Women in Racing News - Horsepower & Heels

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

Pippa Mann returning to Indy 500 in 2017

March 29, 2017 // by Horsepower & Heels

Indycar driver Pippa Mann is planning her return to Dale Coyne Racing for a fifth consecutive year to pilot the team’s third entry in the 101st annual Indianapolis 500. Mann will be back behind the wheel of the #63 Dale Coyne Racing Honda as she looks to make her sixth start at the famed 2.5-mile superspeedway.

The British driver will once again be paired with engineer Rob Ridgely. Ridgely was Pippa’s engineer when she scored her best IndyCar Series finish in 2015 (13th), as well as her best Indy 500 result (18th) last year.

“I’m very happy to be rejoining Dale Coyne Racing for my fifth consecutive year with the team at the 101st Indy 500,” expressed Pippa. “Dale has invested heavily in the team over the winter, and it’s an exciting time to be part of his organization. I’m looking forward to working with the same familiar faces from my 2016 campaign, like my race engineer Rob Ridgely, as well as working with the new members of the team, including my new teammates Sebastien (Bourdais) and Ed (Jones). I’m thrilled to be getting back on the race track this May for my sixth Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

Also returning for a fourth consecutive year, is the Susan G. Komen^® cause. Pippa will continue to raise awareness for the ‘Get Involved Campaign’ as well as working with Auction Cause, a premier cause marketing agency, that will run a charity auction on eBay for the cause. The campaign will launch May 1 and close the week following the Indy 500. The funds raised will be used to support Komen’s global breast cancer research, and community based programs throughout the U.S.

“I’m also excited about the link up with Auction Cause and eBay for Charity this May,” added Pippa. “They have so much experience running online campaigns, I feel like it’s a huge step for me, and for the Get Involved Campaign to partner with them. This new format has allowed me to reach out to more drivers, get them involved with more signed items, and I’m hoping we’re able to reach more race fans, and raise even more money for Susan G. Komen than we have ever done before.”

In the past two years, the campaign has raised over $135, 000. Items available in the 2017 auction will include 1:18 die-casts and artwork signed by various drivers, Pippa’s race worn, pink helmet and firesuit, a karting night at Speedway Indoor Karting, as well as the popular ‘Turn the cockpit pink’ option where names of people are placed in the cockpit to honor the memories of loved ones lost, or those who are fighting or who have fought cancer.

“It’s always a pleasure to have Pippa on board for the Indy 500 and to help promote the Get Involved Campaign, raising funds for Susan G. Komen,” shared Team Owner Dale Coyne. “Pippa works hard every year to put together this program and to race in the Indy 500. With her perseverance and enthusiasm for our sport, it’s only fitting that we continue this relationship that started five years ago.”

People who wish to be notified via email once the auction goes live can sign up at the following link: http://www.auctioncause.com/cf/komen-get-involved/signup.htm

On track action for this year’s Indy 500 gets underway Monday, May 15 with practice. The 101^st Indianapolis 500 will take place on Sunday, May 28, 2017.

Kelly Fedorowich plans a return to the seat

March 24, 2017 // by Horsepower & Heels

Former NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster driver, Kelly Fedorowich plans a return to the seat – after nearly two decades on the sideline.

She was 24 years-old, full of drive and ready to tear up the track when she first piloted the family Top Alcohol Dragster entry in 1991. With her husband David, and their infant son Nikolas, the team had embraced life on the road in pursuit of their NHRA and IHRA dreams. Having relocated to Gainesville, Florida in 1990 during on the most epic periods of grassroot drag racing history, the family made a decent living competing and supplemented their income match racing on off-weekends. They traveled across the country for 4 years, living life on road in a White Freightliner between race tracks.

In 1991, they made the switch to the Top Fuel ranks, the pinnacle of the sport. Because young son Nikolas was still just an infant, Kelly made the difficult choice to remain on the sidelines in support of her husband David.

When we hit the road in 1990, Nikolas was only 6 weeks old. Yes, 6 weeks! We all know that there are safety risks associated with any type of drag racing, but none more pronounced than in the Top Fuel category. Drivers accept the associated dangers each and every time they climb into the cockpit of these earth-bound rockets and every time that I strapped David into the cockpit, I wished it were me. But when we made the move to Top Fuel I decided that my turn would have to wait. We were a long way from home and Nikolas deserved the security of having one parent whose career couldn’t be categorized as “daredevil.”

