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NMRA

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Haley James 2015 Coyote Modified Champ

October 5, 2015 //  by Horsepower & Heels

Haley James 2015 Coyote Modified Champion
Photo: Alex Burditt

NMRA Rookie Sensation, Haley James, landed her third win of the 2015 season at the 17th Annual Nitto Tires NMRA All-Ford World Finals.     The first-year driver has appeared in all six Coyote Modified finals of 2015, dominating the competition all season long.    With half the class victories to her name, there was no questioning Haley James Coyote Modified Champ in 2015.

Fairy tale Rookie Season for Haley James

Haley James began her fairy tale season stepping into a brand new Coyote Modified (CM) Hellion Turbo prepared fox body coupe.   Her prior racing experience limited to just a year in the junior dragster ranks when she was twelve and some time behind the wheel of her turbocharged fox-bodied Mustang on the street, the busy high school senior attended Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School to earn her NHRA Competition License so she’d be ready for the season opening event.   Haley’s first time in the car came just a day shy of her Bradenton debut, where she wasted no time setting low E.T. of the event en route to a runner-up finish in her first ever drag racing competition at the National Mustang Racers Association (NMRA) Spring Break Shootout event in Bradenton, FL.

Her first career win would come at just her second event, the 7th Annual Borla Exhaust All Star Nationals held at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, GA, where she raced into the Aerospace Winner’s Circle for the first time against NMRA veteran Johnny Lightning Wiker.

During the 15th Annual SCT NMRA Ford Nationals in Budd’s Creek, Maryland, Haley again made it to the final round of Coyote Modified competition, this time against Ronnie Reynolds.   Though she had the performance advantage over Reynolds, who was campaigning his wife’s street car for the event, an error at the tree cost her the race.    A staging battle on the starting line would rattle James, and she wound up leaving before the tree activated.

Between races, Haley would return home for her graduation commencement ceremony from Albuquerque, NM’s El Dorado High School.   And as summer racing action heated up, the new graduate would really hit her stride as she transitioned into college studies at the University of New Mexico.

Her second career win would come at the 12th Annual McLeod NMRA Super Nationals event at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.   She again faced familiar foe Johnny Lightning Wiker in the final, where she improved her record against the multi-class champion racer when a broken throttle cable caused him to shut off early.  She would leave the event leading in points.

Haley James final Bowling Green
Photo: Brandon Reed

Haley James would continue the hot streak into the 10th Annual NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Street Legal Drag Racing at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, IL.   She would battle it out again with Johnny Lightning in their fourth final round meeting of the season, taking her third career victory, and scoring a Super Bowl ring for her part in the NMRA’s victory over the NMCA.

That all lead up to the final race of the season, the 17th Annual Nitto Tires NMRA All-Ford World Finals at Beechbend Raceway in Bowling Green, KY.  Another rain soaked event, that didn’t meet its conclusion until Monday morning, where it would be an all-too familiar final between class rivals Johnny Lightning and young Haley James.   This time, the weather and lack of passes would mean that Haley’s dad, Dwayne James wouldn’t have much data on the tune for the final round in the colder, damp weather.    Unfortunately, James would smoke the tires, giving her competitor Wiker the last win of the season.

Haley James Coyote Modified Champ#1 in Coyote Modified Points

Despite the runner-up finish, Haley had scored enough points to earn the top spot for the 2015 Coyote Modified class championship.   She becomes the youngest Coyote Modified Class Champion in NMRA history, and carries the honor of wearing the No. 1 on her window as the class champion into 2016-  All as a rookie to heads-up drag racing.    The young driver has proven quite a talented protege of the Hellion B-Team, and if this rookie season is any indication, she’s just getting warmed up to a long, successful drag racing career.

Congratulations, 2015 NMRA Coyote Modified Champion, Haley James!

