Pippa Mann to enter the Indy 500 with Conquest Racing

Pippa Mann, who sat on the pole for the Firestone Freedom 100 last May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, will attempt to be among the 33 starters for the 100th anniversary Indianapolis 500.

IndyCar.com reports today that Mann will drive for Conquest Racing, joining full-time entrant Sebastian Saavedra, in the No. 36 car. Mann is the fourth female and sixth rookie confirmed as one of the 42 entries for next month’s Indy 500, and she will be the first British female to be on the entry list for the 500 Mile Race.

“Having the chance to compete in the Indy 500 is something that we have been working extremely hard to bring to fruition over the winter," said Mann, who won the Firestone Indy Lights race at Kentucky Speeday from the pole last September. "I tested with Conquest Racing earlier this year, and given how well that test went we have since been working tirelessly to put this deal together.

"The past few months have been a rollercoaster ride for me, and I’m just thrilled that we’re now able to tie things up. There are a lot of entries for the race this year, so it’s a somewhat interesting time to be a rookie, but my qualifying record on superspeedways is good and I’m definitely up for the challenge.

“For obvious reasons, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is one of my favorite ovals, so I can’t wait to get out there in the No. 36 car and see what we can achieve.”

In 27 Firestone Indy Lights starts over two seasons, Mann earned seven top-10 finishes and three pole starts. She closed 2010 with a flourish -- after breaking her hand in July -- with four consecutive top-five finishes (including the win on the 1.5-mile Kentucky oval).

"Pippa is a natural on ovals and we could judge how good she is when we tested her about six weeks ago in Texas," Conquest Racing owner Eric Bachelart said. "She has been part of the team since then and we are all looking forward to working with her at the Speedway this year.”

Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Alexis DeJoria - Team Owner, Business Woman and Fierce Competitor

Track Chic meets Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Alexis DeJoria, the daughter of John Paul DeJoria, of Paul Mitchell Systems, and Patrón Tequila. Her team, Stealth Motorsports, is one of very few female team owners in NHRA.

Thanks to Darr Hawthorne and the Drag Racing Online team who had a chance to sit down with Alexis at the Las Vegas race as this businesswoman and determined racer sets out to leave her mark in drag racing.

Interview by Darr Hawthorne

When and where did you first attend a drag race, and what was it about drag racing that remains in your memory?

AD: My first drag race was at the Pomona National event. I was sixteen years old and went with a high school friend of mine, with whom I had built hot rods and raced them back in those days. We watched those nitro funny cars go down the racetrack and everybody plugging their ears, and I am questioning, “What the hell are they doing?” I watched them going down the racetrack and I remember the feeling was captivating and I wanted to do it. I had always loved racing and wanted to race, but didn’t know exactly what kind and different kinds of stuff, but it was nitro funny cars that really grabbed my attention.

What kind of hot rods were you building at that time?
AD: Chevelles, Bel Airs, mostly Chevys.


How did you get involved in that?
AD: In high school, I always gravitated to the people that had the hot rods that were racing; it was just in my blood from my dad; he used to race when he was a kid. He loved it and it just stuck with me.

Does your dad have any interest in the sport of drag racing?
AD: When he has time. He made it to about five races last year. He loves it; it’s actually his favorite auto racing sport. He’s sponsored a few different types of racing too: Indy Car Racing, NASCAR and now the American Le Mans Series, but he thinks drag racing is the most exciting; it’s his kind of sport.

What’s the first car you ever drag raced?
AD: It was a GMC Typhoon... Oh wait, are you talking about on the street? OK, it’s not cool man, but we all got our start somewhere and I was a stupid kid!

When did you first go down a dragstrip?
AD: It was in Phoenix, Arizona in a ’63 Corvette roadster that I raced in Super/Gas. That was my first competition car. My first actual run down a dragstrip was in Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School in Pomona. Jack Beckman was my teacher.

