True Car Becomes Driving Force > Sponsors Shea Holbrook, Ashley Feiberg, Shannon McIntosh & More 2012!!

TrueCar Becomes Driving Force in Auto Racing with “Women Empowered” Initiative

Company makes multi-year commitment to support women in auto racing through primary sponsorship of top professionals and rising stars 

TrueCar, Inc., creators of the intelligent automotive marketplace that benefits both buyers and sellers has announced an extensive, multi-year commitment to support top female race car drivers in premier racing series, along with young rising stars across several developmental racing series.

The TrueCar Racing “Women Empowered” initiative is an extension of the company’s efforts to help women enjoy the best possible car buying experience.   With over 80% of car buying decisions influenced by women – and 50% of all car purchases made by women – this impactful audience is a significant part of the automotive retail landscape.

“TrueCar is built upon the foundation of empowering individuals with the tools and resources they need to become expert car buyers,” said TrueCar Founder and CEO Scott Painter.  “The “Women Empowered” initiative is an exciting extension of that philosophy – empowering women in racing by giving talented female drivers everything they need to dominate their sport.”

The inaugural members to the 2012 TrueCar Racing Team include:

• Shea Holbrook – Pirelli World Challenge Series (www.shearacing.com)
• Ashley Freiberg – Star Mazda Series (www.ashleyracing.com)
• Shannon McIntosh – USF2000 Series (www.shannonmcintosh.com)
• Verena Mei – Rally America (www.stargirlracing.com)
• Emilee Tominovich – Pro SCCA Playboy MX-5 Cup Series

The company is also in the process of finalizing its sponsorship of a driver to compete in the prestigious IndyCar Series, as well as a Baja 1000 team for 2012, which will be made up entirely of women drivers vying for a class championship. Additionally, TrueCar will launch a new young driver development program that will introduce thousands of young women to auto racing at the karting level, and then providing support to top championship prospects as they progress through their racing careers from karting all the way up to premier racing series like IndyCar, the American Le Mans Series, Grand Am, and even Global RallyCross and the X-Games.

The strength of the program is enhanced by the involvement of Michael Zimicki – widely regarded as one of the top driving coaches in the industry.  Zimicki, who has coached Danica Patrick, Pippa Mann, Ryan Hunter-Reay, and Graham Rahal will be a key consultant on the TrueCar initiative.  He will be joined in the program by Marc Miller, a top driver in his own right and renowned driving coach, along with rally expert Tim O’Neil, and other top coaches and advisors throughout the season.

“Despite their considerable talents, women have yet to achieve the sponsorship opportunities, recognition, and championship successes that we believe is their due in the only sport where men and women compete head-to-head,” said Charles Kim, Director of Motorsports for TrueCar.   “This exciting initiative will change that – placing top women drivers on the world’s stage, and providing professional guidance, primary sponsorship support, and exciting new marketing and media opportunities to these talented drivers working their way up to the highest levels of racing.  Our mission is simple:  to empower these talented drivers and help them become future racing champions.”

Members of the TrueCar Racing Team are equally excited about the initiative.   Said Shannon McIntosh, “I’m truly honored to be a part of the TrueCar Racing initiative. Coming from a very modest background with many years of struggle, I’m humbled at this opportunity.  Thank you to Scott Painter, Charles Kim, and the entire TrueCar family for believing in me and giving me this platform to empower others to live by NinTai.”  Michael Zimicki adds, “The program that TrueCar has announced today is the most comprehensive support of American racing ever done, be it open-wheel, sports car, rally, or off-road. And the real kicker is that it is in support of women. This is a revolution.”

THANKS TRUE CAR!  WE LOVE YA!

ZAZA ENERGY TEAM NAMED NHRA'S "HARDEST-WORKING" CREW!

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (Nov. 15) – Erica Enders always knew her ZaZa Energy Pro Stock team was the hardest-working crew in the NHRA pit area. Now, she has tangible proof.

Enders’ crew was voted as winner of the Full Throttle Hard-Working Crew Award in the Pro Stock category, getting the nod in a fan vote on NHRA.com over the teams of Jason Line, Kurt Johnson and Vincent Nobile.

Enders’ Cagnazzi Racing team joined her on stage at the 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series awards ceremony Monday night at the Grand Ballroom at the Hollywood and Highland Center to accept the award. The team also earned $15,000.

Members of the ZaZa Energy team, led by owner Victor Cagnazzi and crew chief Dave Connolly, are Todd Bevis, Danny Burke, Rich Saulino, Mike Smothers, John Utt and John Wright.

“They are the hardest-working crew, with or without the trophy,” Enders said. “But it just goes to show that hard work really does pay off. These guys spend so much time away from their wives and their kids and their families – all because we have the same love for drag racing. I couldn’t be more proud of them.

“They mean the world to me. I love them with all my heart. They’re the reason why I’m where I’m at today, and the reason why I got to stand on the stage for the first time in my career. It means the world to me that they worked their butts off for this team.”

Enders had her best season as a professional, finishing sixth in the Pro Stock standings and setting career bests for final rounds (three), semifinals (four), quarterfinals (11), No. 1 qualifiers (two) and won-loss record (28-22).

The award was given to a team in each of the four NHRA pro categories, with a fan vote determining the winner. This was the second time Enders claimed a vote of the fans, as she won a spot in the K&N Horsepower Challenge thanks to the fans.

“It also goes to show that we have the greatest fans in the whole sport,” Enders said. “We were the only team on the ballot that hadn’t won a race or a championship. It just goes to show that the fans really stand behind us. I have to thank them just as much as I thank my crew. It means a lot to me.”

In true hard-working fashion, Enders’ team slowed down only for one night to celebrate, for the crew will be hard at work preparing for 2012.

“The hardest-working crew in the world is going back to work Tuesday,” Enders said, “and we’re going to come out swinging next year.”

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Contact: Lee Montgomery at 704-258-0903 or lee.montgomery@zazaenergy.com.

ZA ZA ENERGY PRO HAS THE POWER TO WIN READING THIS WEEKEND

READING, Pa. (Sept. 29) – Heading into this weekend’ s Auto-Select NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, ZaZa Energy driver Erica Enders sits a lofty third in the Pro Stock standings.

