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Celebrating, promoting and supporting female racers and women in motorsports

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Guide to Racing

You are here: Home / Archives for Guide to Racing

Motorsports Marketing Seminar – Promoting You and Your Race Team

January 17, 2017 //  by Horsepower & Heels

Motorsports Marketing SeminarNeeding some pointers on how to help accelerate your brand and race team promotional efforts for the upcoming season?  

Car Chix Founder & President, Jeanette DesJardins will be presenting the Motorsports Marketing Seminar – Promoting You and Your Race Team during the 10th annual Race and Performance Expo on Saturday, February 25th, 2017.     The Digital Marketing Expert will lead an information-rich seminar on maximizing marketing efforts for your race team, avoiding common mistakes in the digital landscape and actionable tips and techniques to use in your 2017 motorsport marketing plan.   

The Motorsport Marketing seminar will include pertinent information on the use of Social Media, the importance of professional press releases, best practices for crafting successful sponsorship proposals, and the necessary off-track work involved for generating team success on and off the track surface.

Moderator Jeanette DesJardins is the founder and president of popular women in motorsports trademark and website CarChix.com; as well as the founder and president of Crank It Media, an internet marketing company specializing in the motorsports, automotive, industrial and entertainment industries.   DesJardins recently was a featured panelist during the ‘Women in Motorsports’ Seminar at the industry-staple 2016 Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show in Indianapolis, IN.   She has earned accolades for Outstanding Leadership in Women’s Motorsports by Memphis International Raceway, and the President’s Award from Cordova International Raceway for her contributions to the sport and advancing women in automotive.  

Motorsports Marketing Seminar – Promoting You and Your Race Team

Date: Saturday, February 25th
Time: 3:15pm – 3:55pm
Location: Prosperity Room, Renaissance Convention Center

The Race and Performance Expo takes place at the Schaumburg Renaissance Center February 25th -26th in Schaumburg, Illinois and is open to the public.   The Motorsport Marketing Seminar will be held Saturday afternoon, from 3:15pm-3:55pm in the Prosperity Room.  All expo seminars are free of charge to expo attendees.

Mark your calendars for this informative event.  –  Click to RSVP to the Motorsports Marketing Seminar 

Category: Conferences/EventsTag: Guide to Racing, Jeanette DesJardins, Sponsors, Women Racing

Teresa’s Garage Radio Show

December 28, 2016 //  by Horsepower & Heels

Teresa's Garage Radio ShowFeaturing the latest news from women in motorsports and female car enthusiasts worldwide, Teresa’s Garage Radio Show is a weekly live radio show geared towards women in the automotive industry and motorsports.    Listeners can tune in live every Tuesday from 2 – 3 PM PST on 1180 AM KCKQ in the local Reno area or online via the Teresa’s Garage Radio Live Stream.   Live comments and questions are welcomed and listeners are encouraged to call-in to the show toll free at 844-790-8255.  

Teresa’s Garage Radio Show Hosts

Teresa's Garage Host: Teresa AquilaThe show is hosted by Teresa Aquila, a veteran mechanic, educator, public speaker, and a 20-year columnist for the Happy Herald from Boca Raton, FL.    Her mechanical career has spanned 41 years working on everything from Porsches, Heavy Equipment and classic vehicles which she owns and has personally restored.   She created Teresa’s Garage Radio Show as a way to encourage and inspire women in motorsports and automotive.   Features include interviews with women involved in the motorsports world: racers, professionals, crewmembers and more.   The show covers technical info, auto and motorsports news and other enthusiast related pieces. 

Earlier in 2016, the show teamed with popular women’s motorsport website, CarChix.com and founder Jeanette DesJardins played show co-host.    Teresa is now adding new co-hosts Staci Segura and Nikkita Martino, two of CarChix’s featured Calendar girls for the 2017 line-up, and regularly welcomes guests to the show.

Teresa’s Garage Online

In addition to the weekly radio show, the Teresa’s Garage website is a wealthy of useful information for car enthusiasts and includes articles filled with technical tips, automotive history and news, a car show directory, business directory, reviews and much more.

Empowering Women One Wheel At A Time, dedicated to women who dare to be different and who desire to become more knowledgeable on caring for their car.”

Teresa's GarageWant to be featured on Teresa’s Garage?

The show is always on the look out for unique stories about women in the field and other news.   Have a story idea or want to be featured on the show?   Contact Teresa’s Garage via email.   

Check out more on Teresa’s Garage Radio Show

  • Website:  Teresa’s Garage
  • Facebook:  Teresa’s Garage
  • Twitter:  @TeresasGarage
  • YouTube:  Teresa’s Garage

Category: Featured SiteTag: Guide to Racing, Jeanette DesJardins, Staci Segura, Teresa Aquila, Women Racing

Changing the Stereotypes About Female Racers

June 24, 2016 //  by Scott Huntington

STEREOTYPES about female racersStereotypes About Female Racers

Do a Google search for “female race drivers.” Go ahead. See anything… interesting? Of the ten results on the first page, these are some of the headlines you might notice:

  • Top 10 Hottest Female Race Car Drivers Around the World
  • 8 Female Racers Hotter Than Danica Patrick
  • 10 Most Appealing Female Race Car Drivers
  • World’s Top Ten Hottest Female Race Car Drivers
  • The 10 Hottest Female Race Car Drivers

An astounding half of the articles are about looks, and four of five use the word “hottest.”

