November 16, 2008

It’s been a while since my last blog; I was thinking I should make one of my New Years resolutions to be faster at getting blogs out to all of you. What do you think?

Well, since my last blog we had a NorCal Top Dragster race the end of July at Infineon Raceway. Westerman Racing also attended the Top Dragster divisional race the beginning of August, which was also held at Infineon Raceway. We made it to the second round where we broke out in the crisp cool morning air. Watching from the sidelines it seemed like everyone was breaking out in the second round. The density altitude was 1500 feet lower for the second round than the first round the day before. We had an excellent pit spot near the main gate and got awesome exposure for our sponsors, K&N, Mickey Thompson Performance Tires and Wheels, Triangle Auto Body, Red Line Synthetic Oil, Vom.Com, and DJS Steel.

In the beginning of September my dad and I were two of the 400+ that participated in the Speed channel TV show, PINKS All Out. It was a blast! The Mustang was running consistent 10.90 seconds passes and so was my dad in his Dart. We were excited to think that we just might make the cut and get to be in the show together. They ended up choosing cars running in the 10.20 second range. We were so close! Even though we weren’t in the actual show you might see one of the cars in the clips. There was one pass where I couldn’t resist and made a huge burn out, it was fun! I heard the show airs Thanksgiving weekend so if you’re interested check it out.

The following weekend I took a big step in my life and moved out of where I was living into my very own place. It’s a small cottage style house with a deck that over looks a creek. It was a hard decision to make but I knew that it was time and I had to do it for me. The sense of independence and freedom I’ve felt these past few months has been a very life learning and soul searching experience. It’s a safe, quiet and peaceful place where deer come and graze the grass and eat the falling fruit from the trees almost every morning and night. I absolutely love it!

The weekend after my big move, we were on our way to Bakersfield for a the last NorCal Top Dragster race. The dragster was running hard the first qualifying pass until the very end I felt it just lost power. We took it back to the pits where we found the blower gasket blown out. My crew chief fixed that then found the rocker stud broken. He fixed that and while rechecking the valve lash barely in time for the next round we found a broken roller lifter. Bummer because this meant we were out for the weekend. I have a feeling that either the dragster doesn’t like Bakersfield or Bakersfield doesn’t like the dragster. The last time we were there back in June we had a tire issue after our first round of qualifying. Hmm. . . .

The month between that race and the divisional in Las Vegas, my dad (crew chief) was busy getting the engine back together and I helped when needed. I also took the time adjusting to my new home and really making it mine. The first weekend of November we had the engine in and ready to test before the divisional race in Las Vegas that following weekend. To make a story interesting it rained cats and dogs and elephants (as my mom put it) that weekend. So rather than taking the dragster to Sacramento Raceway’s test and tune as planned, we took it to my dad’s work and had the chance to start it in the warehouse. It sounded awesome it the 60,000 square foot warehouse and we felt that we were ready to rock’n’roll in Vegas.

So that we could make the test and tune in Vegas, Alex (crew member) drove all night long. By the time we got there Thursday at 6:30am he was exhausted but I was so thankful and appreciated his determination to get us there in time to run the car before our first qualifying pass on Friday. Test and tune went well and we felt we had a chance for Friday. Driver (me) error the first qualifying pass cost us our first shot at making the cut and getting accurate numbers of what the car ran. Saturday morning was our last chance so I practiced what I had to do in my head all night long. The car made a great run down the drag strip but we weren’t fast enough to make the field. We ran a 7.48 ET and the bump spot was a 7.28 ET. There were 79 dragsters that showed up from all across the country and Canada to compete for only 48 positions! I think of it this way, I didn’t actually lose because I didn’t get to play.

Today November 16, 2008 we were out at Infineon Raceway racing in Super Pro with the dragster. We decided to use this race as a final test’n’tune for the season. First pass with the exact same set up from Vegas we ran an ET of 7.16 seconds. I was so happy but then my crew chief decided to be more consistent in this bracket race we should slow the car down. He put on a slower blower pulley and the next run we had an ET of 7.32 followed by a 7.33. To be safe for eliminations we dialed a 7.34 and ran a 7.339. Luckily even though we broke out the other driver red lit giving us the win! Second round we kept the 7.34 dial in and ended up running a 7.37. Too slow to win but it was a good day out there with friends and family. Kevin a family friend was racing my dad’s Dart and went to the third round before being eliminated, congratulations!

