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MotoGirl GT race team at Progressive International Motorcycle Show

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MotoGirl GTThe talented ladies of the all-female MotoGirl GT race team will be attending the Progressive International Motorcycle Show December 11-13th at the Javitz Convention Center in New York, NY.   The team members will be present at the MotoGirl GT/ Evolve GT booth  signing autographs and speaking to fans.

MotoGirl GT has a full season planned for 2016 in both the AMA sanctioned ASRA National Team Challenge Endurance Race series and NJ Mini GP Supermoto Series.   They will be competing aboard a Honda CBR 600 for ASRA competition, while fielding a Honda CRF 150F for the Supermoto series.    This schedule marks the first all-female endurance road race and endurance Supermoto team.

MotorGirl GT’s racing roster is composed of five women Angela Izzo-Sink, Kristin Casey, SJ Harris, Ophelié Zayat and Jaime Byrne.

We are all very excited to join forces for the 2016 racing season. Each of us come from different backgrounds adding our individual strengths to the team. This year will surely be one full of growth and success for all of us racers and our sponsors.” says team member Kristin Casey.

MotoGirl GT has already hit the ground running competing in their first event together this past November at the NJ Mini GP 4 hour Supermoto Endurance Race. These ladies qualified 7th out of 30 teams with under an hour of practice time per racer.

Stop by and visit the MotoGirl GT team!

Future Racer expected at RamonaRX

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RamonaRX is expecting a future little racer in May 2016Race Booties and Bell Bonnets coming for RamonaRX

Ramona Karlsson, Supercardriver and owner of rallycross team RamonaRX, just announced that she is expecting a future little racer in May 2016.     Her pregnancy announcement means a break from the competing in 2016, and also gives some explanation of why she had to bow out of the last competitions in 2015.

It feels really great to finally announce this. I’m so happy, feel very well, and look very much forward to become a mum” Ramona says, with her boyfriend Glenn Matning. “Now we just keep our fingers crossed that everything will go well – after all, it’s quite early yet.”

The future racer has already made his/her first Supercar laps, as Ramona competed in Euro RX Barcelona pregnant, but had to retire due to health issues.

I got surprised an really fascinated of what big physical effort it is to compete in Supercar. I was 100% set to complete the season, but my body wanted something else. I almost laugh when I look back. I’m quite sure that I’m the first driver to take the joker lap  three times in a heat, while vomiting and almost fainting in between. On the other hand, there has not been any other pregnant Supercar driver before me either. After this, I immediately retired the competition, and also decided to retire Italy after the doctor’s advice. I think the baby wanted a more calm and adrenaline free environment, because now we feel great” Ramona laughs.

Ramona KarlssonRa­mo­na Karlsson has been active in motorsports since the age of four.  She began in rally around 2001, after a career in mo­tocross, crosskart and ral­lycross. She has won the Swedish Crosskart Championship two times, and has also two Swedish Championship medals in Junior Rallycross.

Ramona has become one of Sweden’s most successful female Rally drivers, winning several World Rally stages.  In 2013, she became the first Swedish woman ever to secure an outright victory in the Swedish Championship final together with her co-driver Miriam Walfridsson in their Skoda Fabia WRC.    She was voted to “Rallydriver of the year” in Sweden that year.    Ramona became the world’s first female driver in Supercar in 2014, and soon she carved out a reputation around the paddock as a tough racer; making her World RX debut in Portugal reaching the semi finals, and took heat victory at Höljes.  In 2015, Ramona becomes the world’s first female driver to run her own Supercar team in FIA European Rallycross Championships.

Ramona aims to return to the track again in 2017, and during 2016 she will work with other motorsport projects that she will reveal soon.

It’s very much exciting and fun things happening right now, and I keep my fingers crossed that I will continue to feel well and healthy during the rest of the pregnancy” Ramona says.

NMRA Bridgett Davis, Looking Forward to 2016

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bridgettNMRA Driver, Bridgett Davis has many goals in mind when it comes to Drag Racing. Taking on her 2013 GT Mustang in the Roush Performance Super Stang class, she has high hopes to making it to the top or at least take on the top five entering into the 2016 season. After Bridgett’s finances allowed her to pursue her love for Drag Racing, she would hit every track in a hundred mile radius whenever there was a Test and Tune. A friend suggested to her in 2014 that she should take on her first competitive competition for the Muscle Mustang and Fast Fords all female shoot out class of the NMRA.