Who do you look up to in drag racing?
AD: Oh, John Force. (Laughing) I am sure everybody says that, but with everything that he’s been through, he didn’t come out and win races right away. He worked really hard at it. He’s got the kind of energy like my father and I can see the similarities between the two. I love it, I love his energy. I think he’s a great man and he’s great for the sport. He’s wild and I like that about his spirit; there should be more people out there like him.

Of course, Del Worsham. He’s been racing funny cars since he was eighteen and I always really respected him as a driver and a person, but I had a newfound respect for him after I worked with him in a nitro funny car and saw how hands-on he is. He’s a great teacher, he can tune and drive... kinda like a Mike Neff, but such an all around good guy. Those are my two favorites and I was really lucky to have both of them sign my new license.

 What are your hobbies outside of drag racing?
AD: Snowboarding, I ride dirt bikes, I like going skydiving, and I like traveling all over the country and world with my family and my daughter. I love riding beach cruisers down to the beach with my kid and hanging out at the beach, going to music concerts, and enjoying life to the fullest!

Do your peers treat you any differently because you are a woman?
AD: I don’t really notice it. Sometimes, there are little things, but not really. I worked really hard to get where I am, I have respect for these guys and it is a mutual respect.

 And they want to kick your ass... and you want to kick their asses!
AD: Yeah, yeah. We’re all buddy-buddy in the pits, but when you get up there, Nicky and I want to win (Nick Bastiao, the team’s crew chief and co-owner of Stealth Motorsports). But if either one of us don’t, we are still stoked for the other person. That’s what’s cool about sportsman racing, you are still buddy-buddy at the end of the day, somewhat. I love these guys, it’s a big family and I have a lot of respect for what they do.

Escalating costs, like travel, fuel, parts, and everything that is a part of racing in 2011, is that having on your racing at all?
AD: Yeah, fuel is huge, it is expensive. We almost didn’t go to the Gators because of how much the fuel prices have jumped, but I said that we’ve got to run Gainesville. We’ve always done really well there. We used to live there, we just moved back to California and there was no other race for us to make up, because basically the other ones would have been even further for us to attend. Costs have definitely taken a toll on everybody; when you have a tow vehicle that you drive to all the races and a big truck and trailer like this, it’s tons of fuel. But overall we’ve cut down and are just racing National events this year. What I am trying to do is win a National event this year. I have won a divisional, been to a couple of finals at a National and some semis, but I really want to focus on winning a National event. So we have pretty much cut out racing at all Divisionals, except last weekend here at Vegas, but that was really a test session for the National for us.

 Do you feel that the NHRA media gives too much attention to the Force family, to the Force women, and not enough to you, Erica Enders, Melanie Troxell, and some of the other women racers out there?
AD: I think it is just natural because of who he is and what he has accomplished; of course anything associated with Force is going to gain that kind of recognition. That is understandable. I don’t have any animosity towards them. I think it is great; they bring a lot to the sport. Me personally, I want to be known for my ability to drive the racecar and I want to do well, that’s how I want to be remembered. But coming from a father who is also very prominent, I know how that works. I need to work extra hard, just to get away from that to prove and define myself out there. I don’t want to be known as his daughter, I want to be known for Alexis DeJoria, she’s a damn good driver and her car hauls ass. (laughing) That’s what I want to be known for.

 Is there a point where you can see yourself stepping back, away from the driver’s seat and nurturing another woman into drag racing?
AD: I would love to. I want to own my own operation and have other female drivers; there are a few I would love to put in a car right now if I had the means to. There’s not enough but the ones who are out there are really good, and you really have to work a lot harder to prove yourself, because we are going to have that following us wherever we go. But it doesn’t bother me; I’m out here racing with these guys and at the end of the day, we are all trying to win!

 Do you see women like Shirley Muldowney as a role model?
AD: Of course, she paved the way for all of us. If you don’t have respect for that woman, you are crazy. I mean really. As a female, she made it happen for all of us. I have never met her, I would love to. She’s tough - she had to be - and back in those days she really had to work it to get in there and never back down. I admire that and that is the same kind of mentality that I have: don’t ever give up, and follow what you believe in. 