She’s behind only KB Racing’s Jason Line and Greg Anderson, which in some people’s minds makes her “first in class.” But Enders doesn’t think that way, and neither does anyone on the Cagnazzi Racing team.

“I don’t want to be second to anybody,” Enders said. “We want to beat everybody, not just those two guys. We’re pretty close to them, so we’re excited.”

Enders is in the midst of her best season as a professional, racing to three final rounds this year and qualifying No. 1 twice. She also set the national record for speed earlier this year in Gainesville, Fla., of 213.57 mph.

That and the national elapsed-time record could be in jeopardy this weekend, as Reading is usually ideal for low ETs and high speeds.

“I hope it’s hot so they don’t take my records away,” Enders said. “And if somebody does set a new record, I hope it’s me and the ZaZa guys.”

The weather could be ugly this weekend, as rain is in the forecast for parts of Friday and Saturday when qualifying is scheduled. That could put pressure on Pro Stock teams who may only get one or two qualifying sessions in the books.

Crew chief Dave Connolly and the entire ZaZa team will keep a close watch on the weather, hoping to get their Chevrolet Cobalt down the track as quickly as possible.

“We go up there every round putting the same importance on the run, whether it’s qualifying or the finals,” Enders said. “I don’t think the weather will affect us. We’ve just got to get the job done, no matter how many rounds of qualifying we have.

“I’ve got a lot of confidence in Dave and my entire team, no matter what the circumstances are.”

Setting an elapsed time record would be a 20-point boost in the standings for Enders as she chases her first Pro Stock championship.

“Of course it’s always on our mind, round by round,” Enders said. “Every point is going to matter. But we’ve got to do our job and do the best we can, and the points will come. We did well in Charlotte, getting up to third place. That was exciting for us.

“We’ve got our work cut out for us every week, and all we can do is do our best. The cards are going to fall where they’re going to fall.”

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Contact: Lee Montgomery at 704-258-0903 or lee.montgomery@zazaenergy.com.

TRACK CHIC's KAREN STOFFER> RECORD SETTING RUNS ON 2nd PLACE RDIER'S MIND

READING, Pa. (Sept. 29) – GEICO Suzuki rider Karen Stoffer believes national records in Pro Stock Motorcycle could come tumbling down in this weekend’s Auto-Select NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.

Usually, the cooler weather and agreeable atmospheric conditions in Reading are ideal for high speeds and quick elapsed times. Stoffer hopes the GEICO team, led by crew chief/husband Gary Stoffer, can capitalize on the good conditions to be a part of the chase for a national elapsed time record, worth 20 bonus points.

“Gainesville, Sonoma and Reading have always been the ones where people try to set records because of all the oxygen in the trees around there, and generally, there tends to be cooler temperatures,” Stoffer said. “It can be a fast track. Gary’s a good tuner, and he’s exceptional in the cool weather.”

Stoffer was pretty good in the cool weather in Charlotte two races ago, qualifying third and reaching the final round. That was her fifth final of 2011 in what has become a career season for the GEICO team.

After reaching the second round last week in Dallas, Stoffer is second in the Pro Stock Motorcycle points standings, 63 out of the lead. And her approach to the Countdown to the Championship, which reaches the halfway point in Reading, is no different than other races this season.

“Right now, I’ve just got to get confident in my Christmas Tree and not think about things like that,” Stoffer said. “That’s what it’s going to take. I know they’ll figure out what slowed down the bike in Dallas and get it to where we can have consistency again.

“It’s the whole package: It’s me being in the right mindset, it’s the bike being consistent. I can’t think about the championship and points. I’ve got to think about each individual pass and making rounds. That’s what it comes down to.”

DOMINIQUE VAN WIERINGEN ON HER ROOKIE SEASON AT SPARTAN SPEEDWAY.

DeWitt, Michigan (Tuesday, September 27th, 2011): 16-year-old Dominique Van Wieringen, a Development Driver for Chad Finley Racing (CFR) and Michigan Motorsports Hall of Famer, Jeff Finley, showed the racing world that it is possible to make the huge leap from the World Karting Association (WKA) to the high-powered Outlaw Bodied Super Late Models division during the 2011 racing season.Prior to the start of the year, Van Wieringen joined forces with CFR and the combination was rewarded with a fifth place finish overall in the season long points chase as well as sharing the 2011 Rookie of the Year title with fellow rookie, Scott Sigman while also winning the 2011 Most Improved Driver Award at the fast ¼ (0.250) mile semi-banked paved oval of Spartan Speedway, located south of Lansing in Mason, Michigan.

Looking back on the 2011 campaign, Van Wieringen has plenty to be thankful for. “The first thing I need to do is thank Durobyte.com and my Family. To get the chance to do the things I have up to now is truly amazing to me.” Remarked the Amherstburg, Ontario / Canada driver. “I’m very grateful for all the opportunities my Dad and Mom have been able to acquire for me in motorsports. Every since I was a little girl and up to now have been things I’ve dreamed about wanting to do.”

The 16-year-old continued; “I can’t thank the entire CFR crew for all of their hard work this year. They really helped me and built my confidence up and taught me a lot throughout the whole year. My achievements are a direct reflection of who they are and what they are about. Jeff and Chad Finley have been around me and my family for a while and have always been good friends and supporters. Jeff has been down all these roads before and brings so much experience to the team it is just great.” She ended.


The highlight of her rookie season was in only her sixth career start behind the wheel of a full bodied racecar and on that memorable Friday night, July 15th, she would fight off two-time track champion, Jimmy Gallagher to score her first career feature win and become just the second female in the tracks long and storied history to win a Feature in the tracks premiere division since Barb Beurmann accomplished the feat back in 1982, 29 years previous! In 10 starts, she has one Feature Win as well as three top five finishes and six top 10s.

“All of us at CFR are very proud of her accomplishments this year. Honestly we didn’t know what to expect coming into the year.” Added Car Owner and Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame member, Jeff Finley. “I met her family through go-kart racing and have watched her for some time now. Her Dad and I got to talking one day and then here we were racing together. For her to go to victory lane this year and win these awards shows her dedication to becoming a great race car driver. We are honored to have her be a part of our development program and look forward to the future with her.” Finley ended.

