Women in Racing News - Horsepower & Heels

News about female racers, women in the pits and other news stories from the motorsports and automotive world.

Harli White’s 2016 season schedule

February 10, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Ambitious is an understatement when describing sprint Car racer Harli White’s 2016 season schedule. She has opted not to focus on racing for points in any specific series, but instead has packed her schedule with more than 40 winged sprint car races and more than a half-dozen non-wing sprint car races for her tentative 2016 season schedule.

Harli White has also planned 12 midget racing appearances, including the season-opening weekend March 4-5 at Red River Speedway in Wichita Falls, Texas, for the Red River Roundup with POWRi Lucas Oil West Midget Series.

I hate points racing,” she said. “I picked my schedule racing wherever, whenever. I’m really excited about it. I looked and saw where the big races were and picked those.”

In addition to the opening doubleheader of the season next month, White will embark upon her first Indiana Midget Week with the Honda USAC National Midget Series May 31 through June 5

I’m really excited about racing the midget,” she said. “We’ll have a couple of shows at some tracks I’ve run a sprint car at so that will be fun.”

White’s first winged sprint car event will be the rescheduled Short Track Nationals at I-30 Speedway in Little Rock, Ark.,March 10-12 with the GoMuddy.com National Sprint League 360 Sprint Car Series.

She plans to compete in all but one of the GoMuddy.com NSL 360 events and will tackle Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour races in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Washington and Iowa.

“We have a lot of multi-day shows on the schedule so it’ll be a really exciting year,” she said. “Also in April I have my wedding week so we’ll take that weekend off.”

Additionally, White is pleased to announce several sponsors are on board for the 2016 season. The Mower Shop and The Body Works are Chili Bowl partners that extended sponsorships and White is also excited to welcome Sea Foam to the team.

“I’m so grateful for all of our partners for their support,” she said. “We are pushing ourselves hard this year and are able to do so thanks to the amazing fans and sponsors.”

White’s apparel is currently being finalized. She plans on having a variety of t-shirt designs with sizes ranging from youth small to adult 4XL in many colors for sale at her race trailer throughout the season.