 

Category: Women in Racing NewsTag: Drag Racing, Haley James, NMRA, Women Racing

Melissa Urist goes straight for the record book

October 4, 2015 //  by Horsepower & Heels

Melissa Urist breaking recordsLongtime NMRA standout crewmember, Melissa Urist, recently made the jump from wrenching on her husband, John Urist’s, Street Outlaw record-holder, to wheelin’ her very own beautiful, competition orange turbocharged 2015 Mustang GT street car during the Nitto Tire NMRA All-Ford World Finals at Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green, Ky.

“I’ve been around this series for a very, very long time but always as a supporter, crew member, pep talker and helper. My husband, John and his business partner, Dwayne James, gave an opportunity to me I just couldn’t pass up. I jumped on it the moment it was presented and haven’t looked back since,” Urist said.

Record Timeslip
The record-setting timeslip still shows plenty of room for improvement.

Melissa Urist goes straight for the record book

The event marks the first-ever drag race for the rookie driver, who after some licensing test-session passes, clocked an impressive 9.508 second E.T. at 133.86 mph in street-trim.   Not only was this an impressive first race for the rookie driver, but it was good enough to unofficially lay claim to the title of fastest turbocharged 2015 Mustang street car on the planet!

The pass, which Urist said had her lifting early around the 1,000 ft. mark, shows that there is still plenty of potential in the ride, and she is eager to push the car further this weekend.

Rain Soaked Bowling Green

Like so many other racing events this weekend, the Nitto Tire NMRA All-Ford World Finals are contending with cold rainy weather that have not allowed for qualifying thus far in most classes.    Melissa is set to compete in the Turbo Coyote Shootout class.

“I want to go out there and lay down some sick numbers. Who wouldn’t want to win their first race ever?” she said. “Honestly though, there’s a lot of seasoned racers in the class I intend on running. My hope is to go out there, make fast, consistent runs and show what my street car is capable of doing on the track,” she concluded. (from StangTV.com)

Racing is scheduled to resume today at 8:30AM, with heads-up qualifying to follow the index classes.

Category: Women in Racing NewsTag: Drag Racing, Melissa Urist, NMRA, Women Racing

Catching up with Aerospace Component’s Kim Kussy

August 3, 2015 //  by Horsepower & Heels

Kim Kussy A biology and business degree graduate, pilot and racer who continues excelling to new heights as President and Chief Marketing and Finance Officer of racing industry staple Aerospace Components, the sky is the limit for Kim Kussy.

The daughter of a large family (she has 4 brothers and 2 sisters) raised in the Motor City, Kim Kussy has always loved the automotive industry.  The influence of her brothers and Dearborn, Michigan hometown would be evident in all aspects of her life.  She met her husband Al there, who himself grew up racing at local Milan Dragway.  As the two started their family and moved down to Florida, that love blossomed into a fast-paced life together.

Kim, who graduated from Tampa College with a degree in Biology/Medical Technologist studies and Saint Petersburg College with her degree in Business, had been working in the medical field as a medical technologist for almost 10 years when her and husband Al decided to incorporate Aerospace Components.  Initially, the business was centered around the Department of Defense, machining parts and components for defense systems, guidance systems, and the International Space Station.

Aerospace's Kim and Al KussyThe two spent several years growing the business part time, while still continuing with their full time employers.  Within a few years, the duo found themselves tied-in with the drag racing industry, manufacturing components for racers.   This allowed them to be fully involved in the sport, building the first of many racecars to develop components they created.    It was this first build that would really inspire in Kim the passion for racing, and as the business grew, that love would involve the entire family.

When Al was building his first car at Aerospace, I caught the racing bug too. Having started himself racing at age 16, he taught me how to drive the race car.  It seem like a natural passion since we owned the company that manufacture the racing parts .  Just about all of our employees race so we basically lived at the local tracks in the first 15 years of business.”

Aerospace RacingTaking those years of knowledge and experience, Kim was able to apply them to building a dragster with her daughters Breanna and Bethany, passing on this experience during their high school years as a family project.

I wanted them to know what we made and did for a living. Both girls got in the dragster and did some burn outs.”

