Women in Racing News - Horsepower & Heels

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

Larsen Motorsports wins Innovation award

January 25, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

IHRA Jet Drag Racing super team, Larsen Motorsports, was recently recognized by the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast as their 2016 Innovation Company of the Year.

The award selects a business who demonstrates innovation in product or service offerings, manufacturing productivity or processes, sales and marketing approach that result in increased investment. Larsen Motorsports, Inc was selected for carrying out the goal of bringing new talent in driving, design, engineering, maintenance and development of their jet drag racing development program. The program, which was recently expanded, reaches talent from around the world from their Brevard County, Florida location in Palm Bay.

Founders Elaine Larsen and Chris Larsen accepted the award on behalf of the company at the EDC’s Investor Update Meeting on January 20th, where companies were displaying locally made products in the Made in Brevard showcase exhibit.

“Our passion is to create a unique hands-on training experience that will inspire the next generation of learners into STEM related majors”, stated Chris. “With a unique business focus, a niche home as the anchor of Florida Tech’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Design (CAMID), and a team of innovators creating new and inventive product designs, we are honored to be a part of this business community and appreciate the EDC’s recognition as an innovator making a difference.”

The Larsen Motorsports team trained and provided development for the four jet dragsters teams in the program, nicknamed the “Fastest Girls in Town”. As driver, Elaine Larsen won the IHRA Jet Dragster Championship for 2015, aided by her crew chief and engineering student, Paige Sanchez. Other development program drivers in the program: Shea Holbrook, Kat Moller, Allison West, Dawn Purdue and Marisha Falk – all drove the 250+ mph jet dragsters. The Larsen Motorsports team also won the Horsepower & Heels Female Motorsports Team of the Year for 2015.

Valerie Thompson at Grand National Roadster Show

January 21, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Grand National Roadster Show | Quest for Speed

Seven-time speed record holder, Valerie Thompson, will be a featured celebrity racer at the 67th Grand National Roadster Show at the Fairplex in Pomona. Hand picked from a group of accomplished land speed racers, Thompson’s record setting 200+ mph BMW race bike will be displayed in a special tribute area dedicated to the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) named “Quest for Speed.”

Over 500 show vehicles will compete for awards within the Fairplex buildings. Another 400 – 800 vehicles will join the event over the weekend for the 11th Annual Grand Daddy Drive-In event. The Grand National Roadster Show is now in its 67th year. Formerly known as the Oakland Roadster Show, it is the longest running indoor car show in the world. This marks the 13th consecutive year of the show being held at the Pomona Fairplex.

I’ve always had a passion for land speed racing. Competing on the Salt Flats of Utah and dry lakebeds of California as an independent racer always reminds me of the unsung heroes who made American racing what it is today. This special invitation to appear at the most prestigious rod show just blows me away. More importantly, this exhibit will be used as a fund raiser for the SCTA, a non-profit organization that makes racing dreams possible for all competitors, no matter the size of their pocket book,” added Thompson.

Thompson formed her own land speed racing team in 2012 and recorded a personal best top speed of 217 mph at the 2014 Texas Mile. In 2015, Thompson became the first female member of the Colorado Mile 200 MPH Club on her Quicksilver Powersports Lubricants/CTEK BMW Motorrad and is now a member of six-land speed racing 200 MPH Clubs, including the prestigious Bonneville 200 MPH Club. As a result, she is often referred to as “America’s Queen of Speed.”

Search for a Champion 2016 – Round 1

January 16, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

The 5th annual Search for a Champion contest held by Champion gives racers a chance to compete in two divisions: Amateur for a $25,000 grand prize and Advanced for a $50,000 grand prize. The first round of voting will determine the 25 racers in each division that will compete for the grand prize.

Women Racers | Search for a Champion

It is always great to see the growing number of women that join the ranks to compete for the prize to aid in their racing careers. There are an impressive 45 women entered in the Search for a Champion contest. Voting for round one ends February 2, 2016.

To help support women in motorsports, vote for any of the ladies below:

Carly Jo Ellingson | 2015 Grand Prize Winner

Last year, young upstart Carly Jo Ellingson represented women in racing well, winning the 2015 Search for a Champion Grand Prize. Kelsey Rowlings, Amber Balcaen, Kaley Moody, Alex Rogeo, Tina Stull, Caley Weese, Molly Helmuth, and Taylor Toftemark were also female finalists for Team Champion in 2015.