If you’re interested in donating to the community, Infineon Raceway will again join forces with the public this holiday season for its 8th annual Thanksgiving Food Drive, Nov. 3-21.

These are incredibly difficult times, making this year's drive extremely important - all of the non-perishable food items collected will be given to the Committee on the Shelterless (COTS) in Petaluma and Friends in Sonoma Helping (FISH) in Sonoma. The annual food drive has generated more than 11,000 pounds of food since its inception in 2000, including 2,300 pounds in 2007.

Through the generosity of the public, Infineon Raceway hopes to at least match the number from 2007. Please donate if you can!

We’ll be out of town with family for Thanksgiving and are hoping to make it home in time to race again in Super Pro at Infineon on November 30. If we don’t see you there have an excellent holiday and remember to be thankful not only for the things you have but for the people who are in your life~

July 12, 2008

We have been very busy these past few months and now we have to get you updated on how we’ve done at our recent races. In my last blog I left off telling you about our first NorCal Top Dragster Association race in Fallon, NV. On our way to Fallon we ran into every weather condition you can think of from sunshine to rain to hail and even snow. I was a little concerned what the weather would be like when we got to the track Friday and was surprised when the sun was shining. Saturday I awoke to rain and on our way to the track saw the sun peaking its way through the clouds. Well that passed quickly and more rain came. We still had hopes the rain would stop long enough for the track personnel to get the drier out and dry the track in time to get our scheduled Saturday race in. Eventually the rain did stop but only to be replaced by hail. The majority of the dragster was under the canopy but the front portion was hit by hail and it was very sad to see. The hail made it very unsafe to even think about doing a race so the track and our association decided that we could squeeze our two races into Sunday. Sunday I awoke to rain and on our way to track didn’t see the sun peaking its way through the clouds. I knew deep down the race would be cancelled but wanting to race so badly put it in the back of my head and was of course disappointed when it was cancelled. It was definitely an experience and wasn’t at all a weekend wasted. I can say this because I got to see my brother’s house that he recently bought and spent some quality time with him since I don’t get to see him often. Also, we got 20 points which tied us for first place in the NorCal Top Dragster Association.

June 7th and 8th was scheduled as a NorCal Top Dragster race in Bakersfield but got rescheduled to be at our home track in Sonoma. I was really struggling with my lights for some reason and was starting to get a little frustrated because I had been practicing on my practice tree and was cutting some really good lights. But in reality everything is different when you’re suited up, in the car and have that feeling of adrenaline and nerves running through your body. Saturday we went out second round due to my not so good light. Sunday we lost first round to a .001 (.000 is a perfect light) light and by .027 at the finish.

After the race, I got creative and set up my practice tree to feel more like I was in the car. Visualize a steering wheel that I taped what would be my transbrake button to and a gas pedal on the floor. I was hoping this would stimulate the real life actions I take when at the line. With much practice I felt ready for the divisional Top Dragster race in Fallon, June 14th and 15th.

We arrived Friday and made a few runs until we felt confident to go into qualifying. We qualified in the middle of the field. Saturday my dad had the dragster running consistently and my lights were dialed.  Sunday which was Father’s Day, I wanted to do well for my dad because of all the hard work and everything he has done for me. He is my number one supporter in racing and has been a real inspiration that I can do what I put my heart into. His honesty in teaching me as I grow in this thing called life has helped me become the woman I am today. First round on Sunday we dialed the dragster 7.74 and ran 7.75.  The crew did a phenomenal job but as the driver I let 1st round jitters get the best of me and I redlit. 

Below is a photo that was taken that weekend in Fallon, NV.
http://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCPhoto.asp?ID=161346&Filter=30#indextop

We have also updated photos at www.GirlPowerRacing.com, so check them out in the 2008 folder!