I would follow this up with competition in local events and would finish out 2014 with a 2nd place finish in the 14 second class of True Street.Upon my completion of the the 2014 season I made the decision that I would make my rookie season appearance in the 2015 NMRA class of Super Stang.”

With an index based format, she felt this class would serve as a good next step in her evolution. As her Mustang serves as her daily driver, Bridgett needed to enter in a street legal class. Finishing out in an 18th place point finish out of a 41 driver roster for the year, she felt good about her overall first season.

Bridgett2

Fast cars always honestly attracted me. Something about them. The power, the sound, the speed. Growing up in Indianapolis, Indiana from an early age most weekends were spent cruising, at the local car show, or at the track. I always knew someday I would take my passion for racing from the spectator perspective to behind the wheel.”

Bridgett Davis Accomplishments

2nd place finish in 14 second class of 2014 NMRA Bowling Green Kentucky

2015 NMRA/ Super Stang 18th place finish out of a 41 driver roster

Personal Magazine Article and Radio Appearances:

  • 2013 December Issue of AFX Magazine
  • 2014 Win A New Mustang Book Publication
  • 2015 March Issue of Mustang Driver
  • 2015 February Speed Scene Live Radio
  • 2015 June Heals On Wheels Radio Appearance

I also hope to begin to venture into oval track racing as well as a run in the upcoming 2016 Great America Road Rally.” 

 Bridgett4Being A Woman Of Motorsports

Venturing her first time into racing, Bridgett had felt very intimidated by the other woman. She never realized how many woman were into Motorsports. As she befriended Stacy Lynn Butler, “Stacy took me under her wing and began to show me the ropes. She was happy to help and without her I could have not made it through that first pass. She was patient and enjoyed helping me.” Bridgett said.

I think staying humble and approachable is so important. We can all learn from each other and help each other  up the ladder. Success in my mind is determined by how many you helped up the ladder. This is true measurement of personal success. If I have something to share with other females that can help them in their journey as others may have helped you, you should always share the wealth. Through TAG the online forum I assist in running, I am able to connect with many women via conversations and posts. We provide a forum in which women are able to come together, ask questions and share experiences.

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The great thing about cars is there are so many aspects you can take an interest in. With the varies of forums and sites Bridgett’s been involved in or worked for. Taking the opportunity now to pay a little of that back to other women, whether they have a question or need some advice. Bridgett says, “I try to be there to assist in whatever way I can. If I cannot help them I make sure I direct them to someone who can. I don’t seek to be a role model just a friend to other girls in the scene.” While continuing on Bridgett’s love for Drag Racing, she also has great support from her loving family and friends.

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Never come into anything with an attitude or thinking you know everything.  As the newbie it is important to stay humble and know you are the student. The more information you have the more skilled you become with each pass. Everyone has an experience or story to tell you can learn from.”

Fellow Sponsors
SilverHorse Racing –www.silverhorseracing.com
JMS Chips– www.jmschips.com 
Ratemyridez – www.ratemyridez.com 

New ride: Leah Pritchett joins Bob Vandergriff Racing

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Leah Pritchett joins Bob Vandergriff Racing
Photo: NHRA.com

NHRA Top Fuel driver, Leah Pritchett just announced that she will be joining the Bob Vandergriff Racing team in 2016 to field a second Top Fuel dragster with the support of Quaker State.     Pritchett, who became a free agent last month when her Dote Racing team lost the Gumout sponsorship, pairs with teammate Dave Connolly, who returns driving the C&J Energy Services dragster for the full 2016 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

This will be Pritchett’s first full season since joining the Top Fuel ranks in 2013.  Leah began her racing career in the Junior Dragster ranks at the age of eight before moving on to a successful Nostalgia Funny Car and Pro Mod driving career.

The opportunity to run a complete NHRA Top Fuel season has been a goal that I have worked towards for a very long time,” said Pritchett. “I am beyond excited for the opportunity to focus on making the countdown next season, competing for a Championship, working alongside Bob Vandergriff Jr., and re-introduce the Quaker State brand back into the NHRA.  This dream is now a reality, thanks in large part to the vision of Bob Vandergriff Jr., as well as the support of great companies and people along my way to this personal and professional milestone, and of course my fans.”

