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Sex sells, or does it? Courtney Force controversy examined.

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Nothing like a little skin to get the controversy rolling.    This one I’ve had my eye on since it was announced, waiting anxiously to see what reaction it generates.

Bold and Artful or Distasteful?

Courtney Force ESPN Body Issue

The Body issue is a yearly project that ESPN Magazine produces where it showcases various athletes in poses reminiscent of their sport genre, totally and completely nude.   The idea, is that you see and appreciate the exceptional physique that these athletes have created with all of their hard work.

Many famous athletes have taken part over the years.   In the racing world, Helio Castronieves was among the athletes featured.   Two years ago, NHRA icon John Force was featured after his critical accident in Dallas.  The gritty spread showed John’s scars from the accident and the years of abuse he has seen in his career.

Courtney Force ESPN Magazine Body Issue But this year, John’s 25 year old daughter Courtney Force dons the cover of the ESPN Body Issue, and this has started a media frenzy backlash.   The issue has barely been out a week, and already the internet is swirling with commentary around her photo spread.      Some label it an “objectifying publicity stunt”, while others are appalled that their children’s role model would appear like this and called it a “huge lack of respect for the sport”.    The crowd is divided, with just as many quick to defend it as great exposure at the mainstream level as those condemning it a desperate and feeble marketing attempt.     The Body issue began in 2009, and has been a very popular edition for ESPN Magazine.   Yet despite coming from such a respected news outlet and its overall acceptance in the sports world, the racing community is up in arms about Courtney’s involvement.

Courtney Force Controversy

Courtney Force ESPN Mag Body Issue

Some very well respected, elite athletes make up the list of both past and present participants.    Household names such as NBA Center Dwight Howard,  NASCAR’s Carl Edwards,  Heismann winner Herschel Walker, speed skater Apolo Ohno, UFC’s John Jones among many.    The women include a wide range of athletes:  US Olympic Soccer Keeper Hope Solo, Track and Field’s Lolo Jones,  Tennis champ Serena Williams, Professional snowboarder Elena Hight, Roller Derby star Suzy Hotrod, the ENTIRE US Women’s Water Polo team, even a very pregnant olympic volleyball star Kerry Jennings Walsh.        Do each of these athletes catch near the amount of backlash?   Seemingly not.  So why is it such a problem with the drag racing community?

Public Image Scrutiny

Its a precarious line that women involved with motorsports walk.    On one hand, you are marketed and  heralded for being uniquely feminine in a masculine-dominated sport.   The media immediately sees a public interest story in the “pretty girl” behind the helmet, with driving and talent often taking a back seat.    The obvious advantage is that marketing partners see instant coverage, where women receive attention and press regardless of finishing order.  In a fiercely competitive and expensive arena like racing, drivers will use whatever assets they can to obtain sponsorship deals.

But there is a fine line to that.   The pretty-girl dressed up with her helmet photo collage has been played out time and time again.  (See, I’m guilty too.)     Posters of hot girls in front of high horsepower cars line the walls of shops and tool boxes across the country,  but put the girl DRIVING the car in that very same scene, and suddenly we have a problem.

Danica Patrick Maxim
Danica took endless heat for this bikini photo shoot.

This isn’t the first time this problem has presented itself.   Think back to this FHM spread with Danica Patrick.    To me, it looks great.  Hot girl, cool car, and added bonus that she can drive the wheels off of just about anything.   Yet, the release of this photo spread created a massive wake of those who felt it discredited her as a driver and made her just another “novelty”.

Specialty vs. Novelty

The attention gets even more critical once the initial story wears off.    Women then are subjected to microscope-like scrutiny, and pressures mount for every rookie mistake they make.  Danica had countless demanding her firesuit because she failed to win a race in her rookie IRL season.    When has any other rookie been subjected to that type of ruthless benchmark?

Remember Ashley Force’s Seattle incident?   It was her first pedal experience in a Funny Car, one of the most difficult vehicles to control in drag racing, and it got away from her while it was spinning the tires.   Any other driver would have been told to chalk it up as a learning experience and shake it off, but scores of people questioned her driving capabilities and were calling her a danger to all racers, and whether she even had enough upper body strength to control the car.