Throughout the year and on off weekends from driving the Outlaw Super, Van Wieringen also raced one of her two MRP Motorsports Birel Racing Go-Karts as the 2011 season is her final year of racing the National circuit in the World Karting Association (WKA) series where she is one of the top drivers in the circuit. She began her racing career at just five years old as she started out in racing of the two-wheeled variety, in Motocross. She spent six seasons on motorcycles before moving into four-wheeled racing and went Go-Kart racing where she continues to be one of the top competitors within the WKA.

Looking ahead to the 2012 racing season, the Canadian teenager will participate in more Outlaw Super Late Model shows while also racing in 3-5 races within the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by GM Performance Parts with her sights set on going after the Howie Lettow Memorial Rookie of the Year Presented by Howe Racing Enterprises, which is awarded to the top freshman in the JEGS/CRA/GM series, in 2013.

During the 2011 campaign, Van Wieringen’s #95 Outlaw Super Late Model with a Chevrolet Camaro front nose, had sponsorship decals from DuroByte Inc., as well as NorthsideTowing.net, M.P.H. Promotions, and Chad Finley Racing.

To learn more about Dominic Van Wieringen and to inquire about sponsorship opportunities for the 2012 racing season, go to her webpage within the Chad Finley Racing Website at: www.chadfinleyracing.comMichigan (Tuesday, September 27th, 2011): 16-year-old Dominique Van Wieringen, a Development Driver for Chad Finley Racing (CFR) and Michigan Motorsports Hall of Famer, Jeff Finley, showed the racing world that it is possible to make the huge leap from the World Karting Association (WKA) to the high-powered Outlaw Bodied Super Late Models division during the 2011 racing season.

Valerie Thompson Sets BMW Top Speed of 201.01 MPH at Bonneville BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials

(Wendover, UT) – September 21, 2011 – Valerie Thompson ran a personal best top speed of 201.01 mph with her Alter/Bivins Land Speed Racing Team prepared BMW S1000RR Superbike at the 8th Annual BUB Speed Trials. While not a record, her top speed exceeded all other BMW’s competing at the event. Teammate Kerry Alter, co-owner of the Alter/Bivins team, set three new land speed records piloting an Aprila and BMW Superbike.

Thompson’s BMW was sponsored by CTEK, makers of the world’s smartest battery chargers, Troon Enterprises and Hawthorne CAT. Her two top runs were 199 and 201.01 mph. Her attempt for a land speed record was foiled by stiff crosswinds over the 10 mile International course which at times gusted up to 13mph. Thompson said “While we wanted to set a new record with the BMW in the FIM 1000cc class, we did reach a team goal of exceeding 200 mph. This is my fifth year competing in the BUB Speed trials and I exceeded my former best speed by more than 35 mph. Our team accomplished the majority of the goals we set for this event.”

Alter added, “Valerie did an excellent job of driving given the weather and salt conditions. We are proud of her performance considering all her competition ran her a couple of weeks ago, gaining even more course knowledge than we had.” The Alter/Bivins team has established 11 motorcycle land speed records over the last five years.

The BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials were held August 27 through September 1 at the famed Bonneville Salt Flats. The American Motorcycle Association (AMA), verifies and sanctions all US national records. All world records are verified and sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Motoclisme (FIM). Over 300 racers attempt establishing new motorcycle land speed records each year, yet less than 10% set records, signifying the difficulty of this endeavor.

Valerie Thompson Background

Thompson set two land speed records piloting a panhead Harley Davidson provided by Keith Ball of Bikernet.com in 2006 and 2007. She has risen from a competitor in the All Harley Drag Racing Association series, to being a team owner/licensed competitor in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Pro Stock Motorcycle Series in less than five years. The NHRA is the world’s largest drag racing association.

Thompson also serves as a motorcycle presenter for the world’s largest auto auction company, Barrett-Jackson. She is also a spokeswoman for “Val’s Pals” children charities, most notably, HopeKids.

Alter/Bivins Land Speed Racing Team Background

In 2007, Phoenix Arizona resident, Kerry Alter and Julian Bivins joined forces to set a new Land Speed Record in the 1000cc Modified Class at the  Bonneville Salt Flats. In 2008, Alter formed the Alter/Bivins Land Speed Racing team. Between all team drivers, A/B LSR has accumulated 12 motorcycle land speed records.  Alter has eight records, Valerie Thompson holds two and Bivins is also a 2-time land speed record holder.

Event and Organization Information Sources

            www.speedtrialsbybub.com

            www.americanmotorcyclist.com

            www.fim-live.com

            www.ValerieThompsonRacing.com

Media Contact: 

Eric Studer, VP-Marketing

Valerie Thompson Racing

ericstuder@mac.com

CHRISSY WALLACE WINS ASA TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP

LEBANON, Missouri (September 12, 2011) – Chrissy Wallace did something no other female Late Model driver has ever done in ASA competition over the weekend.

She clinched the ASA Late Model championship at her home track of Lebanon I-44 Speedway on Saturday night. In turn, that also put her back in the lead for the West Region track championship, which consists of hundreds of drivers from multiple tracks.

Now, the 23-year old daughter of NASCAR driver Mike Wallace has another fete left to accomplish this year – the ASA Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil National Championship. But, she’s going to have to wait until October to find out the results for the West Region and National championship as other ASA Member track have seasons that are still in progress.

Going into her championship night at I-44 Speedway, Wallace had a solid point lead based off her six feature wins. She just needed to have respectable finishes in each of her 30-lap features on Saturday night to take the crown.

And, she came through finishing fifth in the first feature, and seventh in the second one. Making it even more special was having her entire family on hand for the crowning moment.

In 1990, Mike Wallace won the same track championship and went on to launch his NASCAR career the following year. Now, 21 years later, Chrissy is hoping the same comes true for her.

“This is just great,” Wallace said. “We worked real hard all year to achieve this goal and to have the season over and be the ASA Late Model champion at the same track my dad was, it’s just a very special thing for all of us.