Leah Pritchett joins Bob Vandergriff RacingQuaker State will be the primary sponsor of five NHRA races with associate sponsorships on both BVR Top Fuel Dragsters. Vandergriff is working hard in the off-season to secure more sponsors for the remaining races on the schedule. Quaker State has a long history with NHRA dating back to the ‘80s. The last car they sponsored was Tony Pedregon’s Nitro Funny Car which won the 2007 NHRA Funny Car Championship.

Bob Vandergriff Racing has presented Quaker State with an opportunity to get back into the NHRA, and we couldn’t be more excited for the 2016 season,” said Gita Gidwani, Quaker State Global Brand Manager. “Quaker State is a hardworking motor oil that has great synergies for working with a hardworking and dedicated driver like Leah Pritchett and we look forward to backing her as she continues her impressive NHRA career.”

We have two young drivers with extensive racing backgrounds, so 2016 should be an exciting year for BVR,” added Vandergriff. “Our goal is to put both Dave and Leah in the top 10 and take home the championship this year.” 

 

Check out Marina Anderson at Indy Downtown Marriott

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Marina Anderson PRI displayIf you’re in Indianapolis for the Performance Racing Industry’s (PRI) annual tradeshow, you can check out NHRA A/Fuel dragster driver-in-training Marina Anderson and her custom-built dragster at the Marriott Downtown this week.   The display, which started on Sunday and will be in place until Saturday, December 12th.

I’m really excited about the opportunity to have my dragster in the lobby of the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown for the PRI Show. The PRI Show is always a great experience for us to both show appreciation for current partners and meet with potential sponsors. This display is a unique opportunity to expose the Anderson Family Dragster (AFD) brand and our partners to the show attendees and Marriott guests,” said Anderson.

PRI display for AFD Marina AndersonThe AFD dragster has been a four-year long family project for the Anderson family with Competition Fabrications.    They completed most of the chassis fabrication, tinwork, wiring and plumbing in-house, leaving the engine preparation to noted A/Fuel tuner Jerry Darien.   Marina is planning for a 2016 competition debut upon completion of the NHRA licensing process.

After testing the car for the first time this fall, we can’t wait to see what 2016 brings for the team. We learned a lot this year and I appreciate the way other A/Fuel teams have been open to teaching me and evening allowing me to work on their cars. I am also thankful for my team’s hard work to get to this point. I know next year will be a rewarding year because we plan on attending a few of the NHRA regional events.”

The PRI Show opens on Thursday, Dec. 10, and runs through Saturday, Dec. 12. Marina Anderson will be available to answer questions and sign autographs by her car display from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday and Saturday of the show.

Rebelle Rally – All Woman Off-Road Adventure

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Rebelle Rally
Rebelle Rally – All Women Off-Road Adventure

Blending the love of driving with the ultimate challenge of precise navigation, the Rebelle Rally is an all female off-road navigation rally that covers more than 2,000 kilometers across the Nevada and California desert over 7 days of competition.  The rally is not a race for speed, but a unique and demanding event based on the elements of headings, hidden checkpoints, time, and distance using maps, compass, and roadbook.

Rebelle Rally: First women’s off-road navigation rally in the US

It is designed as a hybrid of serious competition and the ultimate road trip comprised of dirt roads, double tracks, trails, and sand dunes. The course includes off-road recreational vehicle venues and iconic landmarks, and will be contested in two classes:

4X4 Vehicles – 4-wheel drive vehicles that have a two-speed transfer case (low range) -and-

Cross-Overs – Unibody construction with all-wheel drive (no low range).

Women from around the globe are encouraged to participate, and professional driving experience is not required.