 Do you have that same kind of toughness?
AD: Yes I do, but it’s a little bit easier. I don’t blow up at every little thing; I’ll just tuck it away in the back of my mind and remember it for next time. I learn from my mistakes or experiences, but (laughing) I am more like the stealth fighter: flying below the radar, but keeping tabs on everything.

Thanks to Darr Hawthorne and DragRacing Online Team! 

Maryeve Dufault Solid In ‘Dega Practice; Third Fastest Overall

 

“No. 12 VR 12 / Dodge Motorsports Dodge Charger
Quickest Charger At Talladega”

TALLADEGA, Ala. (April 14, 2011) – - Maryeve Dufault driver of the No. 12 VR-12 / Dodge Motorsports Dodge Charger posted an impressive third fastest time overall during the ARCA Racing Series three hour practice session leading up to tomorrow’s 3 Amigos 250 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

Dufault, the ARCA Racing Series Rookie of the Year candidate for Tony Marks Racing (TMR) led the session early at the 2.66-mile superspeedway before eventually falling to the third fastest time overall. She turned 23 laps overall with her fastest lap being a 51.969 seconds or 184.264 miles per hour.

“I’m real excited,” said Dufault, who will make her second career ARCA Racing Series start Friday afternoon. “The entire Tony Marks Racing team have given me a great VR 12 / Dodge Motorsports Dodge Charger for Talladega. I’m anxious for qualifying later today and hopefully we can have a good race tomorrow and learn a lot.”

She added, “even though this is my first trip to Talladega, I really enjoy the track. VR-12, Dodge and all of our other sponsors deserve some time to be in the spotlight, so hopefully our strong start will continue.”

With qualifying set for later today, Dufault remained optimistic about a pole-contending run but felt their VR 12 / Dodge Motorsports hot rod would be starting near the front. “I’d like to hope that we have a shot at the pole, but I would be happy if we end up somewhere in the top-five. We just have to remain focused the rest of the day and hope for the best.”

The 3 Amigos 250 (94 laps / 250 miles) is the second of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 49th ever ARCA race at Talladega Superspeedway is a two-day show. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for later today slated to begin at 5:05 p.m. Coverage of time trials is available online through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com in collaboration with Alabama’s local WTDR Thunder 92.7 FM. A 45-minute final practice has been etched in on Friday, April 15 from 10:00 a.m. – 10:55 a.m. The event will take the green flag that afternoon shortly after 4:00 p.m. The race will be televised live on SPEED with additional live broadcasting available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com in collaboration with Alabama’s local WTDR Thunder 92.7 FM. All times are local (Central).

For additional information on TMT, Inc. please visit; tmtcompanies.net.

For more on Maryeve Dufault, please log onto Maryeveracing.com

To learn more about Tony Marks Racing, please click over to Tmr-racing.com

See the buzz that VR-12 is creating by clicking over to their website at VR-12.com.

About Tony Marks Racing (TMR):

Tony Marks Racing was founded in 2009 through the passion for racing of team owner and former driver Tony Marks.  Marks is the successful owner of TMT, Inc., a logistics, warehousing and packaging company with over 400 employees whose
customers are mainly comprised of Fortune 100 companies.

Marks began his racing career in 1985 getting behind the wheel of everything from
drag racers, Dirt Late Models, SCCA Formula Fords, USAC F2000 Open Wheel and ARCA cars.  Tony personally raced until 2005 amassing numerous wins, championships and track records along the way until he  then changed his focus from driver to owner and began building racing programs for his children Jared (16 years old) and Rachel (13 years old).  Under the auspices of TMR, Jared began his racing career in 2002 in quarter midgets and now competes in late model, CRA, ASA and ARCA Series events while Rachel continues her development program racing quarter midgets and Bandoleros.

TMR has been at the forefront of charitable giving through its’  “Driving Against Hunger” and “Million Meal Challenge” race programs which have raised over $200,000 for Forgotten Harvest in 2010 at the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series events at Michigan International Speedway.