Sneak Peek: Erica Enders new Dodge Pro Stock

January 14, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Elite Motorsports | Erica Enders Dodge Pro Stock 2016 Dart

NHRA Two-time Pro Stock World Champion Erica Enders has released a few sneak-peek shots of her striking new ’16 Dodge Dart. The car will be making its competition debut a month from now, when she begins her pursuit of a third consecutive NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series title.

Erica Enders’ new Dodge Pro Stock was built by RJ Race Cars in Galesburg, Ill., the famed shop led by Enders’ crew chiefs, Rick and Rickie Jones. They previously crafted her championship-winning cars from 2014 and 2015.

Enders’ Elite Motorsports team is beginning a partnership with Mopar this season and will field Dodge Darts in Pro Stock competition trim. The car is built to new NHRA Pro Stock specifications, including several new rules for 2016 and beyond: fuel-injected engines with a 10,500 rpm limit, plus the removal of hood scoops and shortened wheelie bars.

“Rick and Rickie take a lot of pride in the cars they produce,” Enders said. “They both have said these two cars are the best two pieces that have ever come out of their shop. That’s pretty cool.”

Erica Enders and her Elite Motorsports team are expected to test the new Dodge Pro Stock in Phoenix the week before the season-opening event, Feb. 12-14, at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, Calif.

What do you think of the new, sleek, hoodscoop-less Pro Stock design?

Leave us a comment below!

Aerospace extends NHRA participation

January 13, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Horsepower & Heels Motorsport Professional of the Year finalist, Kim Kussy, announced today that Aerospace Components has extended its agreement as the presenting sponsor of the NHRA Excellence in Engineering Award at select NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events through the 2017 season.

“We are excited to announce our multi-year involvement as presenting sponsors of the NHRA Aerospace Components Excellence in Engineering Award,” said Kim Kussy, co-founder, President and CMO of Aerospace Components Inc. “Because we design and manufacture high performance drag racing billet aluminum components, this program is a perfect fit to honor and support those sportsman racers who exemplify the best engineered vehicles with a Wally trophy.”

Aerospace Components Excellence in Engineering

Formerly the Best Engineered Car Award, NHRA’s Excellence in Engineering Award will be presented at 12 NHRA Mello Yello Series races in 2016. The prestigious award is presented to an individual who brings a unique edge in craftsmanship and technology to each NHRA national event. Voted on by the NHRA Tech Department, the recipient receives a special award-specific Wally to commemorate the achievement. Past winners have included unique chassis builders, drivers that feature distinctive parts and individuals who work to design and test unique concepts.

The NHRA is very proud to have Aerospace Components continue its partnership with NHRA Drag Racing,” said Gary Darcy, NHRA senior vice president of sales and marketing. “The NHRA features some of the world’s most mechanically and technically complex machines and the NHRA Aerospace Components Excellence in Engineering Award honors those who continue to push the boundaries and break barriers in our high-speed sport.”

The program is only one of the ways Kim Kussy stays active within the racing community, supporting customers and racers for their successes. Aerospace Components is family-owned and operated by the Kussy family and has been producing high quality components for 30 years.

They began doing government contract work, primarily the manufacturing of defense systems, guidance systems and space station components, with Kim growing the business becoming one of the most successful professional women in motorsports.

Today, the Aerospace Components name is known throughout the racing industry as one of the leaders in manufacturing high performance drag racing products. They design and build brake systems for any make or model car, billet aluminum vacuum pump systems, fuel pumps, water pumps, two speed power glide shifters and more.

Harli White begins 2016 with return to Chili Bowl

January 13, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Harli White will kick off her 2016 racing season this week at the 30th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals Presented by General Tire.

This marks the third consecutive appearance at the Chili Bowl for White, who will compete in her family owned car. During the off season, the team installed a fresh engine, new body and redesigned graphics in preparation for the marquee midget event at Tulsa Expo Raceway in Tulsa, Okla. White is set for preliminary competition on Thursday before the finale on Saturday.

“It’s huge,” she said. “It’s what every driver dreams of. I’m so honored we can race the Chili Bowl. Our last two years we’ve had good finishes. Our goal every year is to try to improve and do better than we did the last year.”

The Chili Bowl Nationals have been renowned as the ‘Super Bowl’ of Midget Racing since 1987, and feature over two hundred race rigs, bleachers for thousands of people and an ever-growing trade show. The event is contested on the quarter – mile clay oval inside the River Spirit Expo Center at Tulsa’s Expo Square. Without sun or wind to harm it, the indoor garden clay is heavily saturated so that the boldest dirt track artists can shine.

Harli White finished in a C Main each of the last two years, but she was in contention for a transfer to a B Main at both events.