Aerospace Components Excellence in EngineeringKim has raced the dragster herself at local tracks in the region, adding that the entire Aerospace family has been a staple in the local racing scene for over 15 years.    They have owned dozens of racecars, and are now involved in the national racing scene, sponsoring the NHRA Wally program, with the special Aerospace Components Excellence in Engineering Award.  The award, voted on by NHRA’s Technical Department, is given at 12 NHRA Nationals events to individuals or teams demonstrating a unique edge in craftsmanship or technology.    They are major sponsors for the National Mustang Racing Association (NMRA) and the National Muscle Car Association (NMCA) with the Aerospace Components Winner’s Circle sponsorships and contingency programs.

Aerospace Components is approaching nearly 30 years in business, with no signs of slowing.   The process has been a rewarding one for Kussy, who loves the people she gets the opportunity to work with in the industry.  The road wasn’t always an easy one — the couple started the business at a young age, and have worked hard to build and grow over the years with a group of loyal and hard-working employees that share in the passion.  For Kim, the added struggle of proving herself as an intelligent business woman in a male-dominated industry and not just the stereotyped friendly, pretty face were ongoing in the formative years.    She credits hard work and tenacity for her success in overcoming these obstacles and mounting a successful career that defies the stereotypes.

Both industries that I am involved in are basically a men’s world — racing and aviation. Many of people don’t believe women can race or fly or run companies as the entrepreneur, sometimes women are still being stereotyped in certain areas. But I believe as a woman, if you are competent at what you do that intelligence and passion shows forth. Now that I have been in the industry for 28 years, I believe men and women respect me for how hard I work, for who I am and what I have contributed to both industries.”

General Aviator Kim KussyWith her duties at Aerospace and at the racetrack taking her all across the country, Kim does a fair amount of traveling.    But she doesn’t leave this up to commercial airlines.  Kim and Al also own their own aircraft, and Kim earned her private/instrument pilot’s license in 2000.   She is one of an elite group of women – only 6% of general aviators in the United States are women, and intends to advance her ratings as time permits.

I am very privileged and honored to be able to be among these women. It takes, a passion for flight, intelligence, courage, time and money to fly and own planes.”

With so many accomplishments to her name, it’s hard to imagine Kim having much downtime.  Yet she still finds time to support charity organizations in her community such as Women of Compassion (a non-profit that assists orphans in the state of Florida) and Shepard’s Village, a Christian organization dedicated to supporting single mothers.

I’ve been so blessed by God with my life with all that I am able to accomplish that I want to give back and help encourage the children and single moms that they can make it. I did it with God’s help and love of other who invested in my life!  …I was raised in a single parent home after 11 years old. My father died of cancer when I was in 6th grade. so my mom raised the 3  youngest by herself. I know how these kids feel in single parent homes, love and support of family and friends really matters.”

Kussy FamilyKim shared that mastering the balance between her full plate of duties for Aerospace, home life with family and raising her children, along with all of the other ventures she has pursued has been the most instrumental to her success.

DREAM BIG and don’t give up! The beginning years are some of the hardest, especially if you are married and or raising children.  Work hard and Play Hard!  Take time to rest and enjoy family and friends. Surround yourself with others you can trust, those who love you and who will encourage you during the hard times. Set goals, short term for your racing career as well as long term. Don’t be afraid to seek wise counsel from a few key leaders you trust in your industry who have walked the path you’ve walked. Attend conferences, read alot and never stop learning on how to grow stronger in your racing career.”

Kim continues to set new goals for herself and the business, whether its researching new product development, learning new marketing strategies to reach, connect and communicate with customers, or hitting the dragstrip for some racing competition.    Her latest project, Kimmy’s Garage, features educational videos on Aerospace products and installations.

AerospaceComponents-logo

Whether in the skies, at a race track near you, or in the office growing Aerospace Components, one thing is sure, the sky is hardly the limit for Kim Kussy.