That leaves the women involved in racing a tremendous burden to bear:  you must constantly prove yourself over-qualified just to be present.    I have seen personally how women are first regarded as nothing but a novelty, not taken seriously and pushed aside with a pat on the head regardless of how much tenacity and talent possessed.

A Double-Edged Sword

The age-old question still applies:  why the double-standard for women in sports?    Courtney Force has more than proven herself in the NHRA Funny Car ranks.   She won races in an ultra-competitive class, was voted rookie of the year for her first year, and lead the points chase at several points this season.   Why, after all of that, is a photo spread calling to question whether she belongs in the sport of NHRA Drag Racing?

The answer is that the “Good Ole Boy Network” is alive and well, and very difficult to break.  Women often are passed up for much needed sponsor support.   Lack of sponsor support equals sub-par equipment.   Sub-par equipment results in lackluster performances, and lackluster performances equal lack of sponsorship dollars.    So the vicious circle lives on.   The idea behind coverage such as this is to break the circle, gain exposure for sponsors and thereby attract more support.

John Force Racing viewed the Body Issue as great coverage and exposure for their sponsors.   They asked each of their sponsors prior to her involvement if this was a decision they would approve of, and all signed off on the idea.  But what about other potential sponsors?

What do you think about the Courtney Force controversy?    

Was this a good choice for Courtney or could this potentially hurt her image?  Do you think that this will hurt her sponsorship quest in the future?  How will this impact her image in the long-run?

Comment below with your views!

Women in Racing Twitter List

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One of the great things about Twitter, is that it allows conversation to roll between racers and fans alike.

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Women in Racing Twitter List

Over the years, I’ve tried to organize a Women In Racing Twitter list, that allows followers to subscribe to and support women involved in racing.    There are ladies on this list involved in Drag Racing, NASCAR, Dirt Track, MX, Rally, and many other forms of motor sports.   More and more women are getting out there and hitting the track, and I think its really important to share these stories!

Whether you’re a supporter of women in motor sports, or a participant yourself, these stories need to be shared to inspire and encourage others out there.   Keep up with all the latest women in racing tweets.   Take a moment and subscribe to the list:  https://twitter.com/HorsepowerHeels/women-racing

The great news is, this is an ever-growing list, so if you see some I’ve missed, comment below with their twitter @ handle, and I’ll be happy to add them on!

Finding a racing mentor

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One of the most valuable things that I’ve acquired in my racing career has been KNOWLEDGE.     Drag Racing, and I would venture to say all other forms of racing as well, doesn’t exactly come with a how-to guide for participating.  That’s why finding a racing mentor is key.

Having not come from one of the genetically-predisposed families that grow up around racing, I came into motorsports with a proverbial blank slate.   I couldn’t tell you how to do a burnout, or what made a car faster when I started.    I didn’t know a torque wrench from a crowbar.  What was instrumental in my personal growth was an insatiable appetite for learning.

Researching Written Sources

Just starting out, its always helpful to be able to get as much background information as possible.   After seeing the races, and deciding it looked like something for me, I decided to do some research.   I checked with the track, found out the rules and regulations and schedules for amateur participation.   When I had questions about improving my car, I sought out industry magazines:   Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords, 5.0 and Super Fords, etc.   When I was stumped about something I had read, I would hit the internet to ask questions on the Mustang bulletin boards (Stangnet, Corral, Hardcore 5.0, etc.)  Sometimes that isn’t the most reliable of information sources, but it was a good sounding board to learn about common experiences.

Erica Ortiz in Top Fueler
I got the chance to shadow Top Fueler Mike Strasburg for a weekend. Always learning!

Don’t Be Afraid to Meet Racers and Ask Questions

One of the most intimidating parts of anyone’s career is that first-time race behind the wheel.   Heading to your local track and getting a case of the nerves is completely normal.  Everyone has a first time, after taking a few sessions in, don’t be afraid to ask questions of other racers.   Most people are pretty understanding and helpful with first timers, and you stand to pick up tricks and suggestions, and maybe even a racing mentor.

Trade Time for Knowledge

While asking around at the track where I could find a reliable shop to install some new performance mods, I learned about a local shop that also was heavily involved in racing.   The owner would patiently answer my questions and offered advice regularly regarding improving my times at the track.   Because they also raced in considerably quicker classes,  they allowed me to tag along to races where I was able to watch and learn what it took for this higher level of racing.   I would lend a hand with small tasks… packing parachutes, cleaning parts, draining/filling intercoolers.  Volunteering for an experienced team is a great way to learn important information in racing.