The weekend of June 25 we attended a NorCal Top Dragster Association race in Bakersfield. It was also the north vs. the south race. (South won, but who’s counting?) Saturday’s race we won first round and lost second. Sunday after our first round of qualifying my mom saw that my left rear tire had bubbles on it where the rubber was separating. We think this happened because mid track I was running into tire shake which cause the rubber to bubble and actually made a semi deep hole. We decided to stage the car for first round, hoping our opponent would red light or even better break out. Let’s say we didn’t win first round but we picked up 20 more points than we would have if we hadn’t tried.

Due to the tire issue, I didn’t go to the races on July 4th, but my mom and dad did. My mom raced the Dodge Dart in Trophy and made it to the semi finals. Go MOM! I’m so proud of her and I think she was pretty excited to win a trophy.

I want to get some feedback from you about my website. So please shoot me an e-mail or leave a comment in the guest book and let me know what you like, want to see or just leave a comment.

If you aren’t busy this Sunday July 20, stop by Infineon Raceway and find us in the pits, we’ll be there! Thank you to my sponsors Westerman Racing, K&N, DJS Steel, Triangle Auto Body, Mickey Thompson Performance Tires and Wheels, Red Line Oil, Yankee Services and Vom.com.

April 10, 2008

Westerman Racing hopes that everyone has had a fabulous new year so far. It’s been a busy year for us since my last blog. I started a new job the end of November 2007 working with barrel alternatives where we are “shaping the taste of fine wines” supplying the wine industry with flavors through oak barrel infusion products. I took a position in sales and marketing and since then have been very busy learning and working in multiple aspects of the company from sales and marketing, logistics and operations. It’s been an awesome experience and I’m lucky to say that I love my job! The people I work with are amazing; they have not only helped me grow in my work experience but have helped me continue to become the kind of person I am striving to be as an adult.

Westerman Racing has an announcement to make; Red Line Oil and Triangle Auto Body have joined our team. We appreciate them and our sponsors who have continued to be part of our team for the 2008 race season. We are extremely excited for the coming season and what’s in store for us. My dad (crew chief) installed a delay box with cross talk and rebuilt the engine in the 454 cubic inch blown alcohol GirlPowerRacing.com dragster. On March 22, Westerman Racing had the opportunity to take the dragster along with the Mustang out to Infineon Raceway for a Summit ET race. There we raced the Mustang in the Super Pro class where we were consistently running in the high 10 second range. It was time for eliminations and we knew that the car would slow down so we dialed it at 10.88 seconds. I had my opponent at the tree and thought the win was mine until I crossed the finish line and my win light didn’t come on. Unfortunately my car slowed down more than we expected and we lost to the eventual runner up by an inch or less or .0013 of a second. We got to start up the dragster’s new engine and play with the new delay box that will help us be more competitive in the Top Dragster class. We ran into a wiring glitch so it was well worth taking the dragster out. My dad got the wiring fixed and we decided to take the dragster out to Sacramento for test’n’tune on March 29. The weather wasn’t very promising and fortunately when we got to Fairfield we called the track and got a message saying that the test’n’tune had been cancelled. We decided to go to the next test’n’tune April 4 which wasn’t cancelled. To help break in the engine I made a half pass for the first run. It felt really good to get back in the seat and back on the track in the dragster. The next pass we ran 7.40 seconds at a 181 mph, then 7.38 at 183 mph. The day was almost over and we were happy with the results of the dragster and the delay box so we decided to load up and head home. We’ll be back at Sacramento Raceway on April 19 for another test’n’tune before our first NorCal Top Dragster Association race in Fallon, NV May 24.

I would like to take a moment and dedicate this entry to Mark Tallent. Mark was not only a fellow racer but was a friend who unfortunately lost his life too soon to cancer on March 27, 2008. We met him a few years ago through a mutual friend on the east coast who people know as Money Maker. Mark raced a badass wheel standing Mustang in the Division 7, SS/L class. We didn’t get to know Mark as well as we hoped we would in future races but the time we did spend with him he wanted to do nothing but support, help us succeed and enjoy racing. His passing has made me realize that life is too short and everyone should take the time to get to know the people who cross their paths and who are in our lives because you never know what the next day brings.