Category: Featured, Featured ProfessionalTag: Kim Kussy, NHRA, NMCA, NMRA, Women Racing

Female Racer: Sondra Leslie

June 22, 2015 //  by Horsepower & Heels

Sondra Leslie

Dating back to when she was just a teenager, 28 year-old Sondra Leslie has followed in the family drag racing tradition.   The sister of NMRA Factory Stock racer John Leslie Jr and Street Outlaw Crew Chief Melissa Urist, the Munster, IN native began her racing experiences over 15 years ago, learning the family racing habits.  Since then, she’s graduated to her own NMRA Factory Stock race operation, adding another accomplished driver to the family tree. 

Racing in the Blood

I was almost inevitable that Sondra would follow in the family footsteps.  Sondra LeslieMuch like her other siblings, Sondra would spend her teenage years at NMRA events across the country, helping and learning from her brother.   Before she was even old enough to drive, Sondra knew that she wanted to race herself.   She was dedicated to learning everything it took to be successful- from the upkeep and mechanical aspect, to the responsibilities of being a team owner and driver.

Breaking into the sport wasn’t always the easiest for Sondra,  who despite years of experience at the races, still had to overcome some skeptics within the community.

It’s very hard to get your start in this sport as a women because you are not taken very seriously at first. It’s been a unique experience showing everyone I’m just as dedicated as the next person,” she said of the early critics.

Her big break would come in 2009, when best friend and current crew chief, Ken Bjonnes handed over the keys to his supercharged 2005 Mustang GT and offered her a dream-opportunity: a chance to compete in the NMRA Super Stang class for the entire 2010 season.

Ken Bjonnes has been my teacher since day one. He knew I was a fast learner and with his years of experience behind this sport he was eager to teach me the ins and outs of drag racing,” said Sondra of the valuable coaching he provided.

Sondra wouldn’t let him down, indeed proving to be a fast study that would end her rookie season in the No. 5 position overall in the class.  She spent 2011 in the Super Stang class as well, finishing just outside the top ten.

Moving Up- Factory Stock

Sondra LeslieAt the end of her sophomore season, Sondra had the urge to move away from the index racing format of Super Stang and into a heads-up category.  With so much family experience in the Factory Stock class, she felt it would be a fitting match.  Together with her team and family’s input, the car was completely rebuilt for the 2012 season meeting the Factory Stock rule requirements.

Not all competitors were as supportive of her move into heads-up racing.   She was met with vocal critics that unfairly questioned her abilities, and as a result had to learn how best to manage these antagonists.

Several people would give me a hard time because I was a female entering ‘their’ class and would always try to discourage me and question my ability to race, say things like ‘I will never be competitive – I should not even try and come run with them.’  It was difficult at first to handle but you develop some tough skin being in this industry and you learn to just keep at it and always strive to do your best to prove the non-believers you are just as capable as them.”

She has been a staple of the class for the past four seasons, finishing in the top ten every year since her 2012 debut.    Her rookie Factory stock season, Sondra would finish No. 7 for the year, improving every year with a 6th place finish in 2013, and up to the No. 4 position at the end of 2014.  Much of this she attributes to her family.

So many times my family has stepped up to help me when I needed it the most. My parents for trailering my car to the events, my dad for cooking for us and making sure we ate throughout the day and making sure the car was always clean, my mom for video recording every pass I have ever made, my sister for filling in as crew chief when Ken was not able to make the event and always cheering me on, my brother for all his assistance and advise.”

Sondra Leslie Factory StockThis season, Sondra and her team upgraded her Factory Stock Mustang with a MPR Racing Engines built Coyote powerplant and C4 transmission.   Crew chief Ken and Lund Racing provide all the tuning, and Power by the Hour helped to assemble the car for its season opening debut in Bradenton, Florida for the NMRA Spring Break Shootout.    Strange Engineering, her largest sponsor, has been on-board with the program for the past 5 years, and Pappa Shine provides all the cleaning and detailing supplies to ensure the car is always photo-ready.   She is currently in the No. 2 position for points in the 2015 season, with 2 events remaining.

Future Goals for Sondra Leslie

Sondra plans to continue working on improving her Factory Stock program, fine-tuning the combination and improving her race day results.  Her goal is to put the car into the winner’s circle this season, and is constantly working on ways to improve as a driver.