For the NASCAR events TMR along with TMT, Inc. partnered with Forgotten Harvest for the “Million Meal Challenge For Our Kids” which helps to bridge the hunger gap while schools are out of session and feeds 20,000 children per day in the Detroit metro area. Forgotten Harvest was significantly displayed on the entry of Chase Austin during both the Truck and Nationwide events at Michigan International Speedway along with logos of “Million Meal Challenge” sponsors Walgreen’s, United Race Group, Holyfield’s Choice Alka-Power Water and Vitamin Spice.  Evander Holyfield was also instrumental in the challenge, acting as Grand Marshall for the August race and announcing his “Fight Against Hunger” on behalf of Forgotten Harvest.

As the first race team to “Drive Against Hunger” through their partnership with Forgotten Harvest, TMR plans to continue their alliance with Forgotten Harvest and once again “Drive Against Hunger” during the 2011 season.

PHOTO CAPTION: 1) ARCA Racing Series Rookie of the Year candidate Maryeve Dufault.

###

TEAM COMMUNICATIONS CONTACT:
NAME: Angela Starke / Chris Knight / Knight Motorsports Management
PHONE: 704.500.7384 / 239.834.9797
EMAIL:  angela@chrisknightpr.com / chris@chrisknightpr.com

Calderon Takes Podium and Career Best Finish at Barber Motorsports Park

 

Leeds, Ala. (April 10, 2011) - Tatiana Calderon, 18, came from a career-best qualifying position of sixth to take her first podium and best finish of third place in the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear at today's race in Barber Motorsports Park.  In a race where consistency was the key to success, Calderon was one of the cars who managed to stay clean and out of trouble while still battling for positions.  She can also now say that she is one of only a few women, one of which is former Radical European Masters Series teammate Natacha Gachnang, to claim a podium finish in the Star Mazda Championship.

"I am so happy with my result," said Calderon.  "The car was really consistent throughout race, and that was the most important thing.  The beginning of the race was really difficult because I was having trouble passing at first, but since I wasn't pushing as hard as I could right away, I had good tires at the end.  I really think that's why I finished in third.  I am really happy with team; they did a great job once again.  I'm actually really looking forward to the upcoming oval tracks this year.  I think we will have a competitive car, and I'm ready.  We also got some good points for the championship today, so I'm thrilled."

Finishing just behind Calderon in fourth position was teammate J.V. Horto.  Horto started today's race on the front row of the grid but lost the second place position to fellow Juncos Racing driver Martin Scuncio at the start.  It wasn't long before the young Brazilian reclaimed the position from Scuncio which he held on to until the near end of the 45-minute race, but car handling issues forced him to surrender two positions to Calderon and the No. 81 car of Nick Andries before the event was over.  Horto still crossed the finish line in fourth position, however, and gained some valuable championship points.

"Well, I started the race in second, and we always want to be moving forward, not backward," began Horto.  "Most of the drivers had difficulties on the track today with the heat, and unfortunately, those difficulties hit me with about ten minutes to go.  I think I have to adapt my driving style a little bit to get used to things like that.  Still, the result I got today was really good.  I'm thinking about the championship in the long run, and I'm closer to the top than I was after the first race which is great.  It's only the second race of the season, so we have a long way to go and a lot of things can happen.  We are definitely looking forward to the oval season now.  I had some good results last year for my first year doing ovals with two podiums in two oval races.  The Juncos Racing team also had a good result last year with Conor (Daly), so I'm going to try to put all of that together.  Congratulations to Tatiana (Calderon), and thanks to Juncos Racing, too."

Sixteen-year-old Gustavo Menezes followed in Calderon's suit, also delivering a consistent yet well-fought race today.  The rookie stayed hot on the trail of the cars in front of him and overtook them when the time was right while also driving a solid race.  The result was a well-earned seventh place finish-his best finish in the Star Mazda Championship to date.  He is also tied for seventh place in the driver's championship with both teammate J.V. Horto and GDT's Patrick McKenna.