It’s 2016. Women fight alongside their male counterparts in many of the world’s military forces, run major corporations and hold powerful positions in global politics — yet in many ways the racing world still treats women as second-class citizens.

Why is it that the motorsports community takes this outdated view of its female participants, and what can be done to change it?

A Slow Start

Motorsports started life as a male-dominated institution. People raced cars since the late 1800s, before women’s rights were even brought into question. It took decades for women to gain access to racing venues. Having managed that much, female racers face an image crisis that must be overcome to attract new young drivers.

In recent years, Danica Patrick has become the face of female racers. Patrick has demonstrated her skills in 2013 earning pole position and a top-10 finish at the Daytona 500, but her starring role in sexually charged GoDaddy advertising campaigns has been critiqued as a step backwards by her peers.

Finding a Following

But a new generation of women drivers are earning the respect of young followers by winning without seeking the attention of FHM. British driver Pippa Mann raced the Indianapolis 500 for her 5th time this year. NHRA champion drag racer John Force’s daughters, Courtney and Brittany Force, have risen to stardom in the world of drag racing, with Courtney taking home the 2016 Spring Nationals trophy. The win marked 5-in-a-row for female NHRA drag racers.

We’re competing with the guys and winning races against them,” says Force. “I think that’s making a huge impact on young fans who are watching and tuning in and seeing these girls in 10,000-horsepower cars going rounds and winning.”

Holding the Line

Indeed, wins and not just appearances are what is needed for women to be taken seriously — and for young fans to get excited about the prospect of going racing. However, the boys still hold an unfair advantage in most racing disciplines.

When there are only a handful of competitors representing your gender, the odds are stacked. This dynamic isn’t going away anytime soon, but it’s important that females realize their place in the racing world out of their own desire to compete, rather than be forced into the sport and then misappropriated as eye-candy.

I think it absolutely is possible for women to do well in F1,” says Formula 3.5 racer Beitske Visser. “Of course it would be nice if we had more girls on the grid. But it has to be something they want for themselves.”

What else can you do?

There are a number of ways to get involved, and to help change the stereotypes of female racers. It starts with focusing on gender equality as a whole, and then bringing the same ideas into racing. Both males and female can make a difference.

  • Start paying more attention to female racers. This very website your on is a great place to get started, as it’s filled with tons of great resources and articles.
  • Watch your mouth. Pay attention to the language you’re using, and avoid backhanded compliments like “she’s a pretty awesome driver for a girl” or “I didn’t expect her to win.”
  • Get involved online. Start commenting on forums and blogs. Don’t get overly “social justice warrior” on people, but be kind and spread the word about the great things females are doing.
  • Find unique ways to participate. There are tons of ways you can get involved in racing and car culture. For example, check out this awesome video Shelbie Rassler created to win a college scholarship. She made an entire song just using the sounds of a Mustang:

Source: CJ Pony Parts

Or, become a racer yourself. What better way to show that girls can race than to get out there and prove it?

The world is changing when it comes to stereotypes about female racers. Unfortunately, it still has a long way to go, but a little help can make a big impact.

Category: Featured, Personal DevelopmentTag: Guide to Racing, Women Racing

Burning Out Burning Rubber: Stress Relief Strategies for Women in Motorsports

January 15, 2016 //  by Paula Davis-Laack

Paula Davis-Laack
Guest Blogger, Paula Davis-Laack Internationally published stress relief and resiliency expert.

I need to start this article with a confession. When I was asked to start blogging for Horsepower and Heels, only two names came to mind when I thought of women and motorsports: Danica Patrick and Lyn St. James. Watching the Indy 500 each year was religion in my family, and my dad is a diehard car nut (muscle cars from the 1960’s to be exact). His enthusiasm for cars spilled over to me, and I often joined him at car shows. When my dad took me drag racing for the first time at Great Lakes Dragaway in Union Grove, WI, I pulled my first holeshot and was hooked. Competition in any form is part of my DNA.

Fast forward a few years, and I’m now so excited to learn more about how many women are involved in motorsports at all levels. I burned out toward the end of my law practice, so I am keenly aware of the toll stress can take in a high pressure, high- stakes environment.

5 Tips to improve stress relief for women in motorsportsMotorsports is both high pressure and high-stakes, so here are five strategies to help you manage the stress:

Job craft. Job crafting is like Spanx for the workplace. It’s simply a way for you to re-shape your job to better suit your strengths, values and interests. Once you identify your values, strengths, and interests, you can think of new ways to expand or alter the tasks you perform, how you relate to your colleagues, and/or how you think about your job as a whole. For example, are you just a member of the pit crew or are you a trailblazer in a tough profession? That simple shift in how you think about your work can have ripple effects in terms of energy and engagement. Most people don’t land the perfect job – they have to mold it into something that is perfect for them.