Most challenging thing about racing for me: Not being so hard on myself. I am always looking for ways to become a better driver and even after having an awesome season opener weekend, there is always that ‘if I didn’t do this…’  or ‘I could have done this better…’ that plays over and over in my mind.   My ultimate goal in racing is to be as successful as my brother-in-law, John Urist, and my brother, John Leslie Jr.  I have some pretty big shoes to fill, but with their guidance I know I can achieve that goal.”

One of the most important aspects she has learned being a female driver in the sport is to work with people you can trust and always staying humble.   There are always people out there who don’t have the best intentions in mind, and this can put a racer in a compromising situation.

Work with people you trust. That’s good advice for anyone, but being a woman in this sport opens you up to certain issues that I’m sure you can imagine.”

Sondra Leslie Factory StockFor Sondra, continuing the family tradition of drag racing has been a rewarding adventure she cherishes with her family.    Not only has she added another branch to the Leslie family racing tree, but she also gets the pleasure of teaching the next generation of racer the ropes, involving her two nieces as much as possible at the racetrack.

Many people dream of following a race circuit and competing in it, I actually live that dream and I’m very grateful for this opportunity.”

We can’t wait to see where Sondra Leslie will go in the future!

Category: Driver FeaturesTag: Drag Racing, NMRA, Sondra Leslie, Women Racing

Haley James picks up second career win

June 17, 2015 //  by Horsepower & Heels

Haley James Norwalk
Photo: NMRA Digital

Norwalk Coyote Modified Victory for rookie James

National Mustang Racers Association Coyote Modified drag racer Haley James picked up the second win of her career at the 12th Annual McLeod Racing NMRA Ford SUPER Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio this past weekend.    The 18 year-old recent high school graduate began this season in Bradenton, FL as a complete drag racing rookie.  Since then, she has made quite a statement, securing the top spot in the ultra-competitive Coyote Modified class.

Haley James' Hellion Pit in NorwalkWeather would prove to be a big factor in the weekend’s events, as Haley and the Hellion Racing team would fight hot and muggy tuning conditions, with frequent racing rain delay interruptions.   Friday’s first test pass resulted in no-traction, and Haley blew the tires off in an aborted run.    Round one of qualifying, she was able to post an off-paced 8.483 second elapsed time at 162.18 mph, but rain would stop the round before the class completion and end the day’s racing action.

When racing resumed Saturday, Haley improved her position slightly, earning the No. 1 qualified position with an 8.400 second E.T. at 162.12 mph.  This would give the rookie a competition bye in round 1 of eliminations on Sunday.   She would use the round to blast off an 8.524 second at 161.44 mph performance, securing lane choice for round number two.

For the next pairing, James would face the 2014 Mustang of No. 4 qualified Ronnie Reynolds.   Reynolds had ousted Haley in the previous Maryland race during a staging battle that saw her ‘creeper button’, the button used to initiate the staging sequence for the turbocharged car, malfunctioned.    Haley was anxious to avenge the loss, and earn her way into the final.    Both racers would leave the starting line together, but Haley quickly powered her way out front to a 8.442 second E.T. at 161.96 mph to his losing 9.389 at 151.14 mph.

Norwalk Coyote Modified Final

The win in round two would pair her in the final round against veteran racer Johnny Lightning, the number two qualifier.    Rain continued to plague the event, but between rain clouds, the two top-ranked competitors were able to face off and complete the final round.   Johnny Lightning would leave with a slight starting line advantage, and the two were side by side until the eighth mile marker.   But a faulty throttle cable would cause Lightning to abort, and Haley thundered on to the win with a 8.463 at 162.16 mph to his losing 9.051 at 120.32 mph.

Watch Haley James vs Johnny Lightning in the CM Norwalk Final

Haley James leaves the event with the No. 1 position in NMRA Coyote Modified championship points.   The next event for the team will be the 10th Annual NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Street Legal Drag Racing at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois on July 30th-August 2nd, 2015.