In memory of Mark Tallent – March 6, 1960 to March 27, 2008

December 8, 2007

As the year of 2007 is coming to an end, here’s what Westerman Racing has been up to. On October 24 we had the Mustang out for the Wednesday night drags at Infineon Raceway. It was down to me and my competitor in the final round of Jack Pot. My competitor was dialed in with an ET of 9.51 seconds while my dial was 11.00 seconds. I had the advantage of starting first so off I went with a .030 reaction time followed by my competitor with a .034 reaction time. We both broke out due to the dramatic change in weather and unfortunately I broke out by more with 10.96 ET to his 9.50 ET leaving me in second place.

On the last Wednesday night drag race of the season my crew chief had the Mustang dialed in. The car decided to fall out of consistency and pull through the traps faster than it had all night in the semi-final round. It’s ironic how this car always seems to do that even when the weather temperature, DA and all the other factors stay the same.

The beginning of November, Westerman Racing attended the NorCal Top Comp Association end of the season BBQ. There we had some awesome food, a reaction time race against one another and were surrounded by wonderful people. Congratulations to “Stanman” for finishing first in points! I think I told you before but Westerman Racing finished seventh in points after missing the first few races of the season. We also got the Newbie award, which was very cool!

In my last blog I told you on November 25, Westerman Racing would be taking the Mustang and Dart to Infineon Raceway for the Thanksgiving weekend race. We did just that and had a great time! I ended up losing in the third round of Super Pro by once again breaking out. I was on the brakes but couldn’t get on them soon enough. On the other hand, I’d like to share with you how proud I am of my mom who drives the Dart. She has become more comfortable in the car and I know as she continues to get more races under her belt she will only improve her racing skills.

I know I say this every time but they are such an important part of Westerman Racing being able to continue racing. One last time for the 2007 year we would like to send a huge thank you to VP Racing Fuels, K&N, Mickey Thompson Performance Tires and Wheels, Badass Racing Engines, Yankee Services, Vom.Com, DJS Steel and Clint Graves Photography. We’ve had fun racing with you!

From all of us at Westerman Racing have a happy and safe holiday season; we’ll see you next year!!!

September 24, 2007

We made it home from Bakersfield where we raced our last two Top Comp races of the season. On Saturday, Westerman Racing really stepped it up for the first race of the weekend. I have to say that Steve the crew chief has really figured out the GirlPowerRacing.com dragster and had it dialed in. We made it to the semi-finals where we dialed the dragster with an ET of 7.59 seconds and ran an ET of 7.581 seconds. We broke out by only nine thousandths of a second. It was definitely close and I, the driver tried to finish line race but I was still too much of a stripe hog which cost our team the race.

Sunday, we were paired up against “Stanman,” the points leader of the NorCal Top Comp Association in the first round. Even though we lost, our team gave him a run for his money. I had a .023 light to his .015 light and ran two hundredths off my dial while he ran dead on his dial. This season we have become even more confident in our team and the data that we’ve collected to continue being competitive. My team and I really enjoyed racing against the women and men in the Top Dragster and NorCal Top Comp classes.

Even though we missed the first three races of the Top Comp season because we were trying to help save the Super Eliminator class from its slow death we still finished 7th in points in Top Comp. Pretty exciting stuff!

With only one race left this year where Westerman Racing will be taking the Mustang and Dart to Infineon Raceway on Thanksgiving weekend I want to extend my gratitude to all my sponsors. They have been so helpful this race season and Westerman Racing couldn’t have learned and been so competitive without their support.

VP Racing Fuels, K&N Filters, Mickey Thompson Performance Tires and Wheels, Badass Racing Engines, Yankee Services, Vom.Com, DJS Steel and Clint Graves Photography thank you from all of us at Westerman Racing. We hope that you will continue to be a part of our team as we’ve had fun racing with you!

September 9, 2007

The month of September started off great! I’m currently sitting in the truck on my way home from Bakersfield and I’d like to share with you our newest additions to Westerman Racing by welcoming DJS Steel and Vom.com to the team. Thank you for jumping in and wanting to go racing with us!

On September 3 we had a race where my mom and I raced at Infineon Raceway. The Mustang ran great and made it to the second round where I was chased down by a car that had a throttle stop. Let me tell you it’s tricky finish line racing against a car that you are being chased by. I let off the gas too much too soon and lost by a few thousandths of a second. My mom got out there and gave it her all in the Dodge Dart. In her first round she lost traction about half track and got back on the gas after gaining control, but it was too late. She had fun and gained a little more experience driving the car.