Eventually, that relationship led to a full-time position at the shop, where I would spend plenty of time being schooled on the mechanics and learning critical information from a veteran with years of experience.   This type of information wasn’t something I could find online or by attending any schools, it was the product of years of experience and a willing racing mentor who offered to teach.

As a result, when I ventured off on my own, I had a great mechanical knowledge base.   I was involved in the tuning and mechanics of the car, and wasn’t forced to hire outside help very often.

Imitation of Best Practices

A racing mentor doesn’t just have to be a driver or crew member.   I sought out racing mentors in all aspects of racing:  PR/Promotional, chassis and suspension understanding, and still others who helped in other forms.   Sometimes, they were unknowing mentors:  I’d learn merely by studying their teams and operations because of their successes.   Others were as simple as having some key questions at the right times.    Don’t ever be afraid to ask for HELP.    Find someone who is at the top of their game, and see what they are doing to be successful.

Who along the way has inspired YOUR racing career and where did you come across your mentor?

 

Getting started in racing

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There are a lot of different stories out there about how each of us find our way to the world of motorsports.

John Force's Racing family resulted in a future generation of racers
John Force’s racing family lifestyle resulted in a future generation of racers with daughters Ashley, Brittany and Courtney.

Some of us are born into the lifestyle, with parents who are already actively involved in the sport and bring those playpens into the pits for race weekends.   For those lucky children, racing is just a part of who they are, it’s the life they’ve always known.    Ashley, Brittany, and Courtney Force grew up with their famous NHRA Funny Car father, traveling the country one race weekend at a time.  When each came of age, it was no surprise that they would all follow in their father’s footsteps with racing careers of their own.

Racing families such as the Forces are common in motorsports.   The lifestyle continues on for generation after generation of racers, crew members and team owners.

For others, they come across it later in life.   Maybe its a friend, or another relative.   Some discovered racing because of mainstream tv or movies.   Still others come across it on their own terms.

Getting Started in Racing | What now?

Erica Ortiz's first car
My first car, a 1990 Ford Mustang GT

Me personally, I had no family that was into racing.   My parents’ idea of automotive enthusiasm was being religious about their oil changes and keeping it cleaned every Sunday.   They had no idea where their little girl picked up an interest in all things fast and shiny.   While most girls liked dolls and makeup, I was fascinated by RC cars and Matchbox cars.

When I turned 18 and it was time for a car of my own, I purchased my first Mustang.  It was a 1990 GT, and along with some newly discovered gear head friends, I started pouring into magazines and the internet trying to find out how to make it faster.   I joined message boards and would ask questions, and just submerged myself into learning.

On those message boards and through even more recently acquired gear-head friends, I learned that the local track had what was called an open Test & Tune night.   Anyone could pay $20, sign a waiver, and take a trip down the 1/4 mile.     My group and I decided to go, and after asking people a million questions and watching a few hours worth, I decided to pull up and give it a try.

That first pass (which if I looked around, I have that first timeslip saved somewhere) was a break-neck 15.4 @93 mph.    But it was enough to get me hooked.

Once I started upgrading the GT with some mods, I became a regular at a local speedshop called Lugo Performance.   I befriended the owner, and would travel to watch their class races around the South.   There, I learned the behind-the-scenes of a racing team, and took lots of notes until I ended up working there for several years myself and launching my own career.

Regardless of how it starts, most of us agree that once we’ve discovered it and began our own journey, its hard to imagine life without it.

LADIES TELL US YOUR STORY!    When did you know that you wanted to race and how did you get started?

Upper Body Strength: Fact or Fiction?

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I’ve been seeing a lot of commentary on the subject of upper body strength and driving the nitro cars…. funny car especially. Seems that many question whether women, at a natural disadvantage in the upper body strength department with their male counterparts, are physically able to handle the demands of driving one of these “beasts”.

In fact, earlier last year, when I had my dream interview with Don Schumacher about the possibility of piloting the Oakley Funny Car, one of the questions he asked was did I think I’d be able to “man-handle” the “beast” down the track, and that it was something he found concerning about women driving in funny car. It threw me off, and it was a question that never driving one, I couldn’t guarantee the answer for, and coming from one of the most knowledgeable people in the industry, it rattled me. Sure, if desire could move mountains, I’d be able to steer one with my pinkie and my eyes closed, but would it be a real problem??