"I think it was a really good race for me," said Menezes.  "We started in tenth position, and I got a really good start off the line.  From there, the car started to go off, but it was the same for everyone, really.  After that, I was able to adjust to the setup which was important, and it all came together again.  We worked really hard, brought home a solid seventh place finish, and we were really happy.  This gave me some good points for the championship, and I think we are in a really good place for my second ever Star Mazda Championship race."

After what seemed like the perfect start to the race, Martin Scuncio encountered the most struggles out of the four Juncos Racing drivers today.  The 2.3-mile road course seemed to eat up his rubber in the heat, and the car handling issues he had saw him go from third, to second, and ultimately drop all the way back to 11^th.  Nonetheless, the 19-year-old rookie will leave the weekend third in the driver's championship, not at all a bad place to be after only the second race of the season.

"We had a really great start," said Scuncio.  "The first three or four laps were good, and we were really consistent, but then I made some mistakes, and the car started to go off.  I kept falling back more and more and was struggling with understeer, and by the end, I could hardly drive the car anymore.  I really just focused on finishing the race and getting some points for the championship today.  It was a tough day, so I just want to look forward to the next few races from here."

The Juncos Racing team now has over a month before the third round of the 2011 Star Mazda Championship at the "Night Before the 500" event in Indianapolis, Indiana.  They will bide the time by testing in preparation for the upcoming three oval races of the season at the Lucas Oil Raceway, Milwaukee Mile, and Iowa Speedway. 

For more information, please go to www.juncosracing.com.

Contact: Mandy Skinner

Phone: 847-708-7713

Email: press@juncosracing.com                                                                   

 

THE STARTING GRID … How One Woman Single-Handedly Shifted the WOMEN IN MOTORSPORTS Conversation from HOTTIE to HOT TALENT

Simona De Silvestro

changes the conversation 
2011 Honda Grand Prix of St.Petersburg 

Simona De Silvestro hails from a country where auto racing has been banned since the 1955 Le Mans Disaster.  Nonetheless, this Swiss native knew at a very early age that racing was her passion.  Today, at 22, she is making a name for herself as one of racing's brightest young stars.

Simona was the story of the day at the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg as she fought the 2004 IndyCar Series champion and perennial title threat, Tony “TK” Kanaan, to a fourth place finish during the final laps of the IZOD IndyCar season opener. 
 

Starting from the 17^th position, Simona miraculously avoided the six-car pile-up in Turn 1 of the first lap.  Lap by lap she pushed her No. 78 Nuclear Clean Air Energy/HVM Racing car forward through a race pocked with early crashes and restarts.  At one point she climbed to second place, behind the eventual race winner and three-time defending IndyCar Series champion, Dario Franchitti.

Overcoming disappointing practice sessions (combined practice results : Time 01:04.3021/Speed: 100.781 mph), and losing her engineer, Michael Cannon to Tony Kanaan just the Friday before the race, Simona and her team worked hard to qualify 17th in the field   (Qualifying Time of 01.03.2724/Speed 102.414 mph).

During race day morning’s practice session, something started to click between the young driver and her new engineer, Brent Harvey.   They were "tuned-in”  …  and so was their car.  Even though the team was starting from the 17^th position, the team knew the “race was on”!

Suddenly the conversation shifted as Simona was still running hard during the final five flaps, battling TK, one of the most consistent and fearless drivers in the IZOD IndyCar Series, to the finish nearly overtaking him during the final seconds of the race.

Reporters and photographs watching the race in the Mahaffey Theater Media Room cheered both drivers through the tight corners.  Suddenly, the conversation changed gears regarding women in motorsports.  Suddenly, the conversation was no longer about  “media sizzle” or “man vs. woman”.  Suddenly, and thankfully, the conversation was now about “driver vs. driver” as the group united in standing ovation celebrating a race well fought.

Admirably, Simona De Silvestro is committed to creating a new legacy for female athletes of all sporting disciplines who face a constant battle with commercial forces to not compromise their class and dignity in order to satisfy a male dominated marketplace. 