Rebelle Rally 2016Rebelle Rally Information

DATE:  October 13-22, 2016
Website:  http://www.rebellerally.com/

START

Thursday, October 13, 2016
Technical Inspection & Welcome – Lake Tahoe, CA

Friday, October 14, 2016
Rally review & transfer to Base Camp_1 – Nevada desert

FINISH

Friday, October 21, 2016
Competition Finish – Southern California dunes

Saturday, October 22, 2016
Prize Ceremony & Black Tie Gala – Del Mar Race Track, San Diego, CA

Navigate Rebelle Rally
Set your course for the Rebelle Rally

LODGING

Hotels:
Start – South Lake Tahoe.  Competitors receive a complementary hotel room on 10/13/16 (shared by teammates).
Finish – Del Mar, California.  Competitors receive a complementary hotel room on 10/22/16. (Discounted room rates for additional stay)
Competition:
4 Base Camps & 1 self camping night.
Base Camp is a traveling support village complete with toilets, showers, food, medical staff, mechanics, event staff, and competition officials.

Teams will self-camp at a designated location during the marathon leg.  This means that you will have other teams around you along with some rally staff.

ENTRY INCLUDES

  • 10-day event with 7 days of competition
  • Food & beverage including water
  • Camping areas – known as  Base Camp
  • 1 hotel room per team at start and finish
  • Safety and medical teams
  • Mechanics team – shared by all competitors
  • Maps
  • Tracking services for family, friends, fans, and media to follow your team online
  • Introductory online navigation course
  • 1 team = two people

COSTS

  • $5,000 per person before May 1, 2016 | $5,500 after May 1
  • Vehicle and insurance
  • Satellite tracking equipment – TBD ($650 per team)
  • Anticipated fuel cost – vehicle dependent – TBD ($350 – 450 per team)
  • Vehicle equipment
  • Camping equipment (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad)
  • First aid kit
  • Navigation equipment – compass, ruler, plotter, and calculator
  • Driving and navigation training

Megan Meyer in Top Alcohol Dragster

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Megan MeyerNHRA rising upstart Megan Meyer is following in her father’s big footsteps.   Randy Meyers, driver and tuner of some of the quickest and most successful A/Fuel dragsters in the NHRA’s Top Alcohol Dragster class history, has been grooming his 22 year-old daughter to follow in the family TAD legacy.   After two years of training and a successful regional event debut earlier this year, the NHRA Central Region Rookie of the Year nominee will join her father on the NHRA circuit in 2016 as teammate and driver for a full national campaign.

Meyer drove to her first final-round finish in her Top Alcohol Dragster debut at the St. Louis regional event in August.    Pleased with the promising performance, she is now poised for the 18-race schedule in 2016, with 10 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series (LODRS) national events and eight LODRS regional races.

Entering the Lucas Oil national points series is such a dream come true for me. I’ve been looking forward to this my entire life and now that it’s almost here, it seems surreal. After watching my dad take home a national points championship back in 2003 with Alan Bradshaw driving, and getting a first-hand look at what it takes to become a national points leader, I have complete faith our team will be a front-runner in 2016. My dad has instilled the skills of dedication, determination, sacrifice, and hard work in my upbringing, and I believe having him as crew chief of our amazing crew, consisting of my mother and little sister, is going to be the best combination in 2016,” Meyer said assuredly.

Megan Meyer TADMegan Meyer graduates from Kansas’ Pittsburg State University this month, and will hit the road in 2016 across the country.  The Herbalife 24 team will compete at NHRA national events in Gainesville, Charlotte, Houston, Norwalk, Chicago, Brainerd, Indianapolis, Reading, and Dallas.   In addition, Megan will run the full NHRA Central Region schedule, with races in Belle Rose, Tulsa, Topeka, Earlville, and Noble – and the North Central Region events in Chicago, St. Louis and Bowling Green.

I am determined to end up number one or two in the Central Region points series, and would like to win my very first NHRA national event. Also, I cannot wait for the chance to finally race my dad – hopefully in a final round! I still plan on bracket racing my Super Comp dragster next year at a few local E.T. Races with my sister to stay sharp between NHRA races. Finally, I will be launching my own freelance design business offering my services to other race teams,” added Meyer, a graphic design student.

Though Meyer and her father are still finalizing 2016 sponsorship partners, a new apparel company called Racers Evolved has come on board with Megan that will focus on the needs of racers in all types of motorsports.