Give yourself some credit – you’re “building the plane as you fly it.” When I started working for the Army teaching and training resilience skills to soldiers, launching the program was more important to the Army than making sure every single skill was perfectly designed. Army officials said of the program, “We are building the plane as we fly it.” When my mom was a teenager, her high school didn’t offer sports programs for girls because Title IX didn’t exist. Both of my grandmothers did factory work because getting an education beyond high school wasn’t emphasized, and even if they had gone to college, their professional options were limited. That’s not the case today. Women have many opportunities to pursue their educational and professional goals, but the problem is that we often don’t have a model to follow – we’re “building the plane as we fly it.” This is especially true of women in motorsports – you are true pioneers. Media messages, societal expectations, and the pressure we put on ourselves (and each other) have resulted in an impossible standard – “do it all and do it perfectly.” As a result, most high-achieving women I know are exhausted and burned out.

Carmen JordaDetermine your “Giver Type.” In his book Give and Take, Dr. Adam Grant offers a unique perspective on success and classifies people as givers, takers, or matchers based on their styles of social interaction. Takers like to get more than they give, givers are other-focused and prefer to pay attention to what other people need from them, and matchers are a blend, wanting an equal balance between giving and taking. Dr. Grant has identified different sub-sets of givers, two of which are “selfless” givers and “otherish” givers. Selfless givers give their time and energy without regard to their own needs (hey – it’s 3pm and I haven’t eaten yet today!). Selfless giving, in the absence of recovery, becomes overwhelming and can drive burnout. Otherish givers, however, find a way to balance giving with their own self-interest and self-care. As you probably guessed, selfless givers are more likely to burn out. You can determine your giving style at www.giveandtake.com.

Increase your diet of positive emotions. In the past two decades, positive emotions have emerged as a key element in building stress resilience. Positive emotions promote pro-social behavior (causing you to seek out help from others), spark health coping strategies (like becoming more solution-focused when under pressure), and reverse the negative physiological impact of stress. Studies show that high-performing individuals tend to experience positive to negative emotions at a ratio of about 3:1; for high-performing teams, that ratio is closer to 6:1. You can get your positivity ratio at www.positivityratio.com.

Angelle Sampey look of determinationTurn your inner critic into your inner coach. This version of a Mark Twain quote so accurately captures how your inner critic can get in the way: “I’ve had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened.” Whether you drag race, are part of a pit crew, or are behind the scenes, being a flexible, accurate, and thorough thinker under stress and pressure is a foundational skill set for resilience; however, thinking traps, your core beliefs about your life experiences, and runaway thinking, or catastrophizing, can sabotage even the best intentions. The good news is that with some simple techniques, you can retrain your brain so that your inner critic either shows up less frequently or with less intensity. I have a free worksheet to get you started.

Beyoncé calls her alter ego Sasha Fierce. If I had an alter ego, it would be some version of all of you. Motorsports needs more badass women like yourselves involved in all facets of the business. My mission is to help you continue to kick butt in this tough profession because your time, energy and talents are so needed.

© 2015. All rights reserved.

Category: Featured, Personal Development, Women in Racing ResourcesTag: Guide to Racing, Personal Development, Women Racing

Women in Racing Photos – Creating an Image

October 10, 2015 //  by Eddie Maloney

So you’re ready to promote your racing career, and need to put your best image out there.   Having the right image is often over looked and underestimated for women in racing photos.  

International Published Portrait and Racing Photographer Eddie Maloney of www.fasteddiesimagery.com provides some important tips on building a good racing image in photo.

Keep it classy

Women in Racing Photo
An image has the ability to portray you wordlessly. Strong, Capable, Determined, Beautiful.

Unfortunately, according to social media,  the more revealing you are in photos, the more attention you will get.   Well, usually that’s true, but what kind of attention is it getting you?  Is it helping you or hurting you in the big picture?

In racing or in anything for that matter, potential sponsors are looking at your social media websites. Do not be caught with photos of you hanging around the pits with a bunch of alcohol or posing half naked. Yes, you may be beautiful but beauty runs within.  People do judge a book by its cover and inappropriate photos will get you dismissed immediately.   Think about the photos that you are pictured in.  Are they representative of the brand you are hoping to be associated with?   There are plenty of ways to be feminine and beautiful without crossing the line of classless.   Choose your image wisely.

Professional Photographer Eddie Maloney
Hiring a professional photographer to help with your racing image is a really good investment in your career.

Hire a Professional

If you are serious about your career, toss the selfies out.  I love my iPhone but you’ll need to find the right photographer for the job.   A selfie isn’t going to sell yourself as a professional to a sponsor.   I do not believe in perfection, nor do I believe in a perfect exposure. Perfectionism yields no creativity. I have an advantage over most photographers because I work in a wide variety of  photography scenes, to include working in racing for two decades now.

When it comes to finding the right photographer, find someone that thinks outside the box and shares your vision. If you haven’t worked with a particular photographer, bring an escort and if possible meet prior to the shoot. Check his or her credentials and never hesitate to ask for references.

Your typical photo shoot starring your helmet and race suit are old and outdated, do something different. Show everyone how and why you are different.  Remember, you aren’t the only out there competing for a sponsor.  You need to put 100 percent into to everything you do, and your image is no different.

People will know whether your photos came from a cell phone or a real camera. Cell phone photos tell someone that you aren’t that serious or committed so why should someone else choose to invest in you, if you don’t invest in yourself?