Track Chic was privileged to speak with Simona in the KV Racing Team transporter prior to the race.  When asked if she thought progress was being made she answered simply and straightforwardly:

“I think we are. It’s a choice we all have to make every day.  As long as we continue to make the right choice, the road will be easier for the female athletes in the future.”
 

Thanks, Simona.  Your performance and professionalism bring positive influence to the motorsport conversation.  The “World’s Fastest Spring Break Party” is the starting grid for a new direction.  Progress is being made, lap by lap.

Read more of Simona’s story.  

TEAMING UP WITH CHAMPIONS TO THANK OUR HEROES . . .

It’s not every day you get to have breakfast with Mario Andretti, or have your dinner wine personally selected by Larry Foyt while dining at the famed St. Elmo’s Steak House in downtown Indianapolis, or visit the belly of a KC-135 Stratotanker with all your racing heroes.  But as the “official cheerleader” for espnW’s and Track Chic’s female motorsport fans, it was a humbling privilege to participate in the celebrations launching the Indy 500 Centennial Tour as our favorite female driver, Sarah Fisher, joined other IndyCar legends to personally thank our troops defending our freedom.

Timed to coordinate with the annual gathering of IndyCar Series race team owners, drivers and sponsors attending the State of IndyCar 2011 media event, the winter’s snow blizzard chased us all the way from Atlanta to Indianapolis and back again. We left Atlanta a day early to hopefully beat the snow, and arrived in Indianapolis to, you guessed it, snow. 

Organizing this goodwill tour takes an army of folks to coordinate State Department visas, Defense Department security clearances, military base accommodations, travel logistics to transport 27 people, the Indy Racing Experience IndyCar Two-Seater, and the IMS film crew documenting the trip.  Right away, my husband and I were put to work sorting, folding and packing flight jackets, fleeces and t-shirts for the crew which included drivers, Mario Andretti, Al Unser, Jr., Davey Hamilton, Larry Foyt, Johnny Rutherford, Martin Plowman and Sarah Fisher as well as IZOD IndyCar spokes model, Cameron Haven; Terry Angstadt, President of IndyCar’s Commercial Operations and the legendary sportscaster, Jack Arute. 

Also joining the group is James Taylor, director of Experience Marketing for Hewlett Packard; tour organizers from Morale Entertainment, and Mark "Dill" Driscoll, part owner of Panther Racing and chairman of the experiential marketing firm, Ignition, Inc.  A robust group for sure, all with vibrant personalities and each sharing both pride to be selected and humility for their mission.  They also shared a tremendous sense of humor as the winter storm went from bad to worse and delayed departure for their 10-day tour January 12th-22nd.

Here’s the shakedown: January 10^th-13^th
 

FIRST EVENING was spent at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame with Dill Driscoll, the defending Indy 500 Champion, Dario Franchitti, Al Unser, Jr., Martin Plowman, Scott Dixon, Alex Tagliani, Alex Lloyd, Davey Hamilton, Sarah Fisher, Scott Goodyear and IndyCar Series CEO, Randy Bernard, as race fans and racing celebrities celebrated “A Night of Memories at the Museum”. 

Surrounded by racing celebrities, vintage race cars and memorabilia, the event was heaven on earth and an apt benefit for the IndyCar Ministry, an Indianapolis-based nonprofit Christian organization that serves the racing community.

A signature item up for bid was a beautiful commemorative bottle of wine celebrating the 100^th Anniversary of the Indy 500.  Dill and Dario launched a friendly bidding war for the wine. Dill eventually won the bid at $650 a bottle x 2 bottles = $1,300.  That’s the good news: a generous $1,300 donation was raised for a great cause.  The bad news is that $1,300 of wine was left in the trunk of the car overnight in the blizzard to nearly freeze! The drinkable value is now, probably somewhere in the $5.95 per bottle range!
 