Harli White 2016 Season Schedule

Mar 4-5	Red River Roundup Red River Speedway – Wichita Falls, TX
Mar 10-12	28th Annual Short Track Nationals I-30 Speedway – Little Rock, AR
Mar 17	Lucas Oil ASCS National Sprint Car Tour Heart O’ Texas Speedway – Waco, TX
Mar 18-19	43rd Annual Spring Nationals Lucas Oil ASCS National Sprint Car Tour Devil’s Bowl Speedway – Mesquite, TX
Mar 25-26	Park City Cup / Air Capital Shootout 81 Speedway – Park City, KS
Apr 2	NSL National 360 Sprint Cars Randolph County Raceway – Moberly, MO
Apr 30	ASCS Rock N Roll 50 Riverside International Speedway – West Memphis, AR
May 6	POWRi West Midget Series Valley Speedway – Grain Valley, MO
May 7	5th Annual Open Wheel Showdown Lucas Oil Speedway – Wheatland, MO
May 13-14	Texas World Dirt Track Championship Texas Motor Speedway – Fort Worth, TX
May 20	POWRi West Midget Series Boyd Raceway – Boyd, TX
May 21	POWRi West Midget Series Abilene Speedway – Abilene, TX
May 31	Midget Week – USAC National Midgets Montpelier Motor Speedway – Montpelier, IN
Jun 1	Midget Week – USAC National Midgets Gas City I-69 Speedway – Gas City, IN
Jun 2	Midget Week – USAC National Midgets Lincoln Park Speedway – Putnamville, IN
Jun 3	Midget Week – USAC National Midgets Bloomington Speedway – Bloomington, IN
Jun 4	Midget Week – USAC National Midgets Lawrenceburg Speedway – Lawrenceburg, IN
Jun 5	Midget Week – USAC National Midgets Kokomo Speedway – Kokomo, IN
Jun 11	Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour Route 66 Motor Speedway – Amarillo, TX
Jun 14	SPEED WEEK 43rd Annual Summer Nationals Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint National Tour Devil’s Bowl Speedway – Mesquite, TX
Jun 15	ASCS Sizzlin Summer Speedweek Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint National Tour Lawton Speedway – Lawton, OK
Jun 16	ASCS Sizzlin Summer Speedweek Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint National Tour Creek County Speedway – Sapulpa, OK
Jun 17	ASCS Sizzlin Summer Speedweek Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint National Tour Missouri State Fair Speedway – Sedalia, MO
Jun 18	ASCS Bob Westphal Memorial Cup Sizzlin’ Speedweek Finale Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint National Tour Lucas Oil Speedway – Wheatland, MO
Jun 23-25	45th Annual Jim Rapier Memorial Dirt Cup Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint National Tour Skagit Speedway – Alger, WA
Jul 1-2	Fred Brownfield Classic Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint National Tour Grays Harbor Raceway – Elma, WA
Jul 23	NSL National 360 Sprint Cars Knoxville Raceway – Knoxville, IA
Aug 4-6	26th Annual Arnold Motor Supply 360 Knoxville Nationals Knoxville Raceway – Knoxville, IA
Aug 17	POWRi West Midget Series Lawton Speedway – Lawton, OK
Aug 18	POWRi West Midget Series Creek County Speedway – Sapulpa, OK
Aug 19	POWRi West Midget Series 81 Speedway – Park City, KS
Aug 20	POWRi West Midget Series Dodge City Raceway Park – Dodge City, KS
Sep 2-4	Jackson Sprint Car Nationals Jackson Motorplex – Jackson, MN
Sep 9-10	NSL National 360 Sprint Cars Billings Motorsports Park – Billings, MT
Sep 22-24	6th Annual ASCS Jesse Hockett/Daniel McMillin Memorial Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint National Tour Lucas Oil Speedway – Wheatland, MO
Oct 14-15	43rd Annual Winter Nationals Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint National Tour Devil’s Bowl Speedway – Mesquite, TX
Nov 2-5, 2016	29th Annual Short Track Nationals I-30 Speedway – Little Rock, AR
Nov 11-12	NSL National 360 Sprint Cars Cocopah Speedway – Somerton, AZ

We can’t wait to see how Harli White fairs on this tough 2016 season schedule! Best of luck!

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Memorable weekend for Michele Abbate

February 8, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

A memorable weekend for SCCA racer Michele Abbate, who claimed two podium finishes in STU, recognized as the Runner-Up for the 2015 STU Points Championship, and awarded the prestigious 2015 Lindley Bothwell Cal Club Driver of the Year Award during the annual awards banquet with her peers.

SCCA US Majors Western Conference Season Opener

Michele Abbate would begin her 2016 SCCA US Majors Tour season at Auto Club Speedway for the the Cal Club hosted western conference event. The opener would mark the debut of her new Edelbrock E-Force Supercharged GRR Racing FRS. After qualifying second on Saturday morning in the STU field with the lap time of a 1:52.394, Abbate would be running a full grid with the SCCA GT cars and American Sedans when the green flag dropped for the race. The 25-minute race provided great excitement as Michele maintained her consistency in lap times and crossed the finish line with her first victory of 2016 in the STU class.

Watch the SCCA winner’s interview with Abbate: http://www.scca.com/videos/2025748

SoPac/Cal Club Annual Awards Banquet

After taking her first win of 2016, Michele and her GRR Racing team attended the annual awards banquet for the SoPac/Cal Club. The evening banquet featured drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and great company. During the awards ceremony, Abbate was recognized for her 2^nd Place Overall STU Championship Trophy for the 2015 season.

The So Pac/Cal Club racing division offers a great place for us to race in additional to our other events of the year,” said Michele. “I would recommend the series to all club racer’s out there, it is always a great time!”.