What image are YOU trying to create for yourself in the motorsports space?

Category: Women in Racing ResourcesTag: Guide to Racing, Press, Women Racing

Women’s Helmet Review

October 8, 2015 //  by Horsepower & Heels

We all know that when it comes to protective safety wear, being in a male-dominated sport can have its disadvantages as a woman.   These items are typically designed for men, and there isn’t much information out there on how each of them actually fit and function for women.    After the success of our Women’s Fire Suit Review, we decided to continue the series onto the next critical component common to racers:   Women’s Helmet Review.

We again reached out to our network of fellow female racers and women in motorsports for their feedback on Women’s Racing Helmets.   Each woman provided her input on their helmet’s weight, comfort, quality, and overall satisfaction on a scale from 1-5, with 1 being completely dissatisfied and 5 being completely satisfied.

Bell

Renee-Dupuis-helmetHelmet:  Bell RS7 | Snell SA2010 and FIA8858-2010 certified

Reviewed by:  Renee Dupuis |  NASCAR Modifieds Driver

WEIGHT: 5 star ratingCOMFORT:  5 star ratingQUALITY:  5 star ratingOVERALL: 5 star rating

Renee’s Comments:  “Fabulous helmet – Bell fits me better than other brands, so I’ve used them exclusively for years.”


Sara-Price-HelmetHelmet:  Bell Moto 9 | DOT   Snell M2015

Reviewed by:  Sara Price |  Professional Motocross Supercross Racer

WEIGHT: 5 star ratingCOMFORT:  4 star ratingQUALITY:  5 star ratingOVERALL: 5 star rating

Sara’s Comments: “Bell having a long track record with safety on their product, I would never hesitate to choose any of their product! I mainly use the Moto 9 but when I have to use a Auto specific helmet I happily choose the BR1! They are build very well and high end and feel safe with my brain inside one!”


McKenna-Haase-HelmetHelmet:  Bell RS7 Carbon | Snell SA2010 and FIA8858-2010 certified

Reviewed by:  McKenna Haase |  Dirt Sprint Car Driver

WEIGHT: 5 star ratingCOMFORT:  4 star ratingQUALITY:  5 star ratingOVERALL: 5 star rating

McKenna’s Comments:  “When I first received my RS7, I felt it was uncomfortable due to the pressure it applied to my forehead. However, I talked to the employees at Bell, and they had me send it back so they could work on it. Within two days, they had reshaped my helmet perfectly and it has fit great ever since. I recently flipped my sprint car violently five times end over end and walked away without any brain injury.”


G-Force

Tarra-Springstoh-HelmetHelmet:  G-Force Pro Eliminator | Snell SA2010

Reviewed by:  Tarra Springstroh | Asphalt Circle track driver

WEIGHT: 4 star ratingCOMFORT:  5 star ratingQUALITY:  5 star ratingOVERALL: 5 star rating

Tarra’s Comments: “Love my gforce helmet! Got a new one for 2016 which is the carbon fiber!”


Krista-Elyse-HelmetHelmet:  G-Force Pro Eliminator | Snell SA2010

Reviewed by:  Krista Elyse | NMRA Drag Racing Driver

WEIGHT: 5 star ratingCOMFORT:  5 star ratingQUALITY:  5 star ratingOVERALL: 5 star rating

Krista’s Comments:  “This helmet saved me from severe head trauma during my crash this season that totaled my race car. I walked away with a minor concussion instead of something worse, due to smacking my head so hard on the front of the 10 point roll cage. I am extremely satisfied and would purchase the helmet again. Proof that you don’t have to buy an $800 helmet to be sufficiently protected.”


Impact

Sunny-Hobbs-HelmetHelmet:  Impact Super Sport | Snell SA2010

Reviewed by:  Sunny Hobbs | Road/Sport/Stockcar Racer

WEIGHT: 3 star ratingCOMFORT:  4 star ratingQUALITY:  5 star ratingOVERALL: 4 star rating

Sunny’s Comments: “This helmet fits the bill for me. It’s snug and comfortable, and works well with my Hans. The padding around my face is firm which gives it a good fit, but the fabric is still soft and pliable. My peripheral vision is great. The chin strap rings tend to twist sometimes which is cumbersome,but overall it’s a good quality helmet.”


Simpson

Elaine-Larsen-HelmetHelmet:  Simpson Carbon Drag Bandit | Snell SA2010

Reviewed by:  Elaine Larsen | IHRA Jet Drag Racer

WEIGHT: 5 star ratingCOMFORT:  5 star ratingQUALITY:  5 star rating

OVERALL: 5 star rating

Elaine’s Comments:  “Simpson is the best when it comes to fitting women in Motor Sports. They go the extra mile to make sure that the fit is perfect as we don’t fit regular sizes. They do this at no extra charge to the customer. I have had extra padding installed in my helmets as my face is thinner than a man and the strap able to be pulled tighter. They make safety and comfort their first priority. They also make sure you look really good wearing their products.”