“You have to have a lot of luck and skill,” she said. “You have to have a good car. You have to stay away from wrecks. It’s a lot of luck at the end of the day, but you have to have your skill to get you there.”

White competed in a handful of midget races in 2015 since last year’s Chili Bowl, including a top five finish last fall.

“This is the most prepared we’ve been for the Chili Bowl,” she said. “In the past we didn’t get to race the midget besides at the Chili Bowl and this past year we got to run it a few times so that should help.”

Julia Landauer in NASCAR K&N Pro Series

January 12, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Julia Landauer announced today that she will be joining the Bill McAnally Racing lineup in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series for 2016.

24 year-old Landauer has already built a diverse racing resume that includes a NASCAR Whelen All-American Series championship this past season in the Limited Late Model division at Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Virginia.

Julia – who is originally from New York City; but currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina – joins a BMR driver lineup that includes Chris Eggleston, Todd Gilliland, and Riley Herbst. Plans call for all four drivers to run the full schedule in the K&N Pro Series West, along with select events in the K&N Pro Series East. This will mark her rookie debut in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series.

“It’s great to have Julia join the BMR team, as she moves up to the K&N Pro Series,” said BMR President Bill McAnally. “She has experienced success in a variety of racing venues and we want to provide her the opportunity to continue that success at this level of competition. We look forward to working with her again and anticipate an exciting season ahead.”

Landauer returns to the Bill McAnally Racing team for the first time since 2009, when she competed in a handful of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model races for the race team at All American Speedway in Roseville, California.

“I couldn’t be more excited to be racing in the K&N Pro Series with Bill McAnally Racing,” Landauer said. “Bill and I have worked together in the past, so I’m really looking forward to building on that relationship for a great team dynamic this year. After a track championship in 2015, it’s time to carry that momentum into 2016. BMR is a successful, hard working group of people who produce top-notch equipment and I can’t wait to get on track for the first race. A huge thank you to all of the partners who helped make this season come together.”

Landauer began her racing career at the age of 13, competing in the Skip Barber Racing series in 2005. The following year she ran the full series and became the first female champion in the history of the series, scoring 12 wins.

Her diverse racing resume also includes experience with Formula BMW in 2007, Ford Focus Midgets in 2008, late model events with BMR in 2009, select late model races at South Boston (Virginia) Speedway in 2010/2011, and partial seasons in Legend cars from 2012 to 2014. She became the first woman to win a NASCAR track championship in the Limited Late Model division at Motor Mile Speedway in 2015.

Away from the track, Julia Landauer has been busy as well. She graduated from Stanford University in 2014, with a bachelor’s degree in science, technology and society. She also took a short hiatus from racing in 2012 to be a cast member on the television series “Survivor” , where she made it to day 19 before being eliminated in the season that aired in early 2013.

An advocate for women in sports, Julia campaigns to inspire education in the field of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Amy Ruman wins historic TA championship

January 11, 2016 // by Taylor Hyatt

Professional road racer, Amy Ruman, added her name to the history books as the first female Trans Am champion in the history of the sport. Her win at Daytona International Speedway, in the final race of the 11-event season, comes as her eighth in 2015 and the 13^th since her Trans Am career began in 2005.

Amy Ruman Clinches TA Championship

Amy’s TA class Chevrolet Corvette sat in second place on the grid, but all she needed was a green flag on the race and she would have officially clinched the championship. That didn’t stop her though, after running in the top five with multiple lead changes throughout the majority of the 75 minute race, and managing the traffic from the back of the pack, Amy passed former (2014) champ, Doug Peterson, and took the lead with only six laps to go. Taking it easy was definitely not in her plans!

“Traffic is always an issue and can be a factor in our races. So I just tried to maintain composure and just run consistent lap times, and that got us the win. The car was set up strong” said Ruman.

Historic Firsts for Amy Ruman

That Saturday in her No. 23, McNichols’ sponsored Trans Am car Amy set not one, but two records. She became the first female to claim a Trans Am championship with 345 points to Paul Fix’s 311 and she also became the first female, solo-driver, to have an overall victory at Daytona International Speedway. This came just months after Ashley Freiburg’s co-driving skills won her the IMSA race at Daytona placing her name as a first. Although, Ruman isn’t new to the history books – in 2011 she became the first woman to win a Championship finale race in Trans Am.

Amy has certainly worked her way into up the ranks with the help of her father, Bob Ruman, who is a 20 year veteran within the sport and series and also received support from the family run business, McNichols’ Company.

