Women in Racing

Slow start for Erica Enders in Pomona

February 15, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Slow start for Erica Enders in Pomona

After a slow start for Erica Enders in Pomona, the two-time Pro Stock World Champion didn’t love her 2016 Valentine’s Day so much. Enders lost in the first round of the 56th Annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals, the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season opener. The champ shook the tires at the hit and almost immediately had to abort the run in her Elite Motorsports/Mopar Dodge Dart.

Enders could only watch as Elite teammate Jeg Coughlin Jr. sailed on to the victory, but she is far from distraught. Class-revolutionizing changes in the off-season by the NHRA including a manufacturer switch to Dodge and an NHRA-mandated change to fuel-injected engines limited to 10,500 rpm — completely changed the Pro Stock program for 2016. The Elite team is starting from scratch on their program, and Enders knows this is just the beginning for the World Championship team.

We’ve got to keep a positive attitude and keep the mindset that this is only a beginning for us,” Enders said. “We just finished putting our motors together on Wednesday in Phoenix. We can only go up from here, and I know that with all my heart. It is a very tough pill to swallow. I hate losing, I hate losing first round. If there’s any consolation to it, at least it was to my teammate.”

Enders qualified No. 9 in Pomona, the first time since the Sonoma, Calif., event last August that she qualified outside of the top half of the field.

We’ve got to do some work with these race cars,” Enders said. “That run marks run No. 15 under our belts, and that’s nothing, considering I had over 300 runs on my other car. We’ll learn it, we’ll get it, and we’ll be back to the top — you bet your butt.”

Enders had tempered her expectations for Pomona, knowing the new Dart and Mopar engine is early in its development by Elite Performance, but she didn’t expect such tire shake against Coughlin.

The track was way different today than it was the whole weekend,” Enders said. “We run behind the fuel cars, and they did zero track prep, which is pretty detrimental to our class. Of course, being first out doesn’t help, but that was our own fault. All things considered, coming here we figured we’d be a middle-of-the-pack car, and that’s exactly what we were. We’re going to go home and go to work on this stuff. We’ve got a couple weeks until Phoenix, and in between Phoenix and Gainesville there’s another couple of weeks. I fully expect by the Gatornationals to be a lot more competitive. We’ll keep moving in the right direction.”

Courtney Force is ready to start fresh in 2016

February 10, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

The off season was incredibly long and Courtney Force is ready to start fresh, putting a tough 2015 season behind her. After wrapping up her toughest season since her 2012 Funny Car debut, her Traxxas team weathered a win-less season, with 15 first-round losses that left her outside the top 10 for the Countdown to the Championship. Though they struggled, Force did qualify on the pole at two events (Pomona and Charlotte) and had a runner-up finish in Norwalk, Ohio. She posted a new career-best ET of 3.933 seconds in qualifying at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway at the end of the year. She was able to maintain a firm hold on the record for most Funny Car wins in a season by a female (four) and most Funny Car wins overall for a female Funny Car driver with seven career tour victories.

I think I’ve become mentally stronger as a driver going into my 5th year of racing and have learned through all the ups and downs. I think any mistake you make as a driver is only for the better and you can take some much away from that if you choose to look at it with a positive attitude, and that’s what I’m doing this season,” said Force.

Force is ready to start fresh with her Traxxas team for the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing series tour, and already is showing optimistic improvements. During the Nitro Spring Training pre-season test sessions at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, the team worked through some issues on the car in the first few days, leading Courtney to impressive full pulls which led to a career-best 3.890 seconds at 323.89 mph.

This season we are pushing hard to get our car back in that top 10 since we missed that opportunity last year. We are going to fight hard at every race with that as our primary focus. Obviously we have high hopes of having a race car to chase that championship, but we are going to take this one race at a time. We have a couple new guys on my team and have Dan Hood and Ronnie Thompson as co-crew Chiefs this year so I am eager to get started!”

The season opener will be the first event for new Traxxas Chevy Camaro SS Funny Car co-crew chiefs Dan Hood and Ronnie Thompson at the Force Family’s home track in Pomona. Both Hood and Thompson were assistant Crew Chiefs until this year.

I think our team made some huge progress this past week during testing in Phoenix. I think we have a better handle on this car than we did last year going into Pomona so that is giving us some confidence. When we ran my career best during testing and the car showed some consistency on the runs, it made me really excited for the upcoming season,” said Force.

Courtney Force and the Traxxas team hope to defend their 2015 pole with a strong start at the 56th Annual Circle K Winternationals in front of their home crowd and fans at Auto Club Raceway. This year also marks the 50th Anniversary for the Funny Car class. Qualifying will begin Thursday, February 11th, with sessions on Friday and Saturday. Eliminations will begin Sunday, February 14th.

Event Information:
Auto Club Raceway at Pomona
2780 Fairplex Drive
Pomona, CA 91768
NHRA.com
Elevation: 1,100 feet

Tickets: nhra.com/tickets; 800-884-NHRA (6472)
Radio Frequency: 105.3 FM

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!

Enjoyed this article? You can keep up with Harli’s career and hundreds of other women in racing by subscribing to receive free Horsepower & Heels news updates.

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

Brittany Force pre-season NHRA interview

February 5, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

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!

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.

Women in Racing

Slow start for Erica Enders in Pomona

Harli White 2016 Season Schedule

SCCA US Majors Western Conference Season Opener

Watch the SCCA winner’s interview with Abbate: http://www.scca.com/videos/2025748 SoPac/Cal Club Annual Awards Banquet

Rain-soaked podium on Sunday

Saturday NHRA Nitro Spring Training Leaderboard

Top 10 overall | Nitro Spring Training

Brittany Force pre-season: anticipation runs high

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

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

SoPac/Cal Club Annual Awards Banquet