sponsors
  • Lucas Oil
  • E&R Machine, Inc.
  • Advanced Engine Machine

http://shelbyebertracing.com

Wedding for Bia Figueiredo

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Special news for Brazilian Stock Car/ Former Indycar racer Ana Beatriz “Bia” Figueiredo, who walked down the aisle amidst family and friends on Saturday, December 19, 2015.

Wedding for Bia Figueiredo

Bia Figueiredo, a São Paulo native, married Fabio Casaram in a beautiful ceremony.   She posted a special message to her new husband, family, friends and fans on Facebook:

Ontem foi um dia muito especial. Rever a família completa e celebrar uma relação de muito amor e respeito. Se sou o que…

Posted by Bia Figueiredo on Sunday, December 20, 2015

Women of Racing PRI 2015 Photos – Day 2

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The Women of Racing PRI 2015 march continues on Day 2 of the Performance Racing Industry tradeshow.

All of our favorite female drivers, crew and professionals are working hard to network with new connections, catch up with old friends, and thank their 2015 partners.

Check out what they’ve been sharing on their social media platforms!

Missed Day 1?  Check out our Ladies of Racing PRI 2015 Photo Gallery

Have photos you’d like to share?   Tag us on Facebook and Twitter #horsepowerandheels  [Source: Facebook/Twitter]

Women of Racing PRI 2015 Day 2 Photo Gallery

Ladies of Racing PRI 2015 PHOTOS

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It’s time for the 2015 Performance Racing Industry tradeshow, and the women of motorsports are out working the business side of racing, networking with contacts, and showing support for their sponsors.

Check out these cool social shares of photos from the ladies of racing working the show floor at PRI 2015!  

This Gallery is from Day 1…. stay tuned tomorrow for highlights from Day 2!

[SOURCE:  Facebook/Twitter]

Ladies of Racing PRI 2015 Photos – Day 1 Gallery-

NMRA Bridgett Davis, Looking Forward to 2016

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bridgettNMRA Driver, Bridgett Davis has many goals in mind when it comes to Drag Racing. Taking on her 2013 GT Mustang in the Roush Performance Super Stang class, she has high hopes to making it to the top or at least take on the top five entering into the 2016 season. After Bridgett’s finances allowed her to pursue her love for Drag Racing, she would hit every track in a hundred mile radius whenever there was a Test and Tune. A friend suggested to her in 2014 that she should take on her first competitive competition for the Muscle Mustang and Fast Fords all female shoot out class of the NMRA.

I would follow this up with competition in local events and would finish out 2014 with a 2nd place finish in the 14 second class of True Street.Upon my completion of the the 2014 season I made the decision that I would make my rookie season appearance in the 2015 NMRA class of Super Stang.”

With an index based format, she felt this class would serve as a good next step in her evolution. As her Mustang serves as her daily driver, Bridgett needed to enter in a street legal class. Finishing out in an 18th place point finish out of a 41 driver roster for the year, she felt good about her overall first season.

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Fast cars always honestly attracted me. Something about them. The power, the sound, the speed. Growing up in Indianapolis, Indiana from an early age most weekends were spent cruising, at the local car show, or at the track. I always knew someday I would take my passion for racing from the spectator perspective to behind the wheel.”

Bridgett Davis Accomplishments

2nd place finish in 14 second class of 2014 NMRA Bowling Green Kentucky

2015 NMRA/ Super Stang 18th place finish out of a 41 driver roster

Personal Magazine Article and Radio Appearances:

  • 2013 December Issue of AFX Magazine
  • 2014 Win A New Mustang Book Publication
  • 2015 March Issue of Mustang Driver
  • 2015 February Speed Scene Live Radio
  • 2015 June Heals On Wheels Radio Appearance

I also hope to begin to venture into oval track racing as well as a run in the upcoming 2016 Great America Road Rally.” 

 Bridgett4Being A Woman Of Motorsports

Venturing her first time into racing, Bridgett had felt very intimidated by the other woman. She never realized how many woman were into Motorsports. As she befriended Stacy Lynn Butler, “Stacy took me under her wing and began to show me the ropes. She was happy to help and without her I could have not made it through that first pass. She was patient and enjoyed helping me.” Bridgett said.

I think staying humble and approachable is so important. We can all learn from each other and help each other  up the ladder. Success in my mind is determined by how many you helped up the ladder. This is true measurement of personal success. If I have something to share with other females that can help them in their journey as others may have helped you, you should always share the wealth. Through TAG the online forum I assist in running, I am able to connect with many women via conversations and posts. We provide a forum in which women are able to come together, ask questions and share experiences.

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The great thing about cars is there are so many aspects you can take an interest in. With the varies of forums and sites Bridgett’s been involved in or worked for. Taking the opportunity now to pay a little of that back to other women, whether they have a question or need some advice. Bridgett says, “I try to be there to assist in whatever way I can. If I cannot help them I make sure I direct them to someone who can. I don’t seek to be a role model just a friend to other girls in the scene.” While continuing on Bridgett’s love for Drag Racing, she also has great support from her loving family and friends.

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Never come into anything with an attitude or thinking you know everything.  As the newbie it is important to stay humble and know you are the student. The more information you have the more skilled you become with each pass. Everyone has an experience or story to tell you can learn from.”

Fellow Sponsors
SilverHorse Racing –www.silverhorseracing.com
JMS Chips– www.jmschips.com 
Ratemyridez – www.ratemyridez.com