“I think finally it all just gelled and came together. We have a really well-prepared car. We switched to PME motors; they’ve been strong for us all year and that was a great move. My dad has dialed in the setup on the car; we’ve had it for three or four years now. I think finally all the pieces of the puzzle came together, and we had a rally good year. I drove smart and we were there at the end when we needed to be. We had some absolutely dominant wins and some where we had to come from the back a few times. There was a little bit of everything, but it was just a fantastic year for us.”

Amy was able to make a sometimes difficult and trying season into a great win for the team. I can assure you that this won’t be the last we see from Amy Ruman or her team!

Elaine Larsen to drive FIT Jet Dragster for 2016

January 6, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Elaine Larsen to drive FIT Jet for Florida Institute of Technology

IHRA Jet dragster driver Elaine Larsen, who just completed a four-win 2015 season that earned her a second consecutive IHRA Jet Dragster world championship, announced today that she will step into the driving cockpit of the Florida Institute of Technology jet dragster for 2016.

“I am really excited to drive the Florida Tech jet dragster, not only because I expect to bring my championship abilities to this great team, but also because this will allow me the opportunity to showcase to the world all of the hard work and dedication of students and faculty at Florida Tech.”

Now entering the second year of partnership with Florida Tech, the team will formally open its Larsen Motorsports High Performance Vehicles Research & Development Center this February at the university’s Palm Bay research center, located near their main Melbourne campus. The 30,000-square-foot facility, featuring full-concept design, engineering and fabrication capabilities and room for up to nine race teams, will continue to enhance the unique and powerful educational impact of the Florida Tech-Larsen Motorsports relationship.

“I am excited to work at the shop and on the track with Florida Tech students,” Larsen said.

Larsen’s crew chief during her 2015 championship run, Paige Sanchez, returns track side and at the development center for the 2016 season. Sanchez is currently earning her master’s degree in mechanical engineering at Florida Tech in addition to her duties as crew chief for Elaine.

“Whether developing a computer model, fine-tuning our General Electric J-85 turbo jet engines or getting dirty with some routine maintenance, the hands-on experiences I get at Larsen touch on multiple STEM disciplines and really enhance my classroom education,” Sanchez said.

The R&D Center hosts upwards of 15 Florida Tech students on any given day, providing hands-on learning experiences in a variety of curriculum ranging from aerospace, mechanical and electrical engineering majors to those studying communications, marketing, and human factors.

“We have laid out our facility to enable us to provide student and internship opportunities that center on the STEM areas of science, technology, engineering and math,” said Chris Larsen, Larsen Motorsports CEO and co-founder

If the coming year is anything like 2015, it promises to be a busy one for the students, the Larsens and all of Larsen Motorsports. Last year, the team traveled the country – and into Canada – for a dozen races, while making numerous appearances with the 5,500-horsepower Florida Tech jet dragster, from the Melbourne Air Show to campus events including Discovery Day and homecoming.

Autoweek names Erica Enders for Driver Award

January 5, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

NHRA Pro Stock driver, Erica Enders continues to rack up accolades for her historical “R-EE-peat” championship season. Most recently, Autoweek names Erica Enders as its inaugural Autoweek Driver Award recipient.

Enders earned her second consecutive Pro Stock championship with a dominant performance in the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, winning nine races, breaking Angelle Sampey’s single-season win record for females, passed legend Shirley Muldowney for second place in career wins by a woman as her total increased to 21 career victories, and most recently, was voted the Horsepower & Heels Female Racer of the Year and Female Motorsport Professional of the Year.

Enders also set an all-time NHRA record by winning three consecutive final rounds on holeshots (in Brainerd, Minn.; Indianapolis; and Charlotte), proving deadly on the tree all season long, leading to her being able to clinch the championship in Las Vegas with one race remaining on the schedule. She became the first driver in Pro Stock to win back-to-back titles since the great Jeg Coughlin Jr. accomplished that feat in 2007-08.

It’s a huge honor to be named as the winner of the Autoweek Driver Award, especially considering it covers all of motorsports,” Enders said. “Sometimes drag racing is overlooked, so it’s pretty neat for us. Thanks to (team owner) Richard Freeman, (crew chiefs) Rick and Rickie Jones and Mark Ingersoll, and all my Elite Motorsports guys. I’ve got the best, smartest, most loyal guys in the business, and they make this whole deal possible. I’m a blessed girl to be their driver, and we’ll continue to live this dream.”

The Autoweek Awards were launched to “recognize individuals or companies who, over the course of the last year, have made substantial contributions to the continued relevance and advancement of car culture.”

The magazine said of Enders, “No other driver has dominated their sport to the degree that Enders has over the course of the last two years.”