The divisional race in Bakersfield was this weekend and we raced the GirlPowerRacing.com dragster in the Top Dragster class. Friday we made some qualifying passes where the dragster and driver were in sync. First pass the dragster ran an ET of 7.54 with a .008 light, second pass was a 7.58 ET with a -003 light (a little too quick on that one) and the third pass was a 7.56 ET with a .011 light (much better on the tree). Eliminations started on Saturday where we dialed the dragster with a 7.54 and ran a 7.544. As I was waiting for the truck to come pick me up on the return road I was a little bummed because I thought I lost the race since I didn’t see my win light. My parents pulled up and I saw my mom with the biggest smile as she was clapping, and that’s when I knew we won the first round. Second round we were paired against our neighbor in the pits and so when they called us to the lanes we went up there together. The weather was worse than before so we changed the dial to a 7.56. We were the first pair down the track and neither one of us ran our numbers, but unfortunately we were 7 hundredths off while my opponent was 5 hundredths off, which cost us the race.

Once again it was a very rewarding weekend, where we continued to learn, were safe and had a blast. I can’t thank my sponsors; K&N, Mickey Thompson, VP Racing Fuels, BadAss Racing Engines, Yankee Services and our newbie’s Vom.com, and DJS Steel enough for all the continuous support they’ve given Westerman Racing through out the race season. Our next race is the weekend of September 21 back in Bakersfield for two Top Comp races, so I hope to see you there!

August 16, 2007

First off I want to start by apologizing for taking so long to update my blog. Since graduation I’ve been keeping busy. In July we had a race where we were able to continue our learning with the dragster and Westerman Racing is continuing to have a lot of fun doing it. In mid July I traveled to New York City for my first time. I walked across the Brooklyn Bridge and through Central Park. I saw Ground Zero which was absolutely heartbreaking and it’s amazing that we still have such great heroes here in America. I have the greatest respect for the women and men who were there to help on 9/11. After New York I had somewhat of a break while I house sat for a friend whose dog had four of the cutest long hair Dachshund puppies.

The last weekend of July I attended the FRAM Autolite Nationals at Infineon Raceway, which is always a great time. I love how you can feel the Top Fuel dragsters and Funny cars in your body as they race down the drag strip. That following Wednesday was Sonoma’s first National Open also at Infineon Raceway. The turnout of cars was spectacular which in turn extended the race into Thursday. All day we were having some problems with the tires shaking and our first round of qualifying the dragster’s throttle cable broke. With hard work we got the cable fixed but unfortunately we lost first round due to tire shake. The team was able to play with tire pressures and timings Thursday afternoon at test’n’tune. Mike from Mickey Thompson Performance Tires and Wheels was a great help coming to our pit and checking to make sure nothing was wrong with the tires. He gave us some helpful pointers and checked in to see how everything was going on Friday which was qualifying for the Top Dragster divisional race. We qualified number 32 out of 48 cars which is an improvement from the Las Vegas race. Westerman Racing did a fabulous job of getting rid of the tire shake and dialing the GirlPowerRacing.com dragster in. The driver who had awesome lights all week and who I won’t name names (hint, hint) jumped the gun and red lit off the line. It was a total bummer because my team worked so hard to get the dragster to run without tire shake or other problems. On the bright side, the race gave us the opportunity to overcome another obstacle and we are becoming much more comfortable with the dragster.

The summer’s almost over and you know what that means, so is racing season. We still have a few more races coming that I’m really looking forward to. September 3, we’ll be out at Infineon Raceway where I’ll be racing the Mustang in the Super Pro class and my mom will be joining in the girl power spirit while she races the Dodge Dart in the Trophy class. After that we have a Top Dragster race in Bakersfield September 6-9 and we’ll be back in Bakersfield September 21-23 for a Top Comp race. I’ll make sure to keep you posted on these races in a more timely manner.

Thank you again to everyone for being supportive and excited about racing with and against us!