The final, and most prestigious award of the night came at the end of the banquet ceremony, where the 2015 Lindley Bothwell Cal Club Driver of the Year Award is announced. The honor is presented to the driver who shows outstanding sportsmanship, exemplary improvement, supports the Club, and shows potential as a Professional Driver with the highest of standings. Selected by a committee of Cal Club members from criteria of present achievement plus future promise, the selection decision is always a tough one to narrow down to one honoree. After a fantastic introduction of Michele’s history with racing, Michele Abbate was announced as the 2015 recipient of the Lindley Bothwell Cal Club Driver of the Year Award! This honor marks the first time a female has earned the distinction in the 66-year Cal Club history.

It was such an absolutely pleasant surprise”, said Abbate, “What a prestigious award to be presented with! I am so grateful for the opportunities I have earned and this is truly an honor to accept”.

Rain-soaked podium on Sunday

Sunday rain-soaked Auto Club race puts Michele Abbate 2nd place on the podium — Photo: Ever Larsson

After an evening filled with celebration, Sunday’s weather rained on the parade for Michele Abbate and her GRR Racing team. Rain downpoured on the Auto Club Speedway all morning, and did not let up when the field took the green. Visibility issues plagued Abbate from the start of the race, something they tried to prepare for in anticipation before the start. Crew members Anthony and Jason mounted a spare Mishimoto fan to the dash in attempt to prevent Michele’s windshield from fogging up. They even placed a stick in the car with a rag fastened to the end of it to allow Abbate to manually clear the condensation as a last resort.

I’ve never seen so much rain pouring down at Auto Club Speedway. We knew it might come, so we were fully equipped with our Hoosier H2O tires, mounted and ready to go”, Crew Chief Anthony Philleo stated.

Unfortunately, their attempts were unsuccessful at managing the visibility issues, and Michele contended with fog as best she could during the race. Despite the challenges, she held a strong lead ahead of the third place position, and when she heard something amiss on the exhaust system of her GRR Racing FRS, she dialed back her pace to ensure a clean finish. Michele maintained her position to the finish, earning another spot on the podium with a second place finish in the STU field.

The team will focus on their next race February 20-21 at Willow Springs Raceway for the 3^rd and 4^th Rounds of the SCCA US Majors Tour Western Conference Division.

100th race for Alexis DeJoria

February 8, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

NHRA Funny Car driver Alexis DeJoria will be breaking into the triple digits this weekend at the 56th annual Circle K NHRA WinterNationals in Pomona, California. The event will mark her 100th race in NHRA professional Funny Car competition, the most events in the class for a female driver.

Along the road to 100, DeJoria has picked up three national event wins to her credit, including the prestigious 60^th annual U.S. National in Indianapolis, IN. She became the first female to break the three-second Funny Car barrier, and earned three No. 1 qualifiers in the class, finishing in the Top Ten in Funny Car championship series points for the past two seasons.

The season opener in Pomona will begin her fifth season at the controls of the Tequila Patrón Toyota Camry Funny Car. Previous to her professional debut in the Funny Car class, Alexis DeJoria spent nearly six years behind the wheel of a Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC), even owning her own team at one point.

As she gears up for this weekend’s 2016 NHRA season-opener, DeJoria reflects on her journey to this milestone. She joins Shirley Muldowney, Erica Enders, Angelle Sampey among other women in NHRA’s ‘100 race club’.

When I found out that Pomona would be my 100^th race, it kind of took me back. I just can’t believe I’ve already competed 99 times in a Funny Car. It went by pretty fast,” said DeJoria. “I’ve learned so much over these first 99 races and I think it really does take about 100 races before you feel settled in that race car. When there are things that come up- and there always will be- I feel much more acclimated to my race car, to my team, and to my series. It’s been a short but long journey, and I’m really proud to be in this position and say that after this weekend, I’ve been able to compete in 100 NHRA Funny Car events.”

Alexis DeJoria’s history making weekend kicks off on Friday, February 12^th as she and the Kalitta Motorsports Tequila Patrón Toyota Camry Funny Car team begin qualifying for the 56^th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, California.