I am excited to partner with Racers Evolved because it’s created by racers, for racers. As a female racer, I think there is a big demand for certain ladies textiles that aren’t available for drag racing, because it’s a male dominant sport. With Racers Evolved, we will have all sorts of clothing options that are handpicked by me and available to anyone in 2016 to provide the female racers with proper form-fitted garments,” said Meyer.

 

Erica Enders on espnW IMPACT25

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After a record breaking season, two-time NHRA Pro Stock World Champion, Erica Enders was recently named to espnW’s IMPACT 25 list featuring athletes and influencers making big moves for women in sports.

Enders joined many other famous women in sports athletes such as World Cup champion Carli Lloyd, tennis star Serena Williams and UFC fighter Ronda Rousey.  The list was selected by a panel of sports experts and former athletes, split into two categories: Athletes and Influencers.   Honorees were captured in a special commemorative “Super” illustration by Marvel Comics.   Erica’s capture depicted her as Racer XX – a tilt to her double X chromosomes.

Racer XX – Marvel’s Erica Enders Superhero

Racer XX Erica Enders
Marvel Comics “Racer XX” Erica Enders

“It’s a tremendous honor to be on this list of the best athletes in the world,” Enders said.  “Thank you to ESPN and espnW for recognizing the contributions of women in sports, and thank you to the pioneers like Shirley Muldowney and Angelle Sampey for helping to pave the way for other women like me in drag racing.”

Enders has a storied career in NHRA Drag Racing, with 2015 being her most impressive season to date.   She took home nine event wins in 2015,  had 11 final-round appearances, six No. 1 qualifying performances, and made history with three consecutive wins by holeshots, a first for the sport.   Her 2015 dominant World Championship was her 2nd career Pro Stock title.  Her nine wins also eclipsed Angelle Sampey for the most wins by a female in a single season.

Erica Enders has 21 career victories, making her the 39th driver on the NHRA All-Time win list.   She trails Angelle Sampey for 2nd most winningest female driver by 20 wins

Dina Parise on Power Nation TV

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Dina Parise
Photo: IHRA

IHRA Pro Mod World Champion, Dina Parise is set to appear on an upcoming episode of Power Nation TV with her 3,000 horsepower Pro Mod Cadillac CTS-V “Bella” and husband/crew chief Andrew Parise.   Show host Katie Osborne will talk to the newly crowned champion about her transition from Ice Capades star to Drag Racing Champion.

New Sponsors: Lucas Oil and Eastwood Company

Excitement builds for Dina Parise on Power Nation TV as the team recently welcomed new sponsors Lucas Oil and Eastwood Company for the 2016 season, and will be debuting the new additions to the car/team on the show.

Power Nation TV

Erica Enders MOPAR backed in 2016

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Erica Enders/Elite Motorsports Dodge Dart GT

Erica Enders Mopar switch in 2016Two-time NHRA Pro Stock World Champion, Erica Enders announced today (via NHRA.com) that her Elite team will be carrying the MOPAR banner in 2016.   Enders and her Elite Motorsports teammate, Jeg Coughlin Jr. will be leading the factory backed MOPAR team in the Pro Stock ranks, campaigning a new fuel-injected Elite Motorsports Hemi-powered Dodge Dart GT.

The Mopar brand is excited to announce that two proven champions, Erica Enders and Jeg Coughlin Jr. will fly the Mopar colors in the NHRA Pro Stock class next season,” said Pietro Gorlier, Head of Parts and Service for Mopar.  “We couldn’t ask for greater competitors or brand ambassadors to represent us at the drag strip.”

Enders is fresh off a dominating season that saw nine event wins, 11 final-round appearances, and six No. 1 qualifying spots en route to her Back to Back Championship in 2015.   She bested Angelle Sampey for the most wins by a female in one season with her nine victories.   Erica last competed in a Dodge during her 2006-2007 season, and is excited to chase her third consecutive World Pro Stock title in 2016.

“We’re entering a new era of Pro Stock and it’s going to be awesome to take a new Mopar-powered Dodge Dart into 2016 and beyond,” said Enders.  “We won the last two championships with carburetors and now the goal is to win the first one with fuel injection.  The Dart Pro Stock cars look awesome and I’m already very familiar with Mopar because I’ve driven for them in the past.  It’s an honor and a privilege to represent them moving forward.”