June 7, 2007

May 26, 2007 I attended my college graduation from Sonoma State University. After the ceremony my family and friends joined me for a BBQ at the Beltane Ranch. It was absolutely beautiful there and the food was awesome! Thanks to Mike we got some great pictures of the celebration that are posted in the photo album titled People. If you scroll down to the bottom there’s a folder with my graduation pictures. Memorial Day we raced in Sonoma, CA at Infineon Raceway where we didn’t get to run our first elimination run because we had a small puddle of fuel from the overflow. We have corrected this problem so it shouldn’t happen again.

Last weekend we attended a NHRA Division 7 race at Top Gun Raceway in Fallon, NV. For the Top Dragster class we felt that we could be more competitive if the high gear only transmission was converted to a two speed. It was fun to finally get out there and see how the new two speed transmission felt and how it improved the GirlPowerRacing.com dragster’s performance. We didn’t win the race, but we did come home with an award. Westerman Racing received the 2007 Best Appearing Crew award. Cool huh? I didn’t even know that there was such an award. It’s funny that we got it because my dad always gives me a hard time that when we go to the races we’re not in a fashion show.

Unfortunately, due to the lack of competitors we will not be racing in the Super Eliminator class anymore this season. Instead we will be switching gears and will begin racing in the Top Comp class that doesn’t have a set index so we will be bracket racing as we do in the Top Dragster class. I’m sad to leave my friends in Super Eliminator, but I’m excited to get back to my roots of bracket racing consistently in every class that we race in.

Our next race will be at my home track which is Infineon Raceway where we’ll be racing Saturday and Sunday in Top Comp. If you can’t make it and want to see more video of the dragster in action check out the new video clip titled “Take a Ride with Missy.” There are two versions of the same video so if one doesn’t work try the other. To all the dads and soon to be dads, Happy (early) Father’s Day!

See ya at the races!

May 13, 2007

Hi all~

I wanted to update you on how the Top Dragster race went in Las Vegas the weekend of April 20. We didn't get a chance to do any testing before the race because mother nature was not on our side and every chance we planned to go out to the track it rained. So we went to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with high hopes that the GirlPowerRacing.com dragster and Westerman Racing would make you proud. We made it into the 48 car field, qualifying on the bump spot with an ET of 7.540 seconds. After the last car ran and didn't bump us out, the whole team was jumping with excitement that we would get to race! It was a pretty exciting feeling since this was my very first Top Dragster divisional race. We won the first round with a .007 reaction, ET of 7.531 @ 185.59 mph. Round two was on and we won again with a .021 reaction, ET of 7.533 @ 185.77 mph. Unfortunately round three was the end of this journey and we lost with a package of a .035 reaction, ET of 7.556 @ 183.94. Overall Westerman Racing did a great job and had an awesome time. Our next race was a Super Eliminator race on Saturday, May 5 at Sacramento Raceway. It was extremely windy and they let us run, but only 1/8 mile. I have to be honest I was a little disappointed because 1/8 mile racing isn’t as fun as the full 1/4 mile. We went out first round but still got some data for running the index of 5.05 seconds in the 1/8 mile. Normally in the Super Eliminator class we run the 1/4 mile and have an index of 7.90 seconds. The next race is a Super Eliminator race on Memorial Day at Infineon Raceway. This race will take place two days after I graduate from Sonoma State University. I’ll be graduating receiving a B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis in Human Resource Management. It’s going to be a busy weekend but I’m ready for it and I hope to see you out there!

I want to make a special thank you to my team for all the hard work they continually do. Mom, Dad, Frank and Alex, you all put in well over 100% and it’s greatly appreciated, thank you!

April 10, 2007

It’s been a few months since I’ve updated my blog because many things have been happening. As you know racing season is starting, so on March 10 we took the GirlPowerRacing.com dragster out to Sacramento Raceway to do some testing. Thanks to my sponsors; Badass Racing Engines, VP Racing Fuels, K&N and my new sponsor Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels, the car was running its best. After running a 7.17 second pass off the trailer, we decided to get the signatures for my advanced ET license since I was only licensed to run 7.50 and slower. After I made several other low 7 second passes and having my fastest speed pass of 193 mph, I got all the signatures I needed for my license. Now I’m licensed to drive any dragster as fast as 6.00 seconds in the quarter mile. The weekend of April 20 we will head to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway to compete in our first Top Dragster divisional race.