Ladies strong in Nitro Spring Training

February 7, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Brittany Force Nitro Spring Training Preseason testing Phoenix AZ — Photo: Ron Lewis

The ladies looked strong in NHRA Nitro Spring Training, a successful four days of NHRA pre-season testing at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park.

Brittany Force and the Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster team led all Top Fuel dragsters on Saturday’s final day of Nitro Spring Training, with a 3.721 second pass at 319.07 mph. Force posted the 5^th and 6^th quickest runs of the four day test session overall.

I am definitely glad we are here in Phoenix testing. We were here for four days and I needed every single run that we made to make me feel more comfortable. Teaming up with Alan Johnson and Brian Husen as my crew chief has been great,” said Force. “They have made a lot of changes to this Monster Energy dragster. They run a whole different system that what we used to run. It takes some time to adjust to that and I am learning the car. It is starting to feel like home. We ran a couple of 3.72s and I am ready to get to Pomona.”

Leah Pritchett in Nitro Spring Training, Phoenix AZ — Photo: NHRA.com

Leah Prichett and her new team at Bob Vandergriff Racing worked on getting comfortable together. The team ran well, and Leah felt comfortable in the seat with new crew chiefs Mike Guger and Joe Barlam at the helm.

It’s going OK. It was running low-.70 numbers on the early-shutoff runs we made this week. I’m extremely comfortable in the car. It drives smooth. Mike and Joe are phenomenal to work with. We have high expectations that we’ve placed on ourselves. We have something to prove this year,” said Pritchett (via NHRA.com).

Courtney Force Nitro Spring Training Preseason Testing — Photo: Ron Lewis

Courtney Force driving the Traxxas Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car ran her career best ET 3.890 at 323.89 mph. The first two days of testing were uneventful for Force who struggled to get her Funny Car down the track. The team began to hit their stride on Friday.

We struggled a little the first couple of passes but then we got it figured out. That is why you go to testing. I am really excited to be working with Ronnie Thompson and Danny Hood as my crew chiefs. This whole Traxxas Chevrolet Funny Car team did a great job here in Phoenix. We made my quickest run ever and I feel really comfortable heading to Pomona,” said Courtney Force.

Saturday NHRA Nitro Spring Training Leaderboard

TOP FUEL

Brittany Force– 3.721, 319.07
Clay Millican – 3.739, 288.87
Doug Kalitta – 3.745, 325.53
Brittany Force – 3.747, 322.81
Richie Crampton – 3.748, 319.22
Brittany Force – 3.758, 317.64
Antron Brown – 3.768, 297.88
Shawn Langdon – 3.770, 316.08
Antron Brown – 3.791, 320.13
J.R. Todd – 3.802, 325.69
Leah Pritchett – 3.839, 272.72
J.R. Todd – 3.882, 251.67
Terry McMillen – 3.916, 256.75
Troy Buff – 3.929, 255.00
Terry McMillen – 3.935, 306.05
Troy Buff – 4.123, 242.19

FUNNY CAR

Tommy Johnson Jr. – 3.874, 318.47
Robert Hight – 3.885, 329.34
Courtney Force – 3.890, 323.89
John Force – 3.914, 327.35
Courtney Force – 3.915, 323.74
Ron Capps – 3.919, 320.66
John Force – 3.927, 323.66
John Force – 3.930, 328.14
Robert Hight – 3.931, 323.43
Matt Hagan – 3.962, 326.79
Alexis DeJoria – 3.972, 320.51
Jack Beckman – 3.982, 289.57
Del Worsham – 3.983, 320.81
Ron Capps – 3.987, 319.29
Alexis DeJoria – 3.993, 322.58
Del Worsham – 3.999, 320.97
Cruz Pedregon – 4.008, 273.94
Brian Hough – 4.015, 316.01
Del Worsham – 4.070, 273.39
Jim Campbell – 4.153, 252.24
Matt Hagan – 4.211, 225.60