“The toughest part of the year was coming back from being 12^th in points at one time. The level of competition here is incredible, and I enjoyed racing everyone here at I-44 Speedway.

“When we were able to take the points lead here, that put us to the top of the ASA West Division, too. I can’t believe it, we still have two titles to compete for and our season is over. Now, we just have to sit and wait to see how the National and West Region ones work out. That would be the perfect ending to a great season.”

Wallace has made no secret of her desire to return to the NASCAR ranks in either the Camping World Truck Series, or the Nationwide Series. Utilizing her ASA Championships at a catalyst makes perfect sense.

The National and West Region championships will be decided after the final ASA events take place on September 25 at various member speedways. Currently, Wallace and Barry Beggarly of Ace (NC) Speedway are battling it out for the National title.

Wallace is leading the West Region standings, with Beggarly doing so in the East Region. Either way, the Wallace name is still prominent in racing circles around the country.

More info: ChrissyWallace.com

LEAH PRUETT MOVES TO PRO MOD CAR THAT WON U.S. NATIONALS

CHARLOTTE (Sept. 14) – Another race, another challenge for R2B2 Racing’s Leah Pruett in the Get Screened America Pro Mod Series.

At this weekend’s O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at zMax Dragway, Pruett will be driving a new style of race car. She is moving from a supercharged car to the twin turbo R2B2 Race Cars Mustang that won the U.S. Nationals two weeks ago.

“When you first get into a new car, all you think about is doing the right thing,” she said. “You try so hard to not miss a step and do everything on time. I’ve got to give a lot of thanks to Justin Belfance, Melanie Troxel and tuner Steve Petty. They really coached me through the staging process.”

This whole season has been a challenge for Pruett, and she looks forward to getting behind the wheel of one of the quickest Pro Mods on the property.

“We did some testing in Commerce (Ga.) on Monday,” Pruett said. “The starting line procedure in the turbo car is way different than any car I’ve driven before. We made the launches we needed to. I had a blast learning the car. There’s an art to staging this car, but I’ve had some fantastic teachers.”

Pruett added that it’s exciting and a little intimidating to get behind the wheel of a car with such an impressive pedigree.

“Eric Dillard set the bar pretty high by winning in this car its first time out,” Pruett said. “He proved it’s a great car and got all the little bugs out of it. There’s no reason why this car can’t qualify and be capable of winning Charlotte this weekend.”

Get Screened America Pro Mod qualifying gets under way at 2:30 p.m. EDT Friday at zMax Dragway with a second session scheduled at 5:30 p.m. Qualifying resumes at 1 p.m. Saturday with the first round of eliminations starting at 3:30 p.m. and continuing on Sunday afternoon.

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Contact: Geiger Media at 832-971-9345 or rob@go2geiger.com.
Please visit www.R2B2Racing.com for more information.

MELANIE SNOW and ANDREA ROBERTSON > DOUBLE-DOSE OF GIRL POWER AT ROAD AMERICA

A DOUBLE-DOSE OF GIRL POWER AT ROAD AMERICA
Snow, Robertson partnering again in the ALMS' GT class

Andrea Robertson and Melanie Snow had so much fun driving together for the first time in the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón that they’re making it two in a row. Robertson Racing has again paired the ladies together for the Time Warner Cable Road Race Showcase this weekend at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis.


Robertson and Snow will drive Robertson Racing’s No. 40 Doran-Ford GT in Saturday’s four-hour enduro around the famed 4-mile venue. They teamed two weeks ago at Mid-Ohio in a race cut short by rain late in the event. The fact that they are driving in the Series’ deepest and most competitive class makes the task that much more daunting.

“I really don’t have anything to prove to the men,” says Snow, the 2009 ALMS Challenge co-champion and four-time ALMS race-winner. When you’re on the track, everyone is the same. No one goes by you and says, ‘Oh, that’s a female in the car.’ But it’s always in the back of your head. You want to do a good job and show them that you can do it just as good as they do.”

“We go back a ways,” added Robertson, who became the first woman since 1931 to finish on the class podium at the Le Mans 24 Hours in June. “It was refreshing to find someone who is as passionate about it as I am. I don’t know that we want to say that we’ll be better than the boys because there are a lot of great drivers out there. But we do want to show them that girls can have fun, too.”

Snow and Robertson are set for an appearance Tuesday on "The Morning Blend", Milwaukee's TMJ4 morning show between 9 and 10 a.m. CT.

This weekend’s Time Warner Cable Road Race Showcase is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT on Saturday, August 20 with ABC airing the race at 4:30 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT) on Sunday, August 21. Live video coverage on race day will be available at 3:45 p.m. ET on ESPN3.com in the US, and americanlemans.com for international viewers. Canadian fans may also watch live coverage on Rogers Sportsnet, as can European audiences on MotorsTV. Worldwide radio coverage will be available on American Le Mans Radio at americanlemans.com. For more information on the broadcasts, go to americanlemans.com/tv.

Visit the American Le Mans Series' schedule page for information on tickets and area accommodations. You can follow the Series on Twitter (almsnotes), on our Facebook page and the official YouTube channel.

Alexis DeJoria and the Tequila Patrόn team Wins Seattle National Championship

Alexis DeJoria Racing > 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series 24th Annual O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Northwest Nationals August 5th-7th, 2011

Venice, CA (August 8, 2011) - As her Top Alcohol Funny Car career winds down and her transition into the Fuel Funny Car category continues, driver Alexis DeJoria and the Tequila Patrόn team have worked countless hours to achieve their goal of visiting the winner's circle at least once this season.  Sunday afternoon in Seattle they did it.  In a history-making moment, Alexis, who is only the second woman to ever win a Top Alcohol Funny Car National event, and the Patrόn team achieved their goal at the NHRA Northwest Nationals

            "It's been five years in the making!" says Alexis. " Everything just came together for us this weekend! Every round was so crucial, and we were running so consistently. To go from not qualifying at our last race, to qualifying in the 3rd spot, and to have a consistent car in every round is just unheard of. And to do it in the second to last race [as a TAFC driver] was huge! Even though I felt confident about my car, you just never know; it's a 50/50 chance. It's so sentimental to me to have this win, especially as I'm wrapping up my Alcohol career. It feels so great to wind things down on such a positive note!"