Thanks to Arron at Badass Racing Engines we were able to get a new BDS blower to replace our old Ed Pink magnesium piece. We need to get the dragster dialed in with the new blower before hauling the 600 miles to The Strip at Las Vegas, so we decided to take it to Infineon Raceway last weekend to do some more testing before the race. Unfortunately the track was too wet and the event was cancelled, so cross your fingers that this weekend the weather will be good so we can get some runs in at Sacramento Raceway. Thanks for your support!

January 5, 2007

Happy 2007! In December the team attended Korbel California Champagne Cellars West Coast Super Eliminator banquet. We were wined and dined by Gary Heck and his crew, who did a fabulous job. There I was presented the 2006 Rookie of the Year award and the 7th place finisher award, thanks to the hard work and endless effort of Westerman Racing. As some of you may not know, the Super Eliminator class will not be part of the divisional races this year. The GirlPowerRacing.com dragster will continue to race in the West Coast Super Eliminator Association, but will also be racing in Top Dragster. Top Dragster is a new class where the fastest thirty-two dragsters will qualify to ET handicap race going no slower that 7.90 in the quarter mile. Along with running the dragster, my 1966 Mustang will continue racing in the Summit ET Division 7 races in the Super Pro class, as well as Infineon Raceway’s Wednesday night drags.

I would like to take a moment to welcome K&N and VP Racing Fuels to our team. They are new sponsors for the 2007 race season and I thank them for coming on board with Westerman Racing. Special thanks to Badass Racing Engines, Yankee Services and the Cordisco Family for continuing to be such an important part of our team.

The first race of the season is a Summit ET race at Infineon Raceway on January 15. I am extremely excited to start the 2007 race season.

September 10, 2006

Labor Day weekend, the Girl Power Racing.com dragster and Westerman Racing were off to Top Gun Raceway in Fallon, NV for the last Super Eliminator race of the season. We arrived Friday afternoon and did the test’n’tune there, so we could accumulate some data since we hadn’t raced the dragster yet at such a high altitude. Saturday during the final qualifying pass before the race began, the dragster’s throttle cable broke. Thanks to my crew we got the cable fixed and won the first round. We came back Sunday, qualified #3 and won the first round again. The weekend overall was very beneficial and rewarding for our team. Special thanks to my grandparents, my brother and his fiance and the Cordisco Family (my aunt, uncle and cousins) for showing their support and cheering me on. Also, thank you to Rathke Racing for helping us out and always being so supportive.

This was our first season owning the Girl Power Racing.com dragster. We collected good data that will help us dial the car in for next season and we proved that we are a competitive team. Westerman Racing learned a lot about the car and how important teamwork is in making a race day a success. In success I don’t necessarily mean winning, (don’t get me wrong, winning is what we strive to do) but having fun and most definitely being safe!

August 19, 2006

Last night we took the Girl Power Racing.com dragster to Sacramento Raceway for a test ‘n’ tune night. Thanks to the crew of Westerman Racing, Steve (my dad/crew chief), Barbara (my mom/fuel lady) and Frank (team mechanic), the car was running great. According to the previous owner, the dragster ran it’s best 60’ foot time of 1.171 seconds (with a one speed transmission). Not only was the car running hard, but I made my career best time with an elapsed time of 7.46 seconds at 185 mph. I have to tell you it was so much fun and I can’t wait to do it again!

I also got to help a fellow racer get his NHRA license by signing off as one of the license drivers on his license sheet. It was pretty cool; he came up to me the “girl.” Times sure have changed. I remember watching Heart Like a Wheel a movie about the legendary Shirley Muldowney and the struggles she went through just to get one guy to sign off on her license sheet. Her perseverance and accomplishments are what makes it possible for women like myself be the ones that get to help the guys out.

Our next race with the dragster is Labor Day weekend in Fallon, NV. Last time I was there I was racing the Mustang in the Pro class. I hear they’ve done a lot of changes to the track and I’m extremely excited to get out there and put the pedal to the metal. I hope to see you there!