Category: Women in Racing NewsTag: Drag Racing, Haley James, NMRA, Women Racing

Featured Crew: Melissa Urist

June 5, 2015 //  by Horsepower & Heels

Melissa Urist gets her racer in the grooveWith 13 years experience in the pits, 7 of those for one of the most successful Super Street Outlaw programs on the planet, and a ‘Crew Member of the Year’ title to her name, 30 year-old New Mexico resident, Melissa Urist continues to crush assumptions with her class-winning knowledge and wrench-turning skills.

The Early Years

Growing up, Melissa was always surrounded by a love for cars.    Her father an avid Mustang enthusiast, he always had more ponies than Melissa could even remember.   His passion and auto enthusiasm was passed down through the family; first to her brother, and eventually taking hold of Melissa herself, who wanted to follow in her brother’s footsteps.

It began with local car cruise-ins to a popular hangout called Blue Top, an establishment frequented by the muscle car crowd in her suburban Chicago hometown.  From there, she would venture to the race track with the family.   Drag Racing wasn’t love at first sight for Urist, who said that the dragstrip took time to grow on her, “mainly because at that time, I wasn’t even old enough to have a learners permit,” she says.  She began learning the basics from brother Johnny Leslie- who competed in the National Mustang Racers Association (NMRA)- changing tires, fly wheels, clutches, rear ends, etc. for his Factory Stock class Mustang.  Soon, drag racing became an obsession.

Partners in Life and Championships

Melissa Urist changing tires8 years later, Melissa would meet NMRA racing standout, John Urist of Hellion Racing at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) tradeshow.  Teamed with John, who would not only become her racing partner, but her husband and partner in life, she learned what it took to crew a championship winning Street Outlaw program, from valve train to engine maintenance and all the other round preparation tasks of a top-caliber team.   She and one other member serve as the entire working crew on the car, a fact that put many in disbelief.

I would have to say most people who pass through our pits assume that I don’t know much about the car or that because the pit is filled with more men than women that I’m just there to film, no actual labor on the car,” she says of her role as main crew member.   “I don’t come right out and tell people that I have a major hand in the car because I let my work speak for itself. I’m lucky that my husband will tell people himself how during a typical race weekend, he does no work on the car himself besides tuning, and that myself and Mike King do 100% of the work.”

Team Hellion Winner CircleFrom loading the Hellion hauler in preparation for its cross-country travel to races, to her flying into the track for set-up and tech, checking over the engine and fixing problems that arise, maintenance between fueling, water, ice, spark plugs, battery charging, towing the car to/from the race surface, and lining John up for each and every run, there isn’t much Melissa doesn’t have a hand in on the car’s upkeep.

…Most just assume that if you’re a woman at the track, you’re there for attention only. I honestly don’t walk the track that often at races, I stick to my pit, work on the car, chat with our crew members, talk about our plan for the next pass with my crew and worry about my daughter. I think it’s an awesome experience when you can talk cars with people who pass through your pits and they commend you on your knowledge of cars, throwing in that they didn’t expect that. I feel like maybe with that experience, they will treat the next female with a little more respect.”

Melissa and John Urist- Winning coupleMelissa propelled John to countless wins in the class, culminating with six Super Street Outlaw Championship titles, and earning the coveted NMRA 2014 Crew Member of the Year title for her work.

This [Crew Member of the Year award] was so special and unique to me because I believe I’m the 2nd woman in the NMRA to have ever won this award,” she said of the honor. I really hope that someday my daughter will race and feel confident in what she’s doing because her mom has shown her that it is possible.”

Melissa Urist: Super Mom

But her work doesn’t stop there.   Since the arrival of their daughter Lauren in September 2012, Melissa also handles getting the entire house ready for the Grandparents to watch while her and John are away at the races.   Between her crew duties, she is making sure everything is 100% ok at home and that there are no issues with their daughter.

I was blessed to grow up with Super Mom-I mean that! My mom can juggle 4 children with crazy busy schedules like she’s baking a cake. It always came so natural to her, (and I struggle with 1!) that I said when situations get tough, I need to channel my own Mom. Growing up with her has turned me into the best Mom/wife/daughter I could be.”