Janette-Thornley-HelmetHelmet:  Simpson Outlaw Bandit | Snell SA2010

Reviewed by:  Janette Thornley | Nitro Harley Drag Racer

WEIGHT: 5 star ratingCOMFORT:  5 star ratingQUALITY:  5 star ratingOVERALL: 5 star rating

Janette’s Comments:  “In motorcycle drag racing, it’s important to have a larger opening to see through above the eyes. This helmet is sufficient to get the job done but another 1/2″ would be even better. The fit is perfect and feels good when wearing it but again, once on the motorcycle and in the stage position, I have to push the chin part of the helmet up some in order to see the staging tree. At that point, the back of the helmet can pinch my ponytail but once the adjustment is complete I’m set and the helmet is not a distraction and I’ve never had an issue.”


CarlyJoEllingson_HelmetHelmet:  Simpson Bandit| Snell SA2015

Reviewed by:  Carly Jo Ellingson | Super Pro Drag Racer

WEIGHT: 5 star ratingCOMFORT:  5 star ratingQUALITY:  4 star rating

OVERALL: 5 star rating

Carly Jo’s Comments:  “I love my Simpson Bandit helmet! I feel that it was a very smart choice and I’m happy I made the switch a number of years ago, after making the decision to move up through the ranks of NHRA drag racing! My only complaint would be that after several years of use in the scorching heat of our summer race seasons, I noticed that the padding adhesive was actually seeping through the padding. With that being said, I still recommend the Simpson Bandit to other racers, and I am thankful for its strong build! That helmet saved my life during a rollover accident in 2013, so I will definitely stand by it and represent it as living proof of its excellent quality!


 

Stilo

Cindi Lux HelmetHelmet:  Stilo ST4 GT | Snell SA2010

Reviewed by:  Cindi Lux | Road Racer/Instructor

WEIGHT: 5 star ratingCOMFORT:  5 star ratingQUALITY:  5 star ratingOVERALL: 5 star rating

Cindi’s Comments:  “I have worn many different types of helmets over my career. This Stilo is one of the best in all areas. Comfort, safety and features.”

Do you have Comments/Notes to add to this discussion?  Make sure you comment below and give us your feedback!

Category: Books & Reviews, FeaturedTag: Carly Jo Ellingson, Cindi Lux, Guide to Racing, Janette Thornley, Krista Elyse, McKenna Haase, Renee Dupuis, Sara Price, Sunny Hobbs, Tarra Springstroh, Women Racing

# Women Racing Hashtags #

October 7, 2015 //  by Horsepower & Heels

women racing hashtags#ALLTHEHASHTAGS

It might seem like a silly practice, but how you are tagging your social media posts is important for your visibility and growing your fanbase.   Hashtags have become critical to social media interaction.   They are how new followers are introduced to your account, how cross-marketing platforms begin, and how sneaky search engines are finding your content in the social mash-up.

Choosing good Women Racing Hashtags for Growth

Hashtags can be an easy way to drive new traffic interested in your activities.   But what are the best terms to use?   Because each of them are very specific search terms, there could be thousands of similar hashtags that fit your audience.    The problem with that is, it waters down the chances that you will be seen greatly.    Because #WomenRacing and #WomeninRacing are two different terms, you may be missing the mark with the terms you choose.   Do your research!  See what tags are already out there and popular, and tag accordingly.

I polled a few women in racing to see what terms they used most.  There doesn’t seem to be much consistency in the terms used to tag women in motorsports activities.   These are a few of the more popular terms I’ve found #WomenRacing #WomeninRacing #WomeninMotorsports #WomenOfMotorsports #femaledrivers #FemaleRacers #RacerGirls #CarChix #WomenWhoRace #GirlsWhoRace #GirlPower – the list could go on and on.

In general, its best to keep it simple, short and most importantly- consistent.   Long tags won’t be very commonly used or search-friendly.    Although it can be tempting to be thorough and list all variations and varieties of tags with your message,  a laundry list of tags will quickly be ignored and your message will be drowned in the pool of tags.   Test out your hashtags and monitor which ones seem to get the most visibility through insights or analytics.   Once you’ve determined which ones do best, refine your list to include those only most relevant to your efforts.

Categories of Women Racing Hashtags

  1. Event Tags–  Check to see if the event you are participating has an official event tag, and make sure you use it.  That will help you connect with fans at the event, and keep everyone updated on your activities if you post real-time trackside updates.   #USNats #Indy500 #Daytona500 are a few examples of event terms.  Going to a tradeshow?  Those are some of the best ways to connect and find out show-related happenings!   Don’t forget to tag and follow along with the show’s main hashtag.   #SEMA #PRI  #NAIAS
  2. Racing Series Tags–  Tagging your posts with your sanction is another way to engage fans in your genre of motorsport.    #ARCA #NHRA #IndyCar
  3. Racing Genre Tags–   Try using a more generalized tag to attract less familiar fans.   #DragRacing #OpenWheel #RoadRacing #OffRoad #StockCar #Rally
  4. Location Tags–  What facility are you racing at?   What city or landmark are you visiting?   Be sure to use the location tools to let people know where you’re at.  Checking into your favorite restaurants on the road gives an interesting perspective to fans trying to get to know you beyond the track.
  5. Movement Tags–  Supporting a cause or aligning with a particular movement?  Don’t forget to tag with terms of the movement #FightLikeAGirl #LikeAGirl  #EndCancer
  6. Current Event Tags–    Trending live current event happenings and global conversations that you take part in are great ways to be part of a larger discussion.  Often used to announce breaking news, these type conversations could be sensitive and urgent conversations such as natural disasters #HurricaneKatrina or maybe just of national interest like #IndependenceDay  or the #ElectionDay results.   A great way to see what is current is to check trending topics on each of the social networks.
  7. Create Your Own Tags–  Want to interact with your fans?  Encourage them to use a custom-created tag that matches your initiative.   Hosting a fun Q&A social session with fans?  Indy racer Pippa Mann often encourages fans to #AskPippa on Twitter for a cool interactive twist.   You can even help bring more value to your sponsors with traffic and metrics by creating a special promotion or contest tag for your sponsors #WinWithAerospace
  8. Social Tags– Play along with long-standing Hashtag Socials like the Follow Friday Twitter tag.  #FF is used to recommend some of your favorite twitter users, and allows reciprocal following and connecting.    #Followback and #photooftheday are other examples.