Top 10 overall | Nitro Spring Training

TOP FUEL

Tony Schumacher – 3.683, 325.37
Dave Connolly – 3.714, 330.15
Doug Kalitta – 3.716, 327.35
Tony Schumacher – 3.718, 320.58
Brittany Force – 3.721, 319.07
Brittany Force – 3.721, 318.54
Doug Kalitta – 3.727, 322.88
Steve Torrence – 3.729, 326.08
Steve Torrence – 3.731, 326.48
Shawn Langdon – 3.733, 315.49

FUNNY CAR

Tommy Johnson Jr. – 3.874, 318.47
Jack Beckman– 3.880, 325.77
Robert Hight – 3.885, 329.34
Courtney Force – 3.890, 323.89
Jack Beckman – 3.894, 327.03
Jack Beckman – 3.895, 325.06
Courtney Force – 3.904, 318.54
John Force – 3.912, 324.20
Robert Hight – 3.913, 326.16
John Force – 3.914, 327.35

FireAde signs on with Leah Pritchett and BVR

February 4, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

NHRA Top Fuel driver Leah Pritchett has just announced a multi-race deal in which her Bob Vandergriff Racing top fuel dragster will feature FireAde 2000 as primary sponsor at select events in the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, and serve as an associate sponsor throughout the rest of the season.

Ron Thames, owner of Fire Service Plus which makes the Fireade product and I starting discussing ways we could work together last October,” said team owner Bob Vandergriff Jr. “We’re both excited we were able to put together a program that will benefit both sides, they make a great product and it’s been very well received at every level we’ve introduced it.”

FireAde manufactures innovative, user friendly and environmentally safe fire extinguishers. Their products are made from 98% organic compounds, so they contain no hazardous chemicals and are biodegradable. FireAde is used by the NHRA Safety Safari and their extinguishers can be found in retailers all around the world.

When you think of B2B and creating opportunities I kept hearing one name, Bob Vandergriff and BVR,” said Ron Thames. “Since creating this partnership our company has already had doors opened for us at both the retail level and in the oil fields sector. I’m looking forward to growing this program and we’re off to great start already.”

This is Pritchett’s first season with Bob Vandergriff Racing and her first full-season behind-the-wheel of a top fuel dragster. FireAde joins Quaker State as the second major company to team up with Bob Vandergriff Racing to support Leah Pritchett this season. Pritchett finished #14 in points last year after only competing in 16 out of 24 races. With the backing of BVR, she is focused on earning her first win in Top Fuel and competing for the championship title.

The 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Series season will begin at the 56th annual Circle K Winternationals in Pomona, California on February 12 – 14.

Shea Holbrook returns to touring

February 2, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Multi-discipline driver Shea Holbrook returns to touring car racing to campaign a two-car team of Honda Accord V6’s in the 2016 Pirelli World Challenge (PWC) championships. The 6-time PWC winner climbs back into a Touring Car seat after a successful season of drag racing a 250+ mph jet dragster in the IHRA Nitro Jam Series with Larsen Motorsports. Her Shea Racing teammate will be 2015 Trans Am TA3 “Rookie of the Year,” Jason Fichter.

The 2016 season marks Shea Racing’s seventh year competing in the various touring car classes, their first year back since 2012.

With the help of our partners and successes in the TCA and TCB classes we’re ecstatic to be back in the Touring Car class with 2016 Honda Accord V6’s alongside my new teammate, Jason Fichter. We certainly look forward to getting these cars on track and are grateful to our partners, the crew and Honda Racing HPD for providing the momentum we needed during the off-season to make this possible,” said Shea Holbrook, co-owner and driver.

Holbrook took the podium twice at Circuit of the Americas last season between events in her 14-race schedule driving the IHRA Jet Dragster. Anxious for her return to a full season in PWC, she is set to pilot the No. 67 BUBBA Burger, Lucas Oil, KONI Shock Absorber Honda Accord.