The family remained on the road, and their adventures even brought them across the globe, when David was contracted to teach a group of Japanese drag racers the fine art of piloting Top Alcohol Funny Cars. The driving students came to the USA without knowing a word of English; and the Fedorowich family would open their home to the students, with Kelly preparing traditional Japanese meals for their guest. During these dinners, they would help teach the trainees English, and learned some Japanese themselves that would aid them on their annual Japanese travels.

We spent a lot of time at Fuji Raceway located right at the base of Mount Fuji. And when we weren’t at the track, our hosts immersed us into the Japanese culture,” Kelly said. From the shrines and temples of Nikko to Sanrio Puroland – home of Hello Kitty….and endless bowls of ramen soup, we experienced Japan from an entirely unique and truly home-grown perspective.”

By the time their foreign travels came to an end in 1994, toddler Nikolas was ready to come home and begin schooling. Kelly and David made the difficult decision to return home to give Nikolas a normal education experience. The pair chose to lay roots in Canada, with Calgary being their new home. David would open a chassis shop, while Kelly would focus on a new venture in fashion.

I made the decision to postpone my driving career until Nikolas was older, but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that it would be another 25 years before my dream could reach fruition.”

Growing up and turning to the Dark Side

As Nikolas grew, he often took his father’s side in the family chassis business. Kelly and David, though content with their decision to give their son a normal childhood at home, still longed for the fast paced, adrenaline fused rush of their Top Fuel memories. In 2011, the family revisited their dreams, launching the debut of their new Dark Side Racing Top Fuel Dragster. The 2012 debut marked Western Canada’s only Top Fuel racing team, and put David back in the seat with Kelly supporting the team’s efforts.

But the call of a 10,000 hp nitro-burning dragster still burned in Kelly’s heart, and the time has come in which Kelly Fedorowich plans a return to the seat with the mission to become the fastest woman in Canada…

Kelly Fedorowich plans a return to the seat

For 2017, the Dark Side Racing team has built an all-new, state-of-the-art Lucas chassis with carbon fiber body panels. Kelly began her training last season, and is ready for her return this year.

We have an incredible season coming together and we’ve assembled a top-notch group of sponsors to showcase and represent. Couple that with our community outreach program and it’s clear that the best is yet to come!”

As she embarks on her journey, she will become Canada’s first licensed Top Fuel pilot. Kelly plans to share the driving duties with husband David – and hopes that eventually, she will be racing side by side against him.

[Driving along side David] is something that I’ve dreamed of doing for nearly 30 years. Becoming the Fastest Woman in Canada has always been a part of that dream.”

Community Outreach

Dark Side Racing is an active supporter of Prostate Cancer Canada and PROSTAID Calgary, and returns in 2017 with the cause. The team helps to raise awareness of prostate cancer and raise funds for prostate cancer research.

Kelly’s ‘Fastest Woman in Canada’ campaign will partner with The City of Calgary Fire Department as a recruitment platform during the 2017 season to attract more women to the Calgary Fire Department.

“For many women, the idea that they can compete in or make a contribution in traditionally male-dominated fields like race car driving or fire-fighting is a completely foreign one. By sharing my story I hope to inspire more women and girls to pursue their dreams to be involved in fire-fighting, motorsport, or any other male-dominated industry.”

The team has also piqued the interest of celebrated Canadian filmmaker Jonathan Joffe (Jonathan Joffe Pictures), who is currently developing a 3 minute promo video that chronicles Team Dark Side and Kelly’s ‘Fastest Woman in Canada’ campaign. The project is be pitched to Canadian broadcasters as a possible reality show.

Best of luck to Kelly Fedorowich from all of us at Horsepower & Heels as she earns her nitro stripes!

Meyers qualifies second in Gator Nationals

March 24, 2017 // by Horsepower & Heels

Fresh off her first regional win of the season, NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster driver Megan Meyer qualifies second in Gator Nationals event before exiting in the quarterfinals.

The returning sophomore driver posted a 5.237 at 276.01 mph pass in the first round of qualifying. She improves in round two with a career best ET of 5.153 at 283.73 mph, tying Bill Reichert for the eighth quickest run ever in the Top Alcohol Dragster class. Her teammate, Justin Ashley, just bested her qualifying effort in round three, bumping her from the No. 1 qualifying position.

