FAST WOMEN!

More than 400 entries arrived from across the United States for the "Maximum Velocity Female Driver Search" sponsored by ESX, SPT and Subaru, and DRO contributor Erica Ortiz-Lugo was one of the fortunate eight invited to test Oct. 22-24, at Pomona Raceway. Erica campaigns a stock-suspension, turbo Mustang in the Fun Ford Weekend Drag Radial class and has run a career-best 8.42 on radials, and 8.20 at more than 172 mph on slicks.

Erica Ortiz-Lugo (3rd from left) hams it up with fellow "Maximum Velocity Female
Driver Search" contestants (l-r) Christina Eldert, Joanna Balsamo, Kala Rounds,
Julie Stepan, and Barbie Kessenick.

The prize is a chance to drive Ali Ashfar's six-time race winning ESX SPT Subaru in the NHRA's subcompact Sportsman RWD class for the 2005 season, with the winner to be announced at this year's SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The Agent joins everyone at DRO in wishing Erica good luck. [10-31-2004]

GRANDPA GILBY

Congratulations to Bob and Sally Gilbertson on becoming grandparents for the first time. Their oldest son, Rob, and his wife Kristen had a son, Luke Benjamin Gilbertson at 12:54 pm on Friday, October 29, 2004.  Luke rolled across the scales at 8 pounds, 8 ounces with a 20.5" wheelbase. [10-31-2004]

MELANIE'S NEW RIDE?

Not so fast e-zine reporters, better run that fact checker program before you hit the send button. The Agent spoke at length with Melanie Troxel at Vegas who knew nothing of a "new sponsorship with a NASCAR connection" being connected to her. She has met with Bob Margolis who is trying to put sponsors together for 2005 to field a dragster with her in the seat. She made it clear that there is no deal pending with any NASCAR connection and nothing firm on any front even after several meetings at Las Vegas. [10-31-2004]

SHE'S BAAAK! ...sorta

The agent saw several team members of the David Grubnic/Kalitta Top Fueler that is carrying the Zantex colors at Las Vegas with Ms Muldownny's name on the back of the shirts and on the wing. Seems like Muldonnney still has star power despite no longer driving and was approached with a sponsorship. She is quoted as saying " I won't be a Michael Jordan, I'm happy with the way I retired and I won't be coming back." So she sent the sponsorship instead to the Grubnic/Kalitta team tuned by husband Ron Tobler but did take a little remuneration for putting the deal together by taking the title of Team Manager.

RETURN OF THE BLUE MAX

The Agent talked to former Blue Max team member "Waterbed" Fred Miller who told him that Del Worsham has come across a vintage Ford Mustang body and with the blessings of Raymond Beadle will soon build a Blue Max nostalgia funny car for VRA competition. [10-31-2004]