Following and Monitoring

Hashtagging isn’t a one-way road.  You can also search and monitor terms to use it to your advantage.    If you’re at an event and monitor the event’s hashtag, you may discover some neat happenings in other areas you maybe wouldn’t have been aware of otherwise.    You can also use it to find new fans to interact with by following others that post the same hashtag interests.

What hashtags do YOU post and follow?   Let us know in the comments below!

Category: Women in Racing ResourcesTag: Guide to Racing

I encourage you to try it

October 5, 2015 //  by Scott Marshall

Scott MarshallFor many years, I’ve been known as an encourager. I truly have faith that anyone can do anything they believe they can. They just have to believe in themselves.  I take this belief with me where ever I go, whether it’s when I’m with kids or adults, at work or at play. It doesn’t really matter to me. Being known as a supporter can get pretty tough sometimes. There are certain days that encouraging others can become very difficult or demanding. That’s when I really have to take my own advice. I’m sure you’ve had days just like this too.

Believing in Yourself

For many of us it’s really easy to encourage others. Telling them they did well or telling them they can do better the next time if they didn’t do so well this time. We often do that with our own family or friends and it seems to work well. Besides encouraging others, you must also encourage yourself. You’re probably the first person that needs to be encouraged but is often forgotten. Believing in yourself may seem easy enough, but there’s more to it than that. It’s not just sounding like the ‘Little Engine that could’ saying “I think I can – I think I can” that will allow you to reach your goals. It’s how you behave that makes the difference.

When I first began in road safety almost three decades ago, I wasn’t sure if I could do it. I had self-doubt, even though it was something I really wanted to do. I loved cars and I loved driving. Sound familiar? I was used to performing well at other levels and my expectations were high because of that. I had confidence. However, here I was trying something which was more difficult and more demanding than what I was used to doing. What could I do? Should I quit? Should I go back to doing what I was comfortable doing just because I was in a comfort zone or should I keep trying to get better and attempt to succeed at the higher level?

Setting Short Term Goals

As I kept trying to get better – and failing at it – I decided to change my philosophy. On a scale of 1 – 10 I was so used to receiving a 9 or 10, but now I was receiving a 2 or 3. My self-esteem was dropping rapidly. But then I had an epiphany. I temporarily lowered my expectations. Once my performance equaled my expectations, I slowly raised my expectations bit by bit until my performance finally got to that higher level. It’s easier for our self-esteem to stay positive if we can reach our short-term goals. If you set your goals too high, it can feel devastating and perhaps overwhelming to us.

Accepting Feedback

driverMy expertise comes in training driving instructors. Many people feel they can already drive well when I see them, so when I have to correct their driving, it can be hard for them to accept. They usually reply “But that’s not what I’m used to doing” or “I’ve never done it that way before”. Just because it’s different, doesn’t mean it’s wrong. That’s a big part of getting better. Accepting feedback from those who may know more about the subject than you do and making changes. At times, you’re going to need to swallow your pride a little bit.

We’ve all heard the saying “I learn from my mistakes”. Sometimes we need to forget those mistakes and move on. Learning from your mistakes often means you now know what not to do. It doesn’t necessarily mean you know what to do. Once you make a mistake in your learning process, instead of focusing on your mistake, focus on what you did well and what you need to do differently. Focusing on your mistakes reinforces those mistakes. It’s what you think about more and more and when you perform that same task again. You have a high chance to make those same mistakes again. They become the habit.

Focus on solutions

Instead, focus on the solutions. If you’re not sure what those solutions could be, ask advice from someone who knows more than you. Someone with more experience. Discussing what you’re doing is a good way to improve your knowledge and experience. Other people may have a different view of the same things. And remember, be patient with your skill development. It will take time to develop that new habit.

A skill is habitual. Doing something without giving it much thought makes it part of you. So many times we’ve heard the saying that “practice makes perfect”. That’s not exactly true. Practice makes permanent. In other words, practicing something the same way makes it into a habit. Practicing something the wrong way also makes it into a habit. It doesn’t mean it’s perfect. It just means you are consistent with doing it that way. Think of it this way; proper practice makes perfect. Don’t cut corners.