Eliminations – Gator Nationals

In round one of eliminations, Megan Meyer would face Arthur Allen for the second time in her career, taking the win in their previous match up. Meyer makes a solid 5.206 pass at 279.21 mph for the win, after Allen loses several cylinders at the start of the run.

Round two, Meyer would face defending event champion, Rich McPhillips. McPhillips holds the advantage in previous match-ups with a 2-1 record. Meyer and McPhillips met last year in the finals of the Gator Nationals event, where Megan would record her first runner-up finish. McPhillips left first, and both would be neck-and-neck all the way to the finishline. Though Megan would post a quicker and faster 5.238 at 280.43 mph, McPhillips would take the hole-shop victory with a 5.297 at 266.16 mph thanks to a 0.012 second reaction time.

2017 Search for a Champion Female Finalists

March 21, 2017 // by Horsepower & Heels

The 2017 Search for a Champion female finalists need your help! Final round voting for the contest held by Champion ends March 23rd. The contest gives racers a chance to compete in two divisions: On Track for a $25,000 grand prize and Off Track for a $50,000 grand prize.

An impressive 44 women entered in the Search for a Champion contest for 2017, but only 4 would make the final round to compete for the grand prize!

2017 Search for a Champion Female Finalists

In no particular order, please meet your 2017 Search for a Champion female finalists.

Riley Gonzalez

Riley Gonzalez never met her grandfather, but his legacy of Sunbeam Alpines that he restored and rallied lives on through his granddaughter, who uses his memory as motivation for learning to do vehicle maintenance on family vehicles and her racing go-karts.

Riley is competing as a finalist in the 2017 SFAC Off-The-Track Champion. She hopes to represent Champion and bring more local awareness for the Champion brand to her local community. Riley is the lone female competing in the Off the Track portion of the competition.

>>>VOTE FOR RILEY<<<

Makayla Marks

14 year-old Makayla Marks from Indianapolis, IN races the Yamaha Junior Class in the Kart Racers of America series. Already a seasoned veteran, she is entering her 6th racing season, having already amassed a notable career thus far with two championship wins, three Driver of the year awards in various series, many wins, poles, and a Rookie of the year award to her credit.

Now eligibile for her novice SCCA license, and having been 1 of only 2 recipients chosen to receive the 2016 Lyn St. James Project Podium scholarship through the Women’s Sports Foundation, Makayla is hoping that a much needed win here will help push her to the next level, a feat not financially possible without the added support.

>>VOTE FOR MAKAYALA<<<

Courtney Mageau

Canadian drag racer, Courtney Mageau, is vying for a chance to be the next Champion to help push her to the next level in the NHRA Heritage series 7.0 Pro class. She hopes 50 years of family racing experience on her side will help land her golden opportunity.

Courtney has been racing since she was very young, having come up the ranks in the Junior Dragster category before graduating to Super Pro. She recently became the Alberta’s first female Funny Car driver, earning her stripes aboard her Girl Trouble F/C.

>>VOTE FOR COURTNEY<<<

Marina Anderson

One of the fastest female finalists is NHRA Drag Racing Top Alcohol Dragster driver, Marina Anderson.

Anderson gained drag racing experience with a close group of family and friends, crewing on a nostalgia top fuel dragster. Her love for nitro would develop on the road and in the pits in support of her team.

When she turned 17, she earned her NHRA Super Comp license, running 8.22 second, 162 MPH passes down the quarter mile. She would continue her racing dream quest through college – earning a double major Bachelor’s Degree while spending nights fabricating her chassis.

This season she will take on her ultimate nitro goal – behind the wheel of an A/Fuel Dragster. Winning the Search for a Champion contest would help propel her ahead at 200+ mph.

>>VOTE FOR MARINA<<<

An opportunity like this can be career-changing for women in motorsports. Help support women racing by placing your vote for one of the candidates above. Who will you place YOUR vote for? Comment below and let us know who you think should be the next Champion.

Megan Meyer debuts new 2017 livery

March 11, 2017 // by Horsepower & Heels

NHRA Drag Racing Top Alcohol Dragster driver Megan Meyer debuts new 2017 livery this weekend at the LODRS Division 2 Southeast Regional event, Prelude to the Gators, in Gainesville, FL.