I am incredibly thrilled to be representing BUBBA burgers, the household freezer brand with 100% additive free meat for our all-natural products. As well as, Lucas Oil, our American manufacturer and distributor for automotive oil, additives, and lubricants and KONI Shock Absorbers, the world’s leading manufacturer of shock absorbers for the OEM and aftersales market,” said Holbrook. “This is a pivotal year for the team as our partnerships and technical relationships are the backbone of our operation.”

The Shea Racing team has expanded their technical partnerships this season to include CCW Custom Wheels and Rims, and will debut the newly launched TS12 Corsair R-Spec wheels engineered for track performance on the Accords. Shea’s Accord will also be outfitted by MOMO’s safety gear and driver cockpit components.

Both Shea Racing entries will exert braking confidence with StopTech High Performance Brake Systems STR-40 four piston Trophy Race Calipers. CoolShirts Systems will maintain driver safety and comfort by keeping the Shea Racing drivers cool with the Pro Air and Water System. Heeltoe Automotive has also joined the team as the official Performance Parts Supplier of the Shea Racing Accord duo.

The first outing for the Shea Racing team will be the 2016 Pirelli World Challenge season-opener March 4-6th at the Circuit of the Americas.

First test with EFI a success for Enders

February 1, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Two-time defending NHRA Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders is fresh off a successful first test session with her new EFI-equipped Elite Motorsports Mopar Dodge Dart on Saturday at North Star Dragway.

The Pro Stock class recently made the switch to NHRA-mandated electronic fuel-injected engines, an imposed 10,500-rpm limit, and a shorter wheelie bar configuration . Enders and her Elite team also were testing their new equipment under their manufacturer alliance with Mopar and Dodge – a new RJ Race Cars Dart built in the shops of crew chiefs Rick and Rickie Jones.

I was really impressed,” Enders said. “It was a pretty awesome experience. I feel like my expectations were a little tainted by what other people had reported about EFI and I didn’t know what to expect, but then to experience it first-hand with my guys, I’m very optimistic. Things went well, and I’m excited about the season. We accomplished a lot in one day, and we did that because of the preparation and hard work of all my Elite guys.”

Enders put her new Dodge through the motions in a full day of testing, while the team took notes on the many differences between the former Pro Stock configuration and the new one.

The drivability is absolutely different,” Enders said. “It’s definitely challenging, but change always is. I couldn’t have asked for a better first experience with it. We had a great track to test on, and with a brand-new race car and all the new EFI stuff, we went out and went right down the racetrack — no blips, no hiccups, nothing. It was great.”

The new body changes also meant a clear-view for Enders – no more large hood scoop blocking her vision from inside the car.

I’ve never raced with an open windshield like that,” Enders said. “I’ve always had a hood scoop or a blower or something, so it was definitely different to have a wide-open view. That was a big change, but I ignored that aspect of it because I was so focused on doing my best in the race car. That wasn’t even a thought.”

The team continues preparations for the start of the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season with upcoming pre-season testing at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Ariz., starting next Sunday.

Back in Green: Alexis DeJoria

January 28, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Alexis DeJoria has just unveiled her 2016 NHRA Funny Car livery.

The team is going back to their roots for the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing season. Operating out of the Kalitta Motorsports camp, The Patrón Spirits Company-backed Toyota Camry Funny Car team will be “Back in Green for 2016”, once again sport the iconic ‘Patrón Green’ as they return to the distiller’s signature Patrón Silver label.

Driver Alexis DeJoria began her NHRA career in 2005 representing the ultra-premium spirits company’s Patrón Silver brand. Making her debut in a black and green Patrón Super Gas Corvette Roadster, Alexis turned heads in the recognizable color scheme as she progressed through the NHRA ranks, eventually making her highly anticipated Funny Car debut in 2011.

DeJoria’s race team became synonymous with the Tequila Patrón brand. After eight years in green, the team shocked the NHRA world by showing up to the 2014 season-opener in Pomona, California in purple and gold. The team represented the Patrón XO Cafe liqueur brand throughout the 2014 season until the final race of the year when they surprised fans yet again with a red, orange and yellow car emblazoned with Patrón’s latest incarnation, Patrón XO Cafe Incendio. While the Incendio brand was originally intended to be a one-race-only look, fan response was so positive that the new colors remained for the 2015 season.