Having almost a month off from their last race, the Patrόn crew had a chance to make some adjustments to the car, which proved to be extremely valuable. The team ran consistently quick and fast throughout qualifying, ending up number three with an elapsed time of 5.63 at 256.89 mph respectively.

 

During the first round of eliminations, Alexis made a clean, straight 5.65 at 260.11 mph pass and swept the win, advancing her to Sunday's eliminations. On Sunday morning, Alexis was up against driver and long-time friend Sean Bellemeur. "I have a ton of respect for Sean and was nervous about going up against him. It's always tough to go up against your friends" says Alexis. Although it was his best run of the weekend, he was no match for Alexis and her award-winning Tequila Patrόn car. Alexis not only won the round, but had the fastest speed of the event at 261.02 mph.

With only one other woman (Bunny Burkett) ever to have won a TAFC final round, and the fact that this was her second to last chance to ever win a National event before she moves to the Nitro Funny Car class, the pressure was on for Alexis as she made her way to the starting line. Alexis had lane choice against opponent and previous Seattle National winner, Brian Hough. With an elapsed time of 5.611 and with a speed of 260.26, Alexis was able to take the win!

 

"The feeling of winning is unreal! I was so calm going to the starting line but at the end of the race, when I realized I had won, I was overcome with emotion. I couldn't even get out of the car! I had to sit there for a second and just collect myself. Our Tequila Patrόn team has had many ups and downs throughout our three years of competing together in the Top Alcohol Funny Car class and to have an opportunity for the team to visit the winner's circle in Seattle is very gratifying for everyone who has worked so hard to achieve this NHRA Lucas Oil championship trophy" said Alexis. "To work this hard, and get through these rounds and beat these other teams that are so good and that we have so much respect for is just so humbling. It took my breath away."

About Alexis DeJoria

Alexis DeJoria, daughter of the famed John Paul DeJoria, of Paul Mitchell Systems and Patrόn Spirits is currently the Top Female Top Alcohol Funny Car Racer. Her team, Stealth Motorsports, co-operated by Alexis, is one of the few female-owned and operated teams in the industry. Alexis made racing history when she competed in the first ever 'woman vs. woman' race in her class in 2010, and she is the 2nd woman ever to win a Top Alcohol Funny Car race. Alexis is the female world record holder for the fastest and quickest speeds, and her car is currently the second fastest car in the world in the TAFC category. Alexis is also well-known for her infamous 2009 Englishtown, NJ crash.

Alexis, who had all the opportunity in the world to pursue any type of career, felt strongly about doing something she is passionate about, and she is proud to encourage and inspire young women to go after their dreams. Alexis' need for adrenaline drove her to pursue the unlikely profession of auto-racing. The determination to 'blaze her own trail' continues to drive her and push her to higher levels in the dangerous, male dominated sport of drag racing. Alexis will transition into the Nitro Funny Car category in the Fall of 2011. She will be the fourth member, and second Funny Car driver for the infamous Kalitta Motorsports team.

Alexis is originally from Los Angeles, CA and currently resides in Venice, CA.  Read Alexis' Woman Behind the Wheels feature interview on Track Chic.

Media Contact info:

Alexis DeJoria and members of Alexis DeJoria Racing are available for interview. Hi-res images available upon request. Please contact Allison McCormick at (561) 279-7827 x306 or allison@alexisdejoria.com>

MELANIE SNOW and ANDREA ROBERTSON - TRACK CHIC's WOMEN behind the WHEELS -FORM ALMS' FIRST ALL- FEMALE PAIRING in 10 YEARS

ROBERTSON RACING will field the first all-female driver pairing in ten years of American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron history at the upcoming Mid-Ohio Sportscar Challenge on August 5/6.

Regular driver and team co-owner Andrea Robertson will be joined by highly experienced GT driver Melanie Snow in the #40 Ford GT. Andrea’s husband and fellow co-owner/driver David Robertson has taken the decision to stand down for the two-hour 45-minute enduro. 

Melanie Snow
Track Chic Woman behind the Wheels
September, 2009

Snow, who currently lies fifth in the IMSA GT3 Challenge by Yokohama Platinum Cup standings, having won the 2009 Gold edition, will make her first ALMS start since clinching the GT Challenge class title in 2009. It’s been 12 years since her first and only main GT class appearance when she won on debut at Sebring.

A day’s testing at Mid-Ohio the Tuesday before the race weekend will offer Snow her first chance to sample the Ford GT. At this stage the deal only includes the Lexington round, although further outings could be added.

Andrea Robertson
Track Chic Woman behind the Wheels
June 2011

 
Melanie Snow: “Andrea and I have been friends for a while and always joked about forming an all-girl team. It was something I never really expected though so when I got an email out of the blue it was a shock, but also a nice surprise. Obviously a lot has changed since I last raced in what was the original GT class, but the Challenge cars aren’t too far way in terms of performance so hopefully it won’t be much of a step up. Having said that I’m expecting the Ford to handle completely different to the Porsche I usually race. I’m sure I’ll get to grips with it during the test so we can hit the ground running in Free Practice. At the moment the deal is just for Mid-Ohio but we’ll play it by ear and see what happens for the rest of the season.”

Andrew ‘H’ Smith, Team Manager: “It’s great to have Melanie onboard for Mid-Ohio. She has a lot of experience in GT cars so I’m confident it won’t be long before she’s up to speed in the Ford. Andrea had expressed an interest in her joining the team and I think it’s a great opportunity for them to show how well they stack up against their male counterparts. We’ve had lots of women racers take part in the ALMS over the past 12 years so it’s about time an all-female crew was given their chance. We’re not ruling out running Melanie again later in the season but at the moment Mid-Ohio is the only round scheduled.”

Keep an eye on Robertson Racing’s facebook page, as well as www.RobertsonRace.com, for all the latest news and images. 