Being that I want to best prepare for any possible opportunities, I’ve beefed up my training regimine in the upper body section, just in case. But as an aspiring driver, its a question that I’d like to know the REAL answer to. There has been more than one woman to pilot a funny car, and none I would consider to be overly-built in that area of strength (re: none of them were amazons or anything like that). Yes, women do have less upper body strength than males by nature, but is it really a cause for concern as many imply, on their ability to control the cars at speed?

It was a question that was largely repeated last year for Ashley Force entering the Funny Car Gentleman’s club. She had risen from the Top Alcohol Dragster ranks, and stories circulated about her inability to get the car down the track. That talk increased after her incident in Seattle. But was this more a case of a learning rookie driver or a direct result of lacking upper body strength?

Though I have never spoken to Ashley, nor do I know anyone with inside answers to any of these questions as it pertains to her, I do think we saw some truth to the struggles she had on episode #5 of Driving Force as she was getting her license. But, as I mentioned in my comparison then, I took it more to be the differences between men and women in how we approach learning something different. Women are more cautious, and use our “feel” a little more. Men, just strap in, hold on, and go about it with a more wild abandon. Melanie further backed up my feelings on it in her recent interview. Get us used to it a little more gradually, let us learn what it is we are feeling, and we’re on even footing.

Perhaps Melanie Troxel will be the better indicator as the latest female to enter the funny car world. Melanie was already a respected driver in Top Fuel, and although she seems much smaller in person than her website lists her 5’9″ 129lbs. frame, she definitely would be comparable in size to your average woman. Its too early to judge her driving at once race into the season, but her initial comments seems to disprove the myth of upper body strength being a major hurdle.

“I’d say when you’re actually driving and going down the track it’s not something that enters my mind, I can’t actually sit there and think, ‘Wow I can’t. This is hard to do.” Troxel said.
It’s definitely harder but I don’t think it’s so much harder that somebody couldn’t overcome it if they wanted to do that you could pretty easily.”

Either way, I’m not taking any chances. I’ll continue to go through the extra motions of beefing-up-the-up-top and make it a non-issue.

Source: Competition Plus

Wearing many hats

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Recently, I’ve received a lot of different emails from folks wanting to know what path I’ve taken to come this far in racing and what I do to push ahead every day.

My answer? EVERYTHING.

Out of neccessity (and lack of financial means), I’ve had the task of learning to wear many different hats.