The Randy Meyer Racing A/Fuel Dragster welcomed new sponsors for the 2017, opting for a total redesign for Megan’s sophomore season. The team returned to the well-received and recognized pink, purple and blue colored livery.

I wanted to step into my sophomore year with a new look,” says Meyer. “I love the way how the pink and purple and blue stand out on the track. A big thanks to Accelerated Designs for the layout and Fineline Graphics for printing the wrap.”

New sponsors come aboard for 2017 in Technician.Academy, Aeroquip, and ProThings and existing sponsors return in Meyer Truck Center, Lucas Oil, NGK Spark Plugs, Gunk Cleaners, Clevite Rings and Bearings, Horsepower & Heels, ARP Bolts, Taylor Cable, and Racepak for the new livery debut.

Originally scheduled to unveil during the upcoming Gatornationals event, the team accomplished much during their pre-race test session at Gainesville Raceway. Testing out new setups and tuning, they made quick progress during testing.

We were trying out new combinations with the car that did not meet our expectations on the first day, so we went back to our original game plan and the car ran a stout 5.202 E.T. at 279 mph for my first full quarter-mile pass.”

Testing went so well, the team decided to enter this weekend’s LODRS Division 2 Regional event “Prelude to the Gators”. This means fans at the regional event get the added bonus of the unveiling as Megan steps up for her first race of the year.

I am thrilled to be back at the race track; being at the Nitro Spring Training and the Winternationals as a crew member was a blast. I always enjoy going back to helping out on the top end and bottom end of the motors. But, my heart is set on driving, and I am more confident than ever in my team and in my race car that we will be championship contenders this year.”

Prelude to the Gators – Gainesville Regional

There are 12 cars entered for this weekend’s Gainesville Regional event. One of which is Megan’s new teammate, young upstart Justin Ashley in his TAD competition debut. After Friday’s qualifying, the teammates captured the top of the qualifying order, with Megan running a 5.239 at 274.55 mph for the No. 2 position and Justin at No. 1 with a 5.205 at 278.86 mph.

The pair will hit the track again tomorrow, battling it out for their first win of the season.

Upcoming Schedule – Megan Meyer Racing

GatorNationals, March 16-19, FS2 | March 30 | 8:00 – 9:00 PM ET
Belle Rose Regional, April 7-9
SpringNationals, April 21-23, FS2 | May 4 | 9:00 – 10:00 PM ET
Four-Wide Nationals, April 28-30, FS2 | May 11 | 8:00 – 9:00 PM ET
Heartland Nationals, May 19-21, FS2 | June 1 | 8:30 – 9:30 PM ET
Tulsa Regional, June 22-25
Route 66 Nationals, July 6-9, FS2 | July 20 | 8:00 – 9:00 PM ET
St. Louis Regional, July 22-23
Topeka Regional, July 27-29
Lucas Oil Nationals, August 17-20, FS2 | Aug 31 | 9:00 – 10:00 PM ET
U.S. Nationals, August 30-Sept 4, FS2 | Sept 14 | 9:00 – 10:00 PM ET
Earlville Regional, September 8-10
Carolina Nationals, September 15-17, FS2 | Sept 28 | 8:00 – 9:00 PM ET
Dodge Nationals, September 21-24, FS2 | Oct 5 | 9:00 – 10:00 PM ET
Noble Regional, October 6-8
FallNationals, October 12-15, FS2 | Oct 26 | 9:00 – 10:00 PM ET

Michele Abbate races in Australia

March 7, 2017 // by Horsepower & Heels

After two seasons of global communication, Michele Abbate races in Australia for the 2017 Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour. The Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) champion will join fellow Toyota 86 racers and four-time Australian production car champions, Pedders Racing, to take on the mountain challenge.

With three attempts on the Mount Panorama Circuit completed, Pedders Racing is ready to make an impact at the growing the Bathurst 6 Hour. The event’s 72 place grid is on the verge of being full for the first time in over 75 years of racing at the iconic circuit. The renowned endurance race has committed to bringing the true roots of Australian motor sport production racing, back to the fore of prominence.

For Abbate, it’s a dream come true to have the opportunity to race at one of the world’s greatest circuits. A dream so big, the young racer has cancelled her honeymoon to make the journey to Australia for the race.