16 year-old Rookie, Dominique Van Wieringen scores first career Super Late Model Feature Win

DeWitt, Michigan (Tuesday, July, 19th, 2011): When 16-year-old Dominique Van Wieringen made her debut at Spartan Speedway in Mason, Michigan back on May 6th behind the wheel of an Outlaw Bodied Super Late Model, many on lookers observed that the Amherstburg, Ontario / Canada teenager had a world of untapped potential behind the wheel of a full-sized racecar after her debut resulted in a fifth place finish.

Little did those on lookers realize just how quickly she would adapt to the high-powered machines in such a short amount of time! Van Wieringen, a Development Driver for Chad Finley Racing (CFR) and Michigan Motorsports Hall of Famer, Jeff Finley, and making only her sixth career start behind the wheel of a full bodied racecar, proved many observers right when on July 15th, she would fight off two-time track champion, Jimmy Gallagher to score her first career feature win and become the first female in the tracks long and storied history to win a Feature in the tracks premiere division.

Dominique Van Wieringen celebrates her win with fans!

“This is a great feeling. A lot of pressure there not to mess up those last few laps,” The young Canadian exclaimed. “Jimmy (Gallagher) was all over me. He raced me clean though and I appreciate that. This is just amazing to me. The car was perfect and I just can’t thank all the guys from CFR as well as Chad Finley for his help and guidance. He has helped me a bunch with my line and what I should be doing. Also (Crew Chief) Jimmy D. Smith for his help. Man what a great group of people they have put around me.” She added.

Her next scheduled race at the fast ¼ (0.250) mile semi-banked paved oval located just south of Lansing, Michigan is on Sunday, July 24th in the running of the “Chargin” Charlie Ryan Jr. Memorial 75-lap Feature which is part of the Midwest Racing Scene Sunday Slugfest Series. In the first Sunday Slugfest event back on June 26th, she finished 11th in the 75-lap feature and hopes to improve on that performance this Sunday.

On off weekends from driving the Outlaw Super, Van Wieringen still races one of her two MRP Motorsports Birel Racing Go-Karts as the 2011 season is her final year of racing the National circuit in the World Karting Association (WKA) series where she is one of the top drivers in the circuit. She began her racing career at just five years old as she started out in racing of the two-wheeled variety, in Motocross. She spent six seasons on motorcycles before moving into four-wheeled racing and went Go-Kart racing where she continues to be one of the top competitors within the WKA.

Prior to the start of the 2011 racing season, Van Wieringen joined forces with Chad Finley Racing and is chasing after the 2011 Rookie of the Year title at Spartan Speedway in the tracks Outlaw Super Late Models division. She is leading the freshman title chase by a very wide margin and sits seventh overall in the chase for the 2011 Track Championship. In six starts, she has one Feature Win as well as two top five finishes and five of her six starts have resulted in at least a top 10 showing.

“I just can’t thank (Car Owner) Jeff Finley enough for his years of experience. He has been instrumental in our success this whole year. All the guys in the shop who spend countless hours both there and at the track for me too. I’m very blessed to have such an incredible team who support me as much as they do.” She continued. “I can’t thank my family enough as well. They do a lot for me and I am thankful. My Dad and Mom really have worked hard for me, so again thank you to them. “Van Wieringen ended.
For the remainder of the 2011 racing season, Van Wieringen’s #95 Outlaw Super Late Model with a Chevrolet Camaro front nose, has sponsorship decals from DuroByte Inc., as well as NorthsideTowing.net, and Chad Finley Racing. To learn more about Dominic Van Wieringen and to inquire about additional sponsorship opportunities for the remainder of the current season as well as looking ahead to the 2012 campaign, go to her page within the Chad Finley Racing Website at: http://www.chadfinleyracing.com/

Contact: Jeff Finley
517-819-1560

CINDI LUX TAKES PODIUM FINISH IN ROSE CUP RACE

Cindi Lux became the first woman in Rose Cup history to earn a podium.  

Shown in the Black Rock Coffee Bar-Lux Performance Dodge Viper Comp. Coupe on the grid.  

Image by Jeffrey Zurschmeide.

PORTLAND, June 21, 2011 - Aloha's Cindi Lux added yet another accolade to her already stellar motorsports resume on Sunday. The 12-time, road racing champion earned her first career podium with a third-place finish in the 51st Annual Rose Cup Race at Portland International Raceway (PIR). In the process of setting her personal-best in the Rose Cup, Lux, driving the No. 4 Black Rock Coffee Bar-Lux Performance Dodge Viper Competition Coupe, also made event history. The daughter of the inaugural winner of the race, Dick Hahn, became the first woman in the 51-year history of the Rose Cup to finish on the podium.

Lux, who had previously won her class at Rose Cup support races but never finished better than fourth in the main event, drove a spectacular race to overcome a substantial horsepower disadvantage. Starting fifth against the unrestricted, high-power competition, the 2003 Oregon SCCA National Driver of the Year never placed a wheel wrong during the 45-minute race. She fought her way into third-place before lap 20 when the first, full-course caution bunched the field. With such a massive power disparity, the Viper fell to fourth nearing the restart. However, the pass came while still under caution and race officials swapped the order. With the precise setup placed under her by husband/crew chief Fred Lux, the former Dodge and Mopar factory driver was able to hold-off the subsequent, unassisted assault. Lux kept third until the checkered flag fell. Cindi Lux on her way to her first Rose Cup podium finish in the Black Rock Coffee Dodge Viper. Image by Jeffrey Zurschmeide

Despite always downplaying her place in the progress and success of women in motorsports, the 75-time race winner is credited with several major milestones for females race drivers. Lux bettered over 150 other drivers to win the inaugural American Le Mans Series' Women's Global GT Series championship in 1999. She was named the 1999 Pro-Driver SCCA Driver-of-the-Year and was presented the Northwest Pat Piggot Memorial Award for the most outstanding driver in 1992.  She also became only the second woman in history to win the prestigious SCCA June Sprints in 2004 and repeated the feat in 2006.