THE NEXT DAY was the annual State Of IndyCar meeting and an opportunity to visit with old friends and make new ones.  That evening, I was invited by radio host Don Kay to join Jack Arute (THE Jack Arute) and Dill Driscoll (THE Dill Driscoll) on Auto Sport Radio, the much-respected “Indy Institution” in sports news.  It was still snowing and we were stunned by the hearty group of race fans packing McGilvery’s restaurant for the weekly live broadcast.  The audience enjoyed a side-splitting exchange of stories, with each guest topping the other with fun memories of their years in the industry.  It was interesting that the audience was close to 50% male/50% female.  Sharing espnW’s vision to create a new world for female athletes and fans and Track Chic’s mission to celebrate motorsports’ forgotten 240 million female fans worldwide was enthusiastically received! 

Our audience enjoyed learning more about the Indy 500 Centennial Tour’s visit to our troops in Europe and the Middle East, which includes visits to Ramstein Air Base and the 435 Medical Group in Germany, airbases in Iraq, Turkey, Bahrain, two-seater IndyCar experiences at Bahrain F1 International Circuit, even an overnight stay on an active aircraft carrier at sea!  The tour will also thank our coalition troops in the UK Military, including possible visits with members of the Royal family, at an air base in England before returning stateside.  Personal requests are made, contact details exchanged and promises given to give their family members a hug if they should happen to see them on the tour.

THE BIG DAY HAS COME, Wednesday, January 12^th and it begins with a military style briefing at 09:30.  Dos and don’ts are authoritatively reviewed by “The Men in Charge”, a.k.a. “Papa Bear” Michael Whalen, Thomas Lee and Nissen Davis of Morale Entertainment.

 

Thoughts are exchanged and emotions shared.  In preparation for the tour, Martin Plowman spent Christmas Eve with wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Medical Center.  The impact was profound as “Plowey” emotionally tells the group of one soldier who, although he had lost both legs in an IED explosion, bravely tells Martin that “he volunteered to give his life, all he gave was his legs”.  All are moved, and recognize that saying Thank You is never enough. 

14:00 – depart for the private airfield hosting the monstrous Boeing KC-135 Refueling Stratotanker for departure. And yep, it’s still snowing!  The wind is whipping and snow is swirling everywhere causing semi-whiteout conditions.  But then you see this grey monster planted on the tarmac … it’s enormous!

You can barely glimpse the IndyCar two-seater already loaded.  The brilliant colors of the car’s decals are the only colors visible against the bleak backdrop of military drab and winter storm bleak. It was a very stark interruption of laughter and joviality, and suddenly we felt as though we were sending them off to Siberia!

14:30 - media event, interviews, informal presentations, laughter, camaraderie, a final farewell by David Henninger, VP Marketing Services for Kangaroo Express, and a blessing shared before departure. 

We all brave the ice and snow to have a guided tour of the plane, this beast waiting for us on the tarmac. 

Holy cow – it’s huge!
But Holier Cow – it is BASIC!

Seats, the few available, are fundamentally heavy-duty slings.  Others will grab the few mesh hammock-like options lining the walls of the plane.  The cold, plywood-covered steel floor is also a seating option.  A critical memo, advising passengers to pack a sleeping bag, arrived too late for many.  Like a good Girl Scout, Sarah Fisher was prepared and brought extra sleeping bags from her race shop. She immediately became the most popular person on the plane!

It was conspicuously obvious that the IndyCar Two-Seater, stowed on the plane next to extra tires and supplies, was going to be First Class Seating.  Mario Andretti and Sarah Fisher quickly claimed “dibbs” for the coveted perception of comfort.

There are no windows on this utilitarian airship, seats are facing backwards and heat is a matter of opinion.  Reality sets in as families, friends and media watched anxiously as the snow continued and weather conditions worsened. We celebrated final clearance from air-controllers in Indianapolis only to simultaneously learn that the destination airbase in New Jersey was now closed due to the blizzard blustering its way Northeast. 

  
Plan B – everybody off the plane, scrap the media tour scheduled for New York the next morning, and find hotel rooms nearby.  Instructions were given to re-convene the next morning for 09:30 departure directly to Ramstein Air Base in Germany.  So party we must and off to St. Elmo’s Steak House we go!