Beginning in go-karts and autocross, Abbate made her racing debut with the Sports Car Club of America at the age of sixteen, notably achieving a podium finish behind two national champions in her debut outing. Expanding into road course racing and time attack, Abbate’s impressive performances and university education sealed the deal to become a factory driver for Scion Racing.

In her rookie year, Abbate became class Champion of the MotoIQ Pacific Tuner Car Championships in the National Auto Sport Association’s Southern California region, backing it up with a top four place in the overall standings in just her second season of the series.

Realizing opportunity as the renowned Scion FR-S (also known as the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ) hit the highs across the global automotive market, Abbate took the reins of team ownership with the new chassis and support from Scion Racing. Her debut at the world famous Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in her first professional race with the United States Touring Car Championship series, Abbate took home another Rookie of the Year honor, while earning Scion its first manufacturer points in the history of the series.

Following two wins, ten podiums and a fourth of July 2015 championship victory in the SCCA USA Majors Tour Western Conference, Abbate of GRR Racing, went on to earn the Lindley Bothwell Driver of the Year Award, becoming the first female in the award’s 66-year history to take the honor. Abbate has since driven in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, as well as introduced a new Chevrolet SS 363 V8 GT-1 to the SCCA Majors Tour, while adding drift and motorcycles to her racing resume. The events Michele Abbate races in Australia will now mark her international debut at none other than Mount Panorama, Bathurst.

Having gained sponsorship commitment, qualifying for the USA SCCA National Run-Offs led to a growing passion to take motor sport to the next level, so when the door was opened for a Bathurst co-drive with Australia’s Pedders Racing in a Toyota 86 chassis familiar to the Las Vegas native, it was a match made in motor sport heaven, and the American racer can’t wait to land ‘down under’.

“I couldn’t be more excited and thankful to take advantage of this amazing opportunity,” Abbate said. “It has always been my dream to visit Australia and watch some of the best racing in the world, and, thanks to seasons of sharing information, a mutual commitment to the FRS (Toyota 86) chassis, and now with this open door from Pedders Racing, I don’t have to watch, I can actually get out there and race Bathurst! We’ve been toying with the idea of joining forces for a while now, but our racing seasons and business commitments hadn’t fallen in line, so when the date was mentioned, my Crew Chief (fiancé) and I changed our plans because, let’s be honest, is there any where or any way better to do a honeymoon?!”

The Pedders Racing team has been competing at the national level for seven seasons, with victories, records and world-firsts achieved since debuting their Toyota 86 at the Mount Panorama (Bathurst) circuit in 2013. The volunteer managed team, supported by Pedders Suspension, who recently returned to the US automotive marketplace, introduced the world’s first 86 in a national production racing series with a fully FIA homologated chassis to allow for every opportunity.

Michele Abbate races in Australia — Photo Credit: JOEL STRICKLAND

Securing four further world-firsts in their debut season, Pedders Racing’s #86 entry became a record holder with the first ever national circuit racing pole position, race win, round/event win, and topped off an outstanding 2013 season with the first ever national circuit racing Class Championship for the famed 86 chassis.

In a unique education-first partnership, and with Australia’s most promising motor sport professionals, the students of Motorsports Training Australia, at the helm of preparations, strategy and crew operation, Abbate’s signing to the seasoned production racing Pedders outfit could just prove to be the ticket to tame the mountain.

With high hopes shared across the Pacific, the #86 champion Toyota has undergone a complete mechanical and electrical review during the Australian Production Cars Series off season to give the greatest of opportunities when Easter rolls around.

Having first raced Bathurst alongside Australian movie and TV star Shane Jacobson (Kenny, 2006 film release), Pedders Racing driver and Team Principal, Grant Phillips, echoed the excitement of his latest star co-driver.

“We’ve had lots of exciting things happen to the team since we joined the national scene seven years ago, but to be able to secure the opportunity for an international driver to be with us at Bathurst is pretty up there,” says Jacobson. “Michele (Abbate) has developed a strong pedigree of racing across every opportunity that she creates, and we’re very keen to get her to Australia and get her settled into the seat of our 86. There’s no doubt that Michele’s knowledge of track racing, her understanding of the 86 chassis, and her entertaining approach will gel really well with our team, and it won’t just be a ‘bucket list’ experience for her as a driver, but also an outstanding experience for our MTA (Motorsports Training Australia) crew who take every moment as a unique opportunity to learn.”

The Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour will venture to the famed tarmac of Mount Panorama April 14 – 16, with free live coverage of the endurance race feature to be available online to a global audience via the event’s website at bathurst6hour.com.au.

Harli White kicks off 2017 in Florida

February 22, 2017 // by Horsepower & Heels

Harli White kicks of 2017 in Florida this weekend when she makes her debut appearance at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa for the 16^th annual Ronald Laney Memorial King of the 360s.

“I’ve watched a few videos of that track,” she said. “By the looks of it, it will be close to some tracks we raced on in Australia recently. My goal is to just get laps and try to make the show each night. It’s going to be a tough field of cars and a challenging track.”

With a large 60-race schedule set for 2017, White previously announced that she will tackle the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour for the first time in her career. While that will encompass the bulk of her events, White has more than a dozen additional races on the initial schedule of more than 60 shows across the country. Harli spent most of the offseason competing in Australia for the first time in her career, and she is hopeful that experience will lead to success at new venues this season, including the one this Thursday through Saturday.

White, who had never driven a 410 winged sprint car prior to the trip, competed in 13 races at three different tracks throughout December and January. She said the highlight was being a part of Team USA when it won the Origin of Speed event, which showcased eight states and territories, at Valvoline Raceway in Sydney, New South Wales, on Jan. 12.

“As a driver I have to be able to adapt to any track condition,” she said. “Dry slick is what we were hoping for in Australia. A slick track in the states will be nice.”

Regardless of the tricky track and stout competition, White said she is entering this season with a lot of confidence.

“We’re on top of our game going into the first race,” she said. “Everything is in line. It looks good and sounds good. We spent the hours preparing this year. I learned a lot racing in Australia during the offseason, hopefully running the different tracks will help me quickly figure out these new tracks I’ll be going to.”

Car Chix at Race & Performance Expo

February 20, 2017 // by Horsepower & Heels

Not able to attend the upcoming 10th Annual Race and Performance Expo? Our friends over at Car Chix will be at Race & Performance Expo live streaming the event on the Car Chix Facebook page.

The live feed will feature a special segment entitled “The Women of the Midwest Nostalgia Pro Stocks: “Paying Tribute to the Legends” and a hand lettering demonstration by Kustom Kulture Artist, “Brando”.

“This will be must see event,” says Jeanette DesJardins, President and Founder of Car Chix. “It will be like taking a walk down memory lane of the good ‘ol days of drag racing with modern day technology, perspectives and views.”

The women of the Midwest Nostalgia Pro Stocks segment will be discussing their personal experiences in racing with Car Chix – how they first became involved with drag racing, their roles on the race team and what they see for the future of women in racing.

World Renowned artist, “Brando” from Kustom Kulture will be free-hand lettering Mike Ruth’s Bob Glidden Nostalgia Pro Stock tribute car.

The live stream event will be filmed by Amy Dayton of ARS Promotions for an upcoming segment of their hit TV show, ARS-TV. In addition, a major sponsorship announcement is expected to be made with a leading performance manufacturer.

Car Chix at Race & Performance Expo Live Stream

Date: Sunday, February 26th, 2017 2:00PM CST
Event: 10th Annual Race & Performance Expo
Location: Heidts Hot Rods Booth (#1221-1235)
Renaissance Convention Center
1551 Thoreau Dr N.
Schaumburg, IL 60173

Live Feed: Car Chix Facebook Page

Car Chix Booth | Calendar Signing

If you are in the area, Car Chix will have an action packed Saturday including a 2017 Car Chix Calendar Autograph Signing from 1-3pm at the Car Chix Booth (#1812) where attendees can meet with the Women of Motorsports Car Chix Calendar features.

Motorsport Marketing Seminar | Car Chix

Jeanette DesJardins of Car Chix will be demonstrating how you can maximize your marketing efforts at the debut of the ‘Motorsports Marketing – Promoting You and Your Race Team’ Seminar from 3:15 – 3:55pm in the Prosperity Room.

Larsen Motorsports partners with Space Coast Tourism

February 15, 2017 // by Horsepower & Heels

Palm Bay, Florida based Jet Dragster Super Team, Larsen Motorsports announced they have aligned with the Space Coast Tourism Office in order to help promote tourism and careers on Florida’s Space Coast in 2017.