The Rose Cup weekend at PIR, which supports the annual Rose Festival, was the debut of Black Rock Coffee Bar into the world of motorsports marketing. By all accounts, the relationship with Lux Performance Group was a resounding success for all concerned. Black Rock Coffee Bar, a Portland-area franchise which features premium-blend coffees sold via an easy drive-thru format, embraced the event using its social media platform, eight-area locations and a concentrated on-site program to maximize its partnership with Lux. The tie-in helped bring guests to Black Rock locations across Oregon, Washington and California as well as introduced the product to hundreds of track workers and spectators at PIR.

In addition to the Dodge Viper entered for Cindi Lux, Lux Performance Group also prepared and managed the Pirelli Cup entry for driver Steve Streimer. Streimer scored his personal career best in the one-make Porsche 911 GT3 Cup series race finishing second. The success of the weekend was not only a testimony to the driver's efforts, but to Lux Performance Group's preparation of the German car and the coaching ability of Cindi Lux who has been instructing Streimer for four years.

Quotes Cindi Lux:   "I don't think I could have driven my Black Rock Coffee Bar Viper Comp. Coupe any harder in this race! I asked 110% of out of the race car for 45 minutes and she held up like a champ. I cannot speak enough about the quality prep that comes from our guys on the Lux Performance team. They gave me the best race car I have driven in a long time; it was on rails. Finishing third is respectable but only gets me fired-up to climb the final two steps in future years. I am never satisfied and always pushing myself to do better. That is especially true here, in front of my hometown crowd! Having Black Rock Coffee Bar on board this weekend was pretty cool. It kept me personally 'fueled' up and ready to attack.  Overall a great weekend."

About racing her home track: "Racing in my hometown is always significant to me and I really try to juggle my crazy schedule to allow me a few days off to race the Rose Cup each year. I'm really looking forward to seeing all the Portland fans at the track. I have gotten to know so many of the fans over the years of coming here it's like coming to a family reunion. This race carries so much personal importance to me. I want to go out there and do my best for my family, for Black Rock and for the city! This is going to be like a giant shot of Black Rock espresso!"

To learn more about Black Rock Coffee Bar and national franchise opportunities, please visit: www.BlackRockCoffeeBar.com. Follow Black Rock on Twitter: www.Twitter.com/BlackRockCoffee and on Facebook at Black Rock Coffee.

Learn more about the Rose Cup, its traditions and its current races at www.RoseCup.com.

For more on Cindi Lux, please visit www.CindiLux.com. Learn more about the Dodge Viper Cup at www.ViperHeadquarters.com. Follow Cindi on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/CindiLux and Cindi Lux on Facebook.

For Enders, a great drag race always begins with a perfect start

BRISTOL, Tenn. (June 15) — When Erica Enders starts her ZaZa Energy Pro Stock Chevrolet at this weekend’s Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, she’ll begin a long procedure that has made her one of the best drivers off the starting line in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.

It’s the same procedure she’s used for years, and she repeats it every time she makes a pass down the drag strip.

The procedure actually starts long before she crawls in the ZaZa Energy Chevy Cobalt, when Enders takes 10 minutes of quiet time to begin focusing on the task at hand. Soon, she’ll begin to clear her mind of outside thoughts and think only on cutting the best light.

“Once I buckle in, all the outside thoughts go away,” Enders said. “I’m able to get all the distractions out of my head, and I think that’s one of the reasons why I do a good job.”

Easier said than done, of course, so Enders first asks for a little help from above.

“I pray for a clear head,” Enders said. “Something my dad told me a long time ago was, ‘Once you get in the racecar, you can’t change anything on the outside.’ There are times when it’s challenging to be able to do it but most of the time I’m able to forget everything else.”

Before she actually fires the powerful Cagnazzi engine on her car, the actual starting-line procedure begins. And though the entire process only takes a few moments, Enders needs several minutes to verbally explain it.

First, she goes through a 12- to 15-step mental checklist before starting the 2,400-horsepower engine.

“That helps me to never forget anything,” Enders said.

Then comes an array of moves, settings, and adjustments that boggle the mind: Enders fires the car, puts the transmission in first gear and rolls through the water box. She puts it in second gear and then stops to make sure it’s in gear. Next, she sets the brake pressure and revs the engine twice.

On the second rev, she drops the clutch and goes through the gears – third, fourth, and fifth – as she drives across the starting line for the burnout.

When she stops after smoking the tires, she pushes in the clutch and begins to back up, listening to crew chief Dave Connolly on her radio as he position her on the track and tells her where to stop.

Enders then goes through another mental checklist, this one more extensive than the first. Switches are toggled, and then Connolly directs her forward to the correct spot.

Crew member Rich Saulino then takes over at the side of the car and guides Enders to a spot just short of the start line, inches from the pre-stage light.

And the checklist continues.

“I re-check everything,” Enders said. “I’m one of the few drivers who hasn’t ever forgot to turn my fuel pumps on or forgot to do this or that. I double-, triple-, quadruple-check everything.”

She’s communicating with her crew, too, confirming switches or changes, so she can check it off in her head and eliminate more things from her mind.

Before staging, Enders then puts the car in neutral to set the brake and clutch as the crew makes its last-second adjustments.

“Dave says, ‘It’s all yours,’” Enders said. “I take a deep breath, put my visor down and make sure all my switches are in the right spot.”

Enders pushes in the clutch and puts the transmission in first gear, rolling forward to turn on the pre-stage bulb. She sets the brake pressure and gets her left arm – her steering-wheel arm – in the correct position.

She revs the motor, gently lets the clutch out a little and stages shallow in the second beam. The Christmas Tree will then begin, and Enders jams the throttle to launch, hopefully cutting a good light somewhere in the .020-second or quicker range.

Enders will then repeat the procedure – exactly – for the next session. And the next, and the next…

“There’s always going to be something different every time you get in the car,” Enders said, “but for the most part, I do my procedure the exact same way every time.”

And that’s with an incredibly long list of things to do, though Enders insists on repeating it every time – and with good reason.

“That’s one of the things that is important to me,” Enders said, “and I think it helps me drive better.”

Qualifying for the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals gets under way at 5 p.m. EDT on Friday. Qualifying continues at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, followed by a Fan Fest in the pits immediately following the final round of qualifying.