As the Patrón team enters its fifth year of Funny Car racing, they will return to the quintessential green Patrón Silver scheme.

Alexis and the entire Patrón team were tremendous partners in helping us launch and generate excitement and awareness for the new Patrón XO Cafe Incendio. However, in 2016, we decided to return to the classic Tequila Patrón livery on Alexis’ Toyota Camry Funny Car for the 2016 season. Additionally, this more closely aligns Alexis DeJoria Racing with our global motorsports marketing platform, including our Tequila Patrón ESM Team, racing in the World Endurance Championship series,” said Lee Applbaum, Chief Marketing Officer at Patrón Spirits. “Though it can sometimes be difficult to see clearly at 300-mph, we couldn’t be more proud to fly our colors, and our iconic Patrón Silver bottle, on Alexis’ incredible 10,000-horsepower race car.”

Three-time Funny Car winner Alexis DeJoria couldn’t be more excited about the decision to return to the classic Tequila Patrón livery.

We started our first season in Funny Car branded with Patrón Silver. I love the way the green and silver looks on the car, it’s incredibly sharp,” said DeJoria. “It makes sense to represent the company’s flagship spirit on our Toyota Camry. I think the fans will like it too- it’s very recognizable. Everybody knows that label. When you think of Patrón, you automatically think of the Patrón Silver bottle. Over the years, we’ve had a lot of fun with the other Patrón brands on our car, but I’m really happy to get back to our roots for year five.”

Alexis DeJoria and the Tequila Patrón Toyota Camry Funny Car team take to the track on Friday, February 12^th in Pomona, California for the first qualifying round of the NHRA season at the 56^th annual Circle K NHRA WinterNationals. Fans can get a sneak preview of Team Patrón’s updated look at the NHRA Nitro Spring Training test session in Phoenix, Arizona, February 3-6.

Alexis DeJoria’s 2016 livery teaser

January 27, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Check out this teaser video posted on Alexis DeJoria’s 2016 livery

Our hearts are pumping, and we can almost smell the nitro, folks! Just a few more weeks until the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing season begins at Auto Club Raceway. Check out this awesome teaser video that Alexis DeJoria posted to her Facebook today in anticipation for the unveiling.

Alexis DeJoria will return to the NHRA Funny Car class in her Kalitta-backed Patron Funny Car when the season opens in Pomona for the 56th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals on February 11-14, 2016. Stay tuned, the official unveiling will take place tomorrow.

Teryx Girls ready for ‘The Hammer’

January 27, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

UTV off-road racers Sara Price and Erica Sacks are ready to take on their next big challenge to showcase their off-road endurance skills in their factory-sponsored Kawasaki Teryx. The pair have taken on some of the most extreme off-road sporting events, with Sara coming from a professional career in motocross racing, and Sacks from an accomplished gymnastics career and off-road racing and navigation experience to her credit. Together, they have formed one of the most well-known UTV off-road teams, nicknamed the “Teryx Girls”.

Rallye Aïche des Gazelles 2015

Teryx Girls at 2015 Rallye Aiche des Gazelle — Photo: http://www.utvunderground.com/

Last March, the Teryx Girls became the first U.S. team to compete in the side-by-side class of the world’s toughest all-female off-road event, The Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles. The event is a 9 day navigation challenge, where competitors are limited to manual compasses and hand-drawn maps to cross the Sahara desert. After a rough start in which the two tenacious girls slept alone in the middle of the Sahara, they were able to recover and finish 7th in the class. They also were the best finishers in the rookie category, finishing before all other first-time participants.