Florida’s Space Coast is a family-friendly destination located 45-minutes east of Orlando. Encompassing Cocoa Beach, Melbourne & the Beaches, Port Canaveral, Titusville, and Palm Bay, it is home to the world’s second busiest cruise port and 72 miles of beaches, the longest stretch in the state; as well as 190,000 acres of wetlands and waterways full of habitat found nowhere else. Plus, Florida’s Space Coast is where rockets still soar into orbit from Kennedy Space Center.

Larsen Motorsports fields a 3-car exhibition jet dragster team at over two dozen premium venues across the country – from drag racing track locations, tradeshow venues, corporate appearances and more.

As our teams travel across the country, we have the opportunity to help promote Florida’s Space Coast to a multitude of people” said Chris Larsen, co-owner of Larsen Motorsports, “Our vehicles and staff directly represent a large number of the initiatives Brevard County wishes to promote. With our teams’ home right here on Florida’s Space Coast, Larsen Motorsports is perfectly positioned to help deliver the Space Coast Office of Tourism message to a very large audience across North America.”

Elaine Larsen, co-owner of Larsen Motorsports and driver of the Florida Institute of Technology Jet Dragster, has made incredible contributions to not only the drag racing community – helping to train many young dragster pilots such as Kat Moller, Shea Holbrook, Kat Redner, Allison West, Marisha Falk, and many other ladies in the sport; but also on the crew and engineering side with their Jet Developmental Center focused on hands-on training in jet car engineering, fabrication and more. Elaine holds several World Championships in the Jet class, aided by her crew chief Paige Sanchez. Larsen Motorsports has been known previously as the “Fastest Girls in Town” for the team’s strong history of helping advance women in motorsports. Their emphasis on training and development, research and hands-on engineering/fabrication advancements reflects their highly successful partnership with the Florida Institute of Technology and their dedication to giving back to the sport and their local community.

“I am so excited about this newest partnership!” said Elaine Larsen. “When I am not racing, it is good to come home to Florida’s Space Coast, where there is always something to do. This paradise may be home for me, but a destination for others to enjoy as well.”

For more information, contact the Space Coast Office of Tourism at (877) 572-3224 or VisitSpaceCoast.com.

Megan Meyer and Clevite Announce Partnership

February 15, 2017 // by Horsepower & Heels

NHRA Drag Racing Top Alcohol Dragster driver Megan Meyer and Clevite have just announced a new associate sponsor partnership for the 2017 TAD season. MAHLE Motorsports owned, Clevite® Engine Products has been a contingency sponsor of Randy Meyer Racing for over a decade, onboard the team’s many championship-winning vehicles, but has stepped up to support Meyer in her sophomore season of LODRS Top Alcohol Dragster competition.

Meyer has been working hard during the off season to build existing partnerships and promote new ones. Clevite stepping up to an Associate Partnership with the Randy Meyer Racing team allows them to showcase their exceptional promotional and media capabilities provided to their partners on a much larger scale.

Megan Meyer’s A/Fuel Dragster and the other Randy Meyer Racing vehicles have trusted Clevite rings and bearings in their engine program, depending on the quality and precision of Clevite Engine Products in their high horsepower dragsters.

They are increasing their media and promo efforts and believe we are the best fit to help them out. We have used their bearings and rings for years and are very happy with the performance of their products.” — Megan Meyer

MAHLE is a leading international development partner and supplier to the automotive industry. With its products for combustion engines and their peripherals as well as solutions for electric vehicles, the group addresses all the crucial issues related to the powertrain and air conditioning technology—from engine systems and components to filtration to thermal management. In 2015, the group generated sales of approximately EUR 11.5 billion with around 76,000 employees and is represented in 34 countries with over 170 production locations.

“MAHLE has a long tradition in motorsports including Clevite, the most recognized brand engine in the world,” says Bill McKnight, Marketing Team Lead for MAHLE Aftermarket Inc. “We have the opportunity to support racers from time to time and choose to support both those with long careers as well as what we feel are the best and brightest young people in motorsports. Megan Meyer is a great example of the latter. She’s smart, articulate, engaged and professional. With a large fan base, great driving skills and a solid work ethic, how could we ask for more!”

The 2017 season begins at the NHRA Gatornationals event in March for Megan Meyer and will be her first race of the year with new associate affiliation with Clevite.