  • Driver.
    Though this is my biggest dream, and my ultimate full time aspiration, I spend the least time wearing this hat (errr… helmet). In fact, when you consider that the whole driving experience lasts only 6 seconds, its probably such a marginal amount of time that some people question why I keep after it. I don’t think its anything that can be put into words unless you’ve felt the adrenaline rush of driving before. Being in that seat, regardless of how short of a time, is such a release. Its empowering, its rewarding, its relaxing, and energizing all at the same time.
  • Public Relations/Marketing.
    One of the most important things I’ve done for my career and the team is a strong focus on marketing/PR. My day job is marketing, so I feel this is my area of expertise, and work hard to make sure that I do my best in this area for Horsepower & Heels and for other racers who I help as a side business (gotta keep trying to find $$ to race!). The single biggest thing I’ve done that has helped is building my own brand of Horsepower & Heels and finding new ways to promote it to the media, corporate america, etc. I try to stay on top of all the new social mediums out there, staying connected and involved has helped tremendously. One of the biggest things I can offer potential marketing partners, is the network I’ve built of people who check out Horsepower & Heels on a regular basis. The other reason its so important is to stay updated and available for potential opportunites. I may have never had the chance to interview with Don Schumacher or be considered for a Top Fuel ride if I wasn’t proactive with being available for these type opportunities.
  • Mechanic.
    Racing has to be one of the most expensive hobbies there is. Racecars are not cheap. Parts are not cheap. Labor definitely is not cheap. So, to offset these cost, I do as much as I can possibly do myself before seeking out others. I am very lucky in that I’ve had some great teachers that have taught me much about the mechanics involved in the car I choose to race. I also have some great people who donate their time to help out however they can. But the general maintenance, and as much of the brute labor as I can muster, I do myself.
  • Manager.
    So much goes into staying organized and keeping on track. From setting the schedules for races and promotional events, to keeping up on maintenance tasks, to deciding what to do next. Managing all the different hats at once could be a full time job to most.
  • Event Planner.
    Racing is event after event of cosmic proportions. Working a full time job, and scheduling time off, reserving room accomodations, packing up a trailer full of necessities for a weekend, and coordinating crew and meet and greets in the area is quite a tedious task. Coordinating small details at the races is very important to see everything run smoothly.
  • Salesperson.
    I’m definitely not one of those door-to-door types, but there are many sales aspects to running the team. Anything from the coordination and selling of apparel, to the pitch of sponsorship proposals.
  • Designer.
    Unfortunately, I wish I was better at this item. I think of myself as a pretty creative individual, but my weakness is putting ideas in my head into action. But, with graphic design such an expensive art, I have to make due with what I can muster on my own. Everything from the website, to apparel ideas… the vision may or may not come out as I originally anticipated, but I make due with what I can muster!
  • Truck Driver.
    Its not a very glamorous part of the job, but the fact is, the car must be transported, and there is no one else to do it! So, I haul around the car with a dually in an big enclosed trailer. Last year out, it was a 53′ Gooseneck…. I caused many a stare at the truckstops when truckers saw me hop out of the driver’s seat, usually hauling it across the country by myself.
  • Purchasing/Merchandiser.
    Anything from deciding what brand/source to purchase supplies to arranging production on the e-store merchandise, I am left with the duties of purchasing agent.
  • Cook.
    Another necessity that I’m not always that great at doing. In fact, there are a few “incidents” of me almost catching the trailer on fire trying to fire up a charcoal grill with lighter fluid (I had no clue they were Matchlight coals!). But, I usually pack up and plan out some good, track-friendly meals and snacks to keep the eating out expense to a minimum.
  • Gopher.
    Run here, run there. A gopher’s job is never done. Getting tickets, passing through tech, or any other “runner” tasks are done by yours truly.
  • Historian.
    Keeping track of my own stats sometimes doesn’t feel right… but this information would be clouds of dust if I didn’t record it myself. How else would anyone know about the accomplishments I’ve made in my modest career? It also means keeping up with the racing industry in general to know what is happening all across the sport.
  • Web Master.
    I taught myself to build a website back in 2001, and I’ve been learning ever since. It may not be the most glamourous or the most technically correct, but it serves its function and its filled with information and features. https://horsepowerandheels.com/ has been a tremendous asset all across the boards.
  • Photographer/Videographer.
    It can be difficult to capture all the action in front of the lens when I’m usually the one behind it, but I try and capture as much of the action as possible. When I’m in the car, I try and hand off my camera equipment to someone to capture… with mixed results. I also process all the photographs after the race, edit/resize, and upload them for viewing.
  • Agent.
    Most people have some sort of agent that acts between them and press/business/other things. That old line “have your agent call my agent?” Yep, that line comes directly to me.
  • Spokesperson.
    I have the responsibility of being the active “face” for Horsepower & Heels. When you’re also handling all of the other actions, you learn to really think things through before speaking. Its difficult to balance, because people can confuse some of the other hats you wear as what your are trying to portray as the “image” of Horsepower & Heels.
  • Financier.
    This by far is the most difficult and limiting action for Horsepower & Heels. Unfortunately, I don’t have much in the way of funding, and have to come up with a majority of the expenses myself. I work a full time job, run a side business, and try my best to find additional sources of income just to continue racing. I’m stretched about as thin as I can be financially, and I know that I’m at the limits of my financial abilities.
  • Accountant.
    And finally…. the last hat that I can think of at the moment is probably the saddest. Its realizing that what you need in terms of budget to complete a year of racing far exceeds what’s in your checking account. That’s a hard reality… and one that has limited my racing in the past year. I’ve been eating lots of peanut butter sandwiches though, and hope to be back out strong this year!

FLASHBACK: My first drag racing experience

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One of the most common questions I am asked after people get over the initial shock of me announcing that I am a die-hard drag racer, is “How the heck did you get into THAT?”

I think the answer that most people would expect is that I was daddy’s little tomboy that probably grew up at the drag strip along side my father, or brother, or uncle or some other relative. But that’s not what happened.