08:30, Thursday, January 13th – a “not so perky” crowd gathers in the hotel lobby for breakfast and the shuttle back to the airport.  It’s still freezing, and yes, flurries are still falling, but we are assured that the mission is a “Go”.

09:30 – SRA Jason Coffey gives safety instructions for the aircraft, including how to operate the oxygen canister and hooded face mask, the anticipated flight schedule, and what to expect during the 9+ hour flight.  One critical final piece of advice is shared as the group gathers to board the plane.  “There are limited sanitary chemicals on board so please use the lavatories sparingly.” advises Coffey.  Mario Andretti laughingly requests “Worst-case, can you open a window?” Like obedient two-year olds, the line suddenly shifts to the airport’s lobby bathrooms for a final “pit stop” before departure. 

10:30 – Wheels up for the final farewell. No one can see us waving goodbye, nor can we see them waving back; there are no windows.  It was a solemn farewell for a serious mission of gratitude for the men and women defending our freedom.   Our team’s goal is to brighten one soldier’s day, to lighten their load and to let them understand that their noble efforts are valued and appreciated.  No doubt that many laughs will be shared and many tears shed during this goodwill tour as lives are touched and hearts warmed.


11:00 – New mission! 
Flights in and out of Atlanta are predictably delayed, so my husband and I begin a long, but quiet, drive back to Atlanta. The mission for which we have been chosen?  Return Dill’s dirty laundry and the two (now empty!) wine bottles to his wife at the Atlanta offices of ignition, Inc!  We laughingly fulfill our assignment and return home to reality – and the mountain of snow waiting to be shoveled from our driveway!  

espnW and TrackChic.com are teaming up with Sarah Fisher to share her personal journal with video and photo updates of this experience!  We will be sharing Sarah’s updates of the Indy 500 Centennial Tour as available from remote destinations, including an active aircraft carrier and military bases in Turkey, Bahrain and the United Kingdom.  Share with friends of families of military personnel everywhere as humble champions come together to thank America’s heroes. 

Read more on www.espnW.com and www.TrackChic.com

WOMEN IN SPORTS > THE NEW "X" FACTOR is a "W"!

Last month, ESPN announced more formalized plans for new products and strategies geared toward women’s sports. The initiative, espnW, will not only assist in developing content and plans for current ESPN programming and media (such as its high school sports-oriented site, ESPNRise.com), but will also look into launching its own stand-alone properties. In an article for Media Post, Laura Gentile, the newly named vice president of the espnW business unit stated, “We’re kind of this business unit within the company that’s influencing businesses, where it makes sense, while also eventually launching a stand-alone brand.”

Targeting women’s sports is a smart move for ESPN who sees women comprising about one-third of its current viewership. Participation in women’s sports continues to grow through high schools, college and professional organizations and even when women aren’t playing the game, they are attending it and supporting their favorite teams and players. Women make up 46.5% of MLB fans, 43.2% of NFL fans and 40.8% of fans at NHL games. Women spent 80% of all sport apparel dollars and purchase a whopping 46% of official NFL merchandise. Women may just be the best untapped opportunity for the sports industry—a fact that the WNBA has known for quite sometime.

In 2001, WNBA games were broadcast to nearly 60 million fans in 23 different languages and 167 countries. While the ‘in-arena’ audience skews heavy with female fans (about 70% of those in the stands are women), the TV audience attracts a 50-50 mix of females and males—once again proving that targeting women does not mean ignoring men. So, how do they do it? At the core of the WNBA’s marketing success has been their attention to values. Showcasing players who are good role models, who are passionate about what they do and developing platforms that tap into those values for their fan base—a strategy that other sports organizations may want to lift from the WNBA handbook. They have created innovative ways for marketing partners to engage with fans and with this year’s “Expect Great” theme, we can only have the highest expectations for a brand that has always been great.

The Power of Women and Money - together we are fueling change!

Thanks Nan McCann from M2W for sharing these statistics! The closing keynote speaker of next week’s M2W®-The Marketing To Women Conference will be WNBA president, Donna Orender ... click here  to register and for more information.