Many people say it can take roughly 21 days to make something into a habit. Other people may say it could take up to 30 days to do the same thing. However, since everyone’s brain is different, that can depend upon the individual. All I can say is keep doing what works. Day after day. Over and over again. Repetitively. Again and again.

Take the time to gain the knowledge and then practice that knowledge as often as you can. Eventually you’ll get there. With enthusiasm, proper instruction and commitment, anything is possible…just give it time.

I encourage you to try it.

Category: Women in Racing ResourcesTag: Guide to Racing

Racing after Motherhood

July 10, 2015 //  by Horsepower & Heels

There is one saying in life that couldn’t be any more profoundly true:  Life changes after Parenthood.

A thousand people will tell you this leading up to the birth of your first, but there is no way to prepare yourself for just HOW much better life is as a parent.   It’s as if there is a magical switch that is forever flipped the instant you hold that new life in your arms.  Nothing else remotely compares…. something 20-something racing me- who lived life just a quarter-mile at a time could never have fathomed.

Erica Ortiz and Beni ZI always knew I wanted my own family.  It was something I had figured would happen after I had accomplished what I set out to do in the racing world, pausing my career long enough to put a play-pen in a toterhome someday and live out the racing family lifestyle.   But life never goes as planned, and I nearly lost all of that with some health issues during the onset of the recession, around the time that the racing project also came to a screeching halt.

By grace of God, I was able to overcome all of that, and was blessed with a beautiful son in January 2013.   The past two and a half years have been some of the most amazing and rewarding of my life, watching him grow and prosper.   The most intrinsic of virtues, the maternal instinct, is a powerful force that completely changes your entire life, your thought process, and your entire being.    My son is the center of my universe, and the most important thing on the planet to me.

But somewhere buried deep, beyond the dirty diapers, the first words (it was Dah-Dah, darn it) the first steps and all of the memories I will cherish forever, a part of my heart was in there wondering where the rest of me disappeared to, and longed to row through some gears and pull that chute lever again.   I felt conflicted, guilty and ashamed.   Because suddenly  MOM-Erica had completely replaced cool Racing/Driven/Adventurous Erica without a trace, and despite the joy my son brings me, I felt the void where that a part of me was lost.

Then, I read an article on CNN written by another mother that suddenly made me aware of what I was going through inside.   The piece was titled “I am more than a Mom”, and it was an honest and candid confession of some of the very feelings that I was experiencing, only for me they were about racing.

Racing after Motherhood: Racing Mom

Before my son arrived, racing after motherhood wasn’t a question of IF, it was a matter of WHEN.  I naively believed that life could carry on much as it was; only there would be an awesome future crew chief around to train and share my racing love with.   I envisioned my son being the future generation of my own racing dynasty, and I was eager for him to be proud of his way-fast racing Mama.    I never really understood why racing mom’s would disappear suddenly- and sometimes completely- from the driver’s seat after childbirth.    Of course, until that fateful day.

Once he arrived, I realized that my racing family dream was much easier in theory than my no-sleep having, 8-weeks recovery to walk, clueless new-motherhood self would have imagined.  During those first few months, I had a hard time thinking about what day of the week it was, much less the depth of the dish on the pistons I needed to order for the racecar.     Really, the first year and half were:  ‘What Racecar?’

But, eventually that part of my heart that stayed lost in the shadows would begin to rev its little engine again.   At first, it was just a short blip of the throttle.   But by the time my son was getting old enough to start really taking an interest in cars (he could point out a Mustang on any road before he was two- and often by just the exhaust sound) that revving had become more of a sustained redline BRAP- sitting on the limiter waiting to launch.

But You’re a MOM Now

Beni Z first nitro
Beni Z’s first Nitro!

I will never forget the first time I mentioned to family that I wanted to start putting the Horsepower & Heels Racecar back together.   They looked at me with shock and a bit of disgust, telling me “But Erica, you are a MOM now.  What about Beni?”   I instantly felt very ashamed.   I love my son more than anything, but I felt like I shouldn’t have to abandon everything about who I was in order to be his Mom.   I know a lot of people will think it’s selfish, but after reading that article and really thinking about it, I want my son to know his fearless, strong and capable Racing Mom.

I know that racing is dangerous.  Believe me, before my son, I would have driven ANYTHING- on fire, sideways, and at 300+mph if you’d let me.    The very difficult realization you have when another life depends on you for their survival, is that the danger becomes very real.    Suddenly, the thought of jumping into a 230+mph Pro Mod has some difficult depth to it- if something were to happen, it’s not just me I’m hurting.

And just like that I understood… I finally saw the reasoning, whether spoken or not, why some women disappeared from the racing world after motherhood.   In all that I do to advocate Women in Racing, one subject I never could predict would be how differently parenthood affects women.   It’s a subject that I’ve just started to scratch the surface on recently (ladies, send me your comments!).   I’ve watched with interest how it affects women in our sport, and the impact to their careers.   Ashley Force, at the height of her career, announced her pregnancy and has remained semi-retired since.   Other ladies seem to balance their motherly duties and racing with no issues.   NHRA Funny Car driver, Alexis DeJoria, summed it up well:

There are a lot of female racers out there that are moms. Shirley was a mom when she started; Shelly Payne has kids, and she raced for a long time. I think it really depends on the team you’re with and the lifestyle you live. The Kalitta organization is very welcoming. They all have kids and I felt really comfortable bringing my daughter over. As long as you can find the balance, it’s not an issue. When you’re home, you’re with your children, and when you’re at the track it’s all about racing and focusing on getting down the track safely and successfully. It’s not easy, but as long as you can find that balance, it’s definitely doable.”