Truth is, my parents could hardly change a tire. They were a conservative, military family that based their automotive decisions on practicality and reliability, not on prowess and horsepower. So where exactly did I pick up this obsession with all things automotive? The honest answer is: I have no clue.

My earliest car memories started when I was about 7 years old. I remember sitting in the back seat of the painfully practical Chrysler K car, counting out loud whenever I passed a Corvette. (I can’t believe I just admitted that out loud… I was young and didn’t know any better) I remember Mami asking me what I was counting, and my answer was Corvettes. There was a look of complete bewilderment on her face, A) that I even knew what a Corvette looked like, and B) that I would be spending my time counting them on the highway. Although she had no clue what sparked my interest in a Corvette to begin with, I do remember getting a small RC replica of a little Gold Corvette for Christmas that year.

My next memory of automotive influence came at the expense of Mami’s lead-footed driving style. By now, the “yellow lemon” as I endearingly referred to our K-car, had been traded in for a 1988 Pontiac Grand-Am. I was at the dealership when they bought the car, listening to the sales person intently as he boasted about the QUAD-4 engine, and other features. Mami was more concerned with the color combos available, Papi was trying to keep the cost down and ensure that the warranty was fully protective. I was impressed and raving about the E.F.I. and QUAD-4 engine, even though I had no clue what that meant. What I did learn when Mami was driving and Papi wasn’t around, was that the car was much more powerful than the old lemon. And believe me, Mami quickly developed the reputation of having a lead-foot, mainly because I was quick to brag on her fast driving… something she referred to as “tattling”.

I believe if given the opportunity, Mami would’ve made a great stunt driver. Best example: I was sick from Asthma on a drive home from my uncle’s gym. There was a large hump in the road crossing a major intersection in my hometown. The speed limit, I believe was 30 mph. All I can say, is that Bo & Luke have NOTHING on Mami. We hit that thing doing 70 mph and were completely airborne for a moment. I might’ve been sick, but that was still a rush…

By the time I hit high school, I had come to my senses, and developed a love for Mustangs. That was around the time that the SN-95 retro-look mustang was introduced, and I really thought they were sexy. A kid in my class drove up in a yellow Boss adorned Mustang on his 16th birthday. I just was in awe of that car. It sounded mean, it looked great, and I definitely was envious. A friend of mine ended up with a V6 version of that car, and I managed to con him into letting me drive it one night after a volleyball game. I pulled out of the Taco Bell parking lot, and laid into the throttle. Ryan grabbed every “Oh Crap” handle in the car, and with a nervous laugh asked me to take it easy. Its funny looking back, because I didn’t know it then, but that was the first time driver’s instinct kicked in for me.

My first knowledge of drag racing came courtesy of my first love… Jason’s family was more of the traditional motorsports variety. Father and sons out at the drag strip every weekend. He grew up in it, and frequented the track with his father and older brother, who raced. I remember him telling me one Friday night that he was going to the racetrack. I asked if I could go too, and he turned me down. I think he thought that I just wanted to tag along as an annoying girlfriend and had no real interest in the sport. It’s ironic that I would see his brother and father again, a few years down the road pulling my own racecar into the staging lanes. He never said anything about it… but I secretly gloated in a “So there” moment at that meeting. And I also secretly reveled in the fact that my little “street car” eventually became faster than their racecar. But who’s keeping score, right?

Back to my own first experience… after graduating high school, I acted on my newfound adulthood freedoms, I bought my first car. It was a 1990 Mustang GT 5.0. By now, I had begun dating a fellow enthusiast (looking back, the only good thing about him was his car…. I’m a sucker for notchbacks) and he had a handful of Mustang driving friends. We formed a little car club… “Horsing Around”… I know, can we say “Cheesy”?!? Our first trip to the drag strip was in August of 1998. Dave, Chris, Aaron and I all were first-timers at the strip, and not being much of a spectator, I pulled my car in line in the staging lanes for street car drags. After some brief pointers from some young guy in a tricked out Supra, I bypassed the water box and staged the car for the first time. 15.8 seconds of idle-leaving, granny shifting later… I crossed the quarter mile finish line at a breakneck 91mph. I was hooked.

From there, the rest is history. But I still have that original time slip… my very first time down the ¼ mile.

What was YOUR first racing experience like?