Orlando World Street Nationals 2006

Orlando, FL-- October 25-29, 2006

10/29/06: Erica qualifies #23 out of 67 cars in tough Pro Street field.

The annual World Street Car Nationals is the Indy of heads-up doorslammer racing in the country. Erica attempts to qualify in Pro Street, running into problems with a broken rack, and a loose track at the top end. She takes the #23 position out of 67 cars, but exits first round with a blown ignition fuse.

(Photo Credits: Lauren Ortiz; Ian Tocher; Adam; Competition Plus; Jeffery Dunn)

FFW Ford Mustang World Finals 2006

FFW Ennis, TX - September 17-19, 2006
09/18/06:
Though problems and rain plague her, Erica finishes off rookie season #2 in points.


The final stop on the FFW 2006 tour was less than stellar for the Horsepower & Heels Thunderbird. Ignition problems plagued qualifying attempts, and a broken transmission on the starting line during first eliminations round sent Erica home early.


(Photo Credits: Aspen Tarkington, Chris Parisi)

FFW Topeka 2006

FFW Topeka Heartland Nationals - Topeka, KS - September 9-12, 2006
09/12/06: Bigger turbos cause some traction issues, but Erica manages career best 1/8 mile ET.
FFW Heartland Nationals

Switching to new larger 88mm turbos before the race with no test time made it a tough learning curve for the weekend.
Erica hauled the Horsepower & Heels Thunderbird from Alabama all the way to Topeka alone, as her normal crew were out testing a Pro Mod in Valdosta, GA. Dennis Lugo flew in from Orlando to assist Erica over the weekend. The pair sorted through some tough timing issues before qualifying #4 with a 6.88 @ 203mph. That pass provided Erica's best career 1/8th mile ET of a 4.44, but timing retard stayed on in high gear resulting in a less than average top half.

This paired Erica first round with David Schorr again. Though Erica took the advantage at the tree with a 0.032 to his 0.103 light, she lost traction down track and Schorr went around. Erica did move into the #2 position entering the final race of the season in Ennis, TX.

(Photo Credits: Gabe Wittig)

FFW Bristol 2006

Bristol, TN-- August 4-6, 2006

08/06/06:
An early exit, but a new personal best ET of 6.85 @ 207 mph

After a weekend full of problems, Erica Ortiz had a tough qualifying session, finishing #5 and at the bottom of the ladder. Though an early exit in the first round against Chuck Samuels, Erica posts a new career best running a 6.85 @ 207mph.


(Photo Credits: James Pickett-Modified Mustangs; Eric Hamilton)

FFW Norwalk Buckeye State Nationals 2006

Norwalk, OH-- July 7-9, 2006
FFW Norwalk  Buckeye State Nationals


07/09/06: Erica's first 6 second, 200 mph pass & runner up finish in PRO 5.0


Erica Ortiz has a runner-up finish in PRO 5.0, becoming FFW's first female in the 6's and over 200 mph when she blasts a 6.88 @ 205.

(Photo Credits: Greg Andrea, Mike D)

FFW Peach State Commerce Ga. 2006

FFW Peach State Commerce Ga.

Commerce, GA-- April 6-9, 2006

Erica Ortiz becomes the first female in the history of the PRO 5.0 class, qualifying #15 with a problematic 7.85 @ 189.
FFW Commerce
04/08/06: Erica enters Pro 5.0 to become the first female in the history of the class.
(Photo Credits: Heather Sinks, Sarah Spears, Debi Shepard, Justin)

Dixie Pro Mod Racing 2006

Macon, GA - April 2, 2006
Erica makes history as the first turbo entry in the Dixie Pro Mod Racing Association, but falls just short of the 8 car field.
(Photo Credits: www.DixieProModRacing.com)

NMRA Ford Nationals Series

NMRA Silver Dollar Reynolds, GA-- April 1, 2006

04/01/06: The T-Bird makes its first 1/4 mile pass in the exhibition test session.
The first 1/4 mile voyage down track for Erica and the Horsepower & Heels Thunderbird in an exhibition test session. With a detuned combo, the bird ran a 7.51 @ 187mph on a rail-straight pass. Further passes were not so lucky, as the thunderbird developed a strange electrical problem which stalled the motor on the starting line.
(Photo Credits: Chris Johnson, John Fore)

Phenix and Valdosta 2006

Valdosta, GA - February 16, 2006
Learning the Ropes
Erica takes the Thunderbird out for the first time to get some seat time
02/05/06: Erica's first test session in the t-Bird nets a 1.09 60' time.
Valdosta, GA-- February 16, 2006
02/16/06: Erica takes the Thunderbird out for the first Pro Mod event of the year. A valvetrain issue keeps her sidelined during qualifying. (Photos by: Sarah Spear, Jason Sharp, Roger Richards)

Thunderbird Build up 2005

Erica takes a year off to complete the transition from drag radial to Pro Mod.