More than Just a Mom

All of this led me to question the core of the issue mentioned in the article.   For women, parenthood changes their priorities, their presence in the workforce, their identity.     A book I read discussed in depth about how women’s paths in the corporate world are often dictated by their choices in procreation, and how much futher behind in the corporate ladder a mother lags behind her non-child bearing coworkers or more simply- her male counterparts.

This led me to think about my racing counterparts.   Many of my racing competitors are fathers as well.   But when their children are born, does the same guilt and shame get assigned for wanting to continue in their passions?  I am sure they too view racing a little differently once they first hold their offspring in their arms, but where is the judgement for their decisions?

I weighed heavily on the pros and cons of returning to racing.   Tears would come to my eyes thinking of my son’s life if anything were to happen to me.   But then, this EXACT feeling would surface when crossing the Sunshine Skyway bridge in the rain, or in a close-call while riding my bike, and I realized, I can’t predict or protect him from LIFE happening.

Post-Partum Racing Mom

If anything, racing for me post-partum has been a more mature, more deliberate approach.  My reckless youth aside, I am much more mindful of the balance of life now more than ever.   Where I would cast aside so much of life to pursue racing before- at all costs, I understand now the value and importance of family first, and feel more grounded and steady than ever before.   It’s a slower process, but it is also one that is safer, more humbled, and definitely more appreciated than before.

Although the days of me taking that one-way ticket, on-fire, sideways and at over 300+mph are over, there is much to be said for the new me: a Multi-tasking, patient, deliberate, able to go through 26 hours of labor, compassionate, protective, FIERCE RACING MOM.

Beni's HarleyMy son asked just a few weeks after his second birthday if he could have a racecar of his own.   When I announced my return, he can spot his Mama’s racecar rendering online.   He races die-cast Mustangs all across the living room.   He rides a strider Harley Davidson just like his Mama and Daddy.   The apple doesn’t ever fall far from the tree.   Proof positive, you can leave the racing, but the racing never really leaves YOU.   It’s in your blood, and in your heart, (and apparently in the genes now).   I’m just picking up where I left off, and preparing for the day when it’s HIS turn to show Mom what he’s learned.

To all my racing parents, past and present competitors…. how has parenthood changed YOU?    Let’s hear it below in the comments!

Category: Featured, Horsepower & Heels BlogTag: Erica Ortiz, Guide to Racing, Horsepower & Heels, Women Racing

Girls Torque Collector Cards

March 2, 2015 //  by Horsepower & Heels

GirlsTorque.comI came across a great opportunity for Women in Motorsports or supporters of ladies who race that I wanted to share.

GirlsTorque.com is a long-running website based in Australia that is dedicated to helping girls succeed in motor sports.   Originally launched in 2001 as the Australian Women in Motorsports organization, it quickly took off outside of just Australia, and is now focused on educating and sharing the cause worldwide.

Girls Torque Collector Cards

GirlPower Collector CardsOne of the unique ideas the site manages is their Girls Torque Racing Collector Cards.    These cards are similar to other sport trading cards, and features a different female racer on each card; with photos, quotes and stats on her career.   The cards were created to highlight and promote women racing, celebrating their successes and careers first in Australia, but now expanding to include women racing on the global level.   Cards are arranged into Circuit, Speedway and Drag Racing boxed set collections.  Fans, friends and family can purchase by collector series or individually,  online or at retailers in Western Australia.

Free Feature for Women Racing

Girl Torque Racing Collector CardsHere’s one of the greatest parts about the program:  it’s FREE for Women in Racing to be included.    It is great free exposure to a collective audience already supporting your common cause- women competing in motorsports.    Getting your name out there and celebrating your career and successes is valuable for any driver.  It helps reinforce sponsor value, opens the door to other opportunities, and unites you with the movement that continues to build for women in racing.

A lot of racers have hero cards they hand out at the track for fans.   Those who do, understand that it isn’t cheap to have those designed and printed.   Professional designers can charge several hundred dollars for a hero card and color printing on hero-card heavy stock paper can add-up expense quickly.  Girls Torque has made it extremely easy to be included, offering an online form that takes just a few minutes to complete.

The form asks:

  • Motorsports Category
  • Name
  • Quote
  • Class/Competition Division
  • Race Number
  • Home Track
  • Race car Description
  • Racing History/Achievements

It also allows you to upload your own head shot and action shot (photos that you have the rights to use legally) for use on the card.    Once submitted, you will be included in the next collection for your series.   No cost or obligation for you to buy for inclusion.   For those that would would like, you can even order extra cards for yourself to distribute to your own fans!

Sign up for Girls Torque cards

Don’t miss out, make sure you fill out the form to be included in the next set of collector cards!

Category: Women in Racing, Women in Racing ResourcesTag: Guide to Racing, Women Racing

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