Heading to ‘Hammertown USA’

With the experience they gained over the variety of African terrains in their cross across the Sahara, the Teryx Girls have decided to set a new goal in 2016 of tackling the King of the Hammers event. Held in Johnson Valley, Calif., the one day off-road race course is a rough and rugged 120-mile stretch considered by many as one of the most extreme off-road races in the world. The Mean’s Dry Lake bed location is referred to as “Hammer Town U.S.A.” and the week-long events surrounding the race are a major pilgrimage for the off-road racing community. Terrain challenges for the Teryx Girls will include the sandy dry lake beds, rough open desert landscapes and very difficult rock canyons that will challenge their technical rock climbing experiences with obstacles significantly larger than their Kawasaki UTV.

New Teryx Girls 2016 Kawasaki UTV

For 2016, Kawasaki and a host of other sponsors have come on board to equip the Teryx Girls with a brand new race-outfitted 2016 Kawasaki Teryx UTV, one of the only factory-sponsored UTV race teams in the world. Taking valuable lessons learned at the Gazelle rally, the Teryx Girls were ready for the huge undertaking of outfitting a new race-ready UTV.

Both Sara and Erica are very hands-on in the preparation and build process. They brought on IMG Motorsports from Lake Elsinore, Calif. to help with fabrications and set-up; crafting the roll-cage, front bumpers, and the customized fabrication needed for mounts and other modifications.

For the cage we decided to go with a bolt-on build that offered plenty of room for the girls to access anything they might need. We wanted the Teryx to have a menacing look with extra bracing to protect them in case of a roll-over.In a sea of RZRs, its cool to see a Teryx out there competing.” stated James Hill, co-owner of IMG Motorsports.

Next up, they outfitted the UTV with a 4500 lb. Super ATV winch and skid plate system to assist in the rock crawling portion of the course. For wheel and tire selection, the Teryx Girls chose a 14″ Raceline Mamba beadlock wheel and 30″ Arisun tire combo, with Coyote ENT inner wheel/tire liners to provide maximum traction and reliability. Long travel suspension from HCR Racing was installed for added height, stability and maneuverability on the technical parts of the course. Custom axles were made by Summers Brothers to match the new wider rear differential design of the 2016 Teryx model.

Full navigation is on-board courtesy of Lowrance GPS, and the girls will communicate via Bluetooth intercom provided by PCI Race Radios. The Teryx also received some performance upgrades via an ECU flash by Benchmark Performance to remove speed governors, allowing the girls to push the limits of their UTV. The girls will sit snug and safe in PRP GT/S.E. suspension seats, 5.3 harnesses, and even added a pair of hand restraints.

Training for King of the Hammers

The Teryx Girls have been hard at work training for the event and getting acclimated with their new UTV. Preliminary tests left the Teryx Girls confident and pleased with how the Kawasaki performed in the ruthless canyon rock terrain. Neither of the Teryx Girls had much previous experience in rock crawling, so the experience was new and educational for them both.

I usually try to avoid rocks, but in this case you aim for the rocks for better clearance,” said Sara.

For navigator Erica Sacks, the event will provide even more of a physical challenge, as she will be climbing in-and-out of the UTV to set up for obstacles in addition to her navigating duties. Running ahead of the UTV, moving heavy rocks, and climbing around to set the winch will all be extremely demanding tasks physically and mentally, and Erica wants to be sure she’s ready for the challenge.

The last thing I want to do is puke in my helmet or slow the team down because I wasn’t prepared,” said Erica.

Their training to date has introduced them to various portions of the Hammer trails: Chocolate Thunder, Wrecking Ball, Sludge Hammer, and Claw Hammer. The Teryx Girls are ready for the challenge, and can’t wait to hit the King of the Hammers course!

King of the Hammers Event Info

10th Annual King of the Hammers
January 29 – February 6, 2016
Hammertown (Boone Rd)
Johnson Valley, CA 92285

King of the Hammers Race begins Friday February 5th, 2016 at 8:00AM and concludes at 10:00PM. For more details, please see the Full Week Hammertown Official Schedule

Tickets: $20 per person for the week/cash only. Tickets can be purchased at all hours from the front gate starting noon, Jan 29 thru Feb. 6. First-time attendees should consult Spectactor Rules and other important information.