Eliminations get under way at noon. ESPN2 will air the qualifying show at 7 p.m. EDT on Saturday and the elimination show at 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

Enders has several media and fan opportunities scheduled for Thunder Valley, from an appearance in the Bruton Smith Suite on Friday at 2:15 to the Fan Fest to the Track Walk before eliminations Sunday.

–30–

Contact: Lee Montgomery at 704-258-0903 or lee.montgomery@zazaenergy.com.

Please visit www.ZaZaEnergy.com for more information.

RoadRage.com Driver Pruett-LeDuc > Bristol Dragway NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals

BRISTOL, Tenn. (June 15) – It’s been an anxious week since the end of the NHRA SuperNationals, but now both Leah Pruett-Leduc and the RoadRage.com Camaro are ready to participate in this weekend’s Get Screened America Pro Mod Series race at the Ford Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway.

Even though Pruett-Leduc’s home and the R2B2 Racing shop are on opposite sides of the country, she kept close tabs on the progress on permanent repairs to the RoadRage.com Camaro following a crash into the gravel trap during the first round of eliminations in Englishtown, N.J.

“Honestly it stinks being in California while all the guys are back in Duluth (Ga.) putting the car back together,” Pruett-Leduc said. “They would send me updated pictures during the week but it’s not the same thing.

“I really have to thank Kevin Mutters and the R2B2 Motors guys for giving us a new coat of paint and of course the race team for working long hours rebuilding the car in-house.”

Pruett-Leduc hopes to repay the team in the best way possible on Sunday afternoon.

“I owe them a trip to the Winner’s Circle and plan on doing that this weekend in Bristol,” she said. “After my crazy first weekend of racing a Pro Mod, I feel confident we’ll put a good number on the board in qualifying and go some rounds on race day.”

Pruett-Leduc qualified seventh in her first effort in a Pro Mod and won a round.

“I can’t thank Roger Burgess enough for this opportunity,” she said. “I’m excited to go to Bristol and make all the hard work my crew did this past week really pay off.”

Get Screened America Pro Mod Series racing gets under way at 4:30 p.m. EDT from Bristol Dragway. Qualifying will conclude on Saturday at 1 p.m., which will be followed by the first round of eliminations, which are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. the same day. Eliminations will continue on Sunday afternoon.

Contact: Geiger Media at 832-971-9345 or rob@go2geiger.com.

Congratulations Track Chic Andrea Robertson - 54 yr old Grandmom takes Podium at 24 HR Le Mans!

Robertson Racing score sensational Le Mans podium

 

American sportscar outfit Robertson Racing today wrote one of the great fairytales in Le Mans 24 Hours’ storied history by claiming a superb GTE Am third place finish at Circuit de la Sarthe in France, the first of any kind for the team in its short four-year history.

The storyline of the plucky privateer American Le Mans Series squad, which receives little manufacturer support in a class dominated by factory-developed machines, could not have been better composed with team owners/drivers Dave and Andrea Robertson celebrating their seventh wedding anniversary today.

Foregoing traditional festivities in favour of the world’s most famous twice-around-the-clock endurance race alongside long-time co-driver, friend and lynchpin David Murry, the crew kept to a strategy built around the consistency and bullet-proof reliability of the Braselton-based team’s fan-favourite #68 Ford GT.

285 laps and 3876 kilometres later, Andrea crossed the finish line to become the first female to climb a Le Mans podium in any class since 1931. The records do not end there though, for this was also the first husband and wife driver team to finish on the rostrum in Le Mans’ 79-race history. Murry meanwhile picked up his second consecutive GT podium finish at La Sarthe following a ten-year absence.

No modern Ford GT has finished the gruelling Grand Prix of Endurance, let alone recorded a podium finish, since the car was first produced seven years ago, while the last Ford chassis of any kind to repeat the feat did so in 1972. Of course, the last Ford GT40, on which Robertson Racing’s machine draws such iconic styling cues, last finished in the top three at this race way back in 1969 when Jackie Ickx and Jackie Oliver triumphed outright.      

While the rest of the GTE Am class fell by the wayside, Robertson Racing kept up a metronomic pace, the car’s only reliability issue of the entire race occurring after four hours when the team lost two laps converting to the ‘manual’ sequential gearbox when its paddleshift system developed problems.

Dave Robertson: “We are as happy as can be. From day one I honestly thought we had a chance in this class, which is why we entered it. We are not the fastest, and I know we have a lot of progress to make, but if the team could work together and have a mistake-free run I always believed this was feasible. We just kept going for 24 hours. We are so glad to be here, but wouldn’t be were it not for the fantastic group of people in the garage and back in Braselton. This is for them. It’s also great to be the first husband and wife on the podium and it makes it even more special that it’s our anniversary. The only problem is I’ve no idea how to top this next year!”

Andrea Robertson: “It comes as quite a shock to be the first woman since 1931 to make the podium and just proves what a male-dominated sport this is. I’m not sure why; perhaps they’re intimidated?! I am also still in awe at being the first married couple on the podium but I think it’s kind of neat. I would once again like to thank everyone in the team from the bottom of my heart because without them, their hard work and dedication, we would not have come this far.”

David Murry: “I am so happy for Dave, Andrea and the team. We have worked so hard for the past four years and this is the pinnacle of what they wanted to achieve, so to come and get a podium on debut is just fantastic. You always dream about a possible result but don’t ever think it could happen so we have just taken one step at a time. This was a 100% team effort and that is what contributes to podiums at Le Mans.”

Andrew H Smith, Team Manager: “Unexpected, fantastic, awesome! Everybody worked so well and it’s been a true team effort over the last two days. It’s taken years of preparation to get here. With just a small bunch of people and a lot of desire we’ve taken on some of the world’s major car manufacturers at the world’s greatest race. I think we can all be immensely proud of our achievement.”

Lee Penn, Chief Engineer: “Awesome! It was absolutely amazing. I never expected it and never dared imagine it even in my wildest dreams. It is just the most unbelievable result ever and beats the podiums I have achieved here so far, including the win with Panoz.”
 

Read Andrea's Women behind the Wheels
Interview Feature and learn more about this
54 Year Old Grandmom making history at 24 Hr Le Mans!