Melissa Urist working on differentialMelissa and John are sure they will continue the family legacy with the next generation of racers.  Already car-savvy at the tender age of 2, Lauren is wasting no time following right behind her mommy and daddy’s footsteps.

Family is everything. With that said, you can have a family AND race. 9 days after our daughter was born, we loaded up in the motorhome and drove from Albuquerque, NM (where we live) to Bowling Green, KY for a race and won the championship. It was the most exciting and exhausting weekend of my life. I committed to responsibilities on the car and didn’t want to give them up so I’d feed our daughter, put her in her baby rocker and work on the car. Thankfully, at 9 days old, she found the sound of cars going down the track to be lulling and slept, literally, like a baby. Her entire first year and a half, she was at every race no matter what. Motherhood doesn’t mean your life stops, it means you get to pass this love of cars onto your own children. Getting them involved is, in my opinion, the best way to continue to do what you love AND you don’t have to give up those precious moments with them. My daughter pops the hood on her mini- Boss 302 and shows us how she works on cars. She’s also obsessed with looking under the hood of our 2015 and pointing out the turbos.”

Taking a turn at the wheel?

Despite over a decade at the track, Melissa has never taken her turn behind the wheel.   She stated that this is something that is soon to change, and is looking forward to her first trip down the track herself.     She will hit the track in a Hellion Twin Turbo 2015 Mustang, and has her eye on the NMRA’s Turbo Coyote Shootout held in Bowling Green and the NMRA All-Female shootout in Ohio.

As far as advice for women wanting to get involved in the sport?   She offers:

Always be humble. Respect other women in the sport. Don’t come into the scene with an attitude against others, especially when you don’t know them nor have the years of experience behind you. Lift one another up. Never give up, no matter how many times you cross the stripe 2nd. It’s an exciting experience for me to watch my sister race in the same class as my brother and it brings me to tears each and every time my sister does well because I know how much hard work she’s put in to go just one more round. Enjoy and embrace every moment!”

Best of luck to Melissa!  We can’t wait to see you add driver to your accomplished resume!

Category: Pit FeaturesTag: Drag Racing, Melissa Urist, NMRA, Women Racing

NMRA Maple Grove 2002

June 21, 2002 //  by Horsepower & Heels

Erica Ortiz debuts a new paint scheme at the NMRA Maple Grove 2002 event in Reading, PA.  Her previously all-black Horsepower & Heels drag radial Mustang debuts a new, magenta-flamed paint job by Rick Doern.   The pink and black livery paid tribute to her pride in representing women in racing.

Popular magazine, Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords, shot the car for a featured spread, landing Erica the cover of the November issue in a feature entitled Beauty and the Beast.

NMRA Maple Grove 2002

Ortiz however had a difficult race weekend, battling tire spin throughout the event.  Her best performance time came during an early morning test session, where she ran a 9.51 @ 147 mph.

Plagued by tire spin and other slight technical problems, she qualified with an off-pace 10.7 @ 147 mph.   Unable to sort out the problems in time, Erica fell to competitor Ty Krean in Round #1 with a 9.70 @ 148 mph.

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Category: PhotosTag: Drag Racing, Drag Radial, Erica Ortiz, NMRA, Women Racing

NMRA Columbus 2002

May 3, 2002 //  by Horsepower & Heels

New Turbocharged Drag Radial Entry

After a great run with her Paxton Novi 2000 supercharged entry, racer Erica Ortiz and the Horsepower & Heels team switched power plants to a turbocharged combination.

NMRA Columbus 2002

The National Mustang Racer’s Association (NMRA) Columbus event was the debut of Erica’s new turbocharged drag radial combination.    Without time between swaps, Erica had the task of testing the new car straight off the trailer.    The car responded well, running a 9.73 @ 145.17mph, and performed consistently throughout the weekend. Qualifying #8, she took a first round exit to Peter Champani, another Drag Radial competitor.

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Category: PhotosTag: Drag Racing, Drag Radial, Erica Ortiz, NMRA

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