Failure is only a fact when you give up. Everyone gets knocked down, the question is: Will you get back up?

Well as usually it has been a little bit since I have checked in and man oh man do I have a lot to tell you. We have moved our race shop to Daytona Beach and are putting the finishing touches on the new shop. This is a dream come true for Chris and myself. We have worked so hard for the past 10 years and then some to get to this point and every morning when I pull into my parking spot, I think this is OURS!!!!

So not only it is the coolest Jet Shop, we are work with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to start up their Research Park. I can't tell you much yet, but stay tuned because there is so much going on right now. I never dreamed that 20 years ago when I went down the dragstrip in my 75 Vega, that it would ever turn into this. But here we are and I don't even know if I can dream big enough to know where this is going to take us. So in February we are having our Grand Opening. We will also do a mini opening in December for the PRI show. If you are in the area, I will post the dates and we would love to show you what we have been working so hard on.

With moving our shop, we had to relocate as well, so we sold our house and purchased a new one not far from the shop. Nice to be close, but still able to get away. We are still unpacking and putting the finishing touches on the house. Nitro isn't quite sure what is going on, and he misses chasing the squirrels and kitty's, but he is adjusting. He loves coming to work with us everyday at the shop and has made many new friends. Andrew is adjusting as well, he is doing the Florida Virtual School this year and I am so proud of him. He does his school in the morning and then afternoons he works with Chris in the shop to earn money for a car as he will be 15 very soon. YIKES!!!!

All of that should be enough, but we are just getting started. A few weeks ago we announced the addition of a new driver Marisha Falk. Marisha is 24 and will drive the Embry-Riddle jet dragster for the 2012 season. She is an Alumni of Embry-Riddle with a degree in Aeronautical Science. We have know Marisha for over 4 years when we met up at EAA in Oshkosh, WI. She looked at the dragster and was hooked. We have been working with Marisha for that past few years and she is going to make a great addition to the Larsen Motorsports Team. Marisha's dragster is at the shop getting the final touches put on her and as soon as possible we are going to have her start making some test passes. She is so talented and dedicated, I know she will make an amazing driver. I will be driving the Miller Welding jet dragster full time and we will be racing across the country together.

Speaking of racing, we have been busy on that front as well. Larsen Motorsports has visited a lot of our favorite tracks so far in 2011. Everything was going well until we hit the World Series of Drag Racing in Cordova, IL Friday nights pass went well came back the next day to make two passes on Saturday. Unfortunately on the first pass Saturday evening we had an issue. The car sustained some damage, and I am fine, but was very sad. I have to thank everyone at Cordova for helping us that evening as well as the Miller Road Show guys. Talk about true pros!!! Never fear, my beautiful baby is back at the shop getting worked on to be better than ever.

There is never any rest. We are working hard to put the Miller dragster back in circulation as quickly as possible while finishing up the year with the Embry-Riddle jet dragster. It has been an interesting experience. You sure do realize very quickly who your friends are in times of need. Failure is only a fact when you give up. Everyone gets knocked down, the question is: Will you get back up?

Take care, be safe and we WILL see you at the races!!!
luv ya,
e

Gotta Love it!!!

After almost 10 years driving a jet dragster, it is still so much fun to be knee deep in racing. Every year I always wonder how we are going to be able to do this and keep up the pace, and sure enough, we just keep getting busier. I wouldn't have it any other way. I realize that there are a million people out there right now that would give anything to be in my position. Racing for two teams, living my dreams with my family. Pretty cool!!!

Here are some highlights since we last talked. We have officially moved to Daytona Beach. We are in our new shop full time and have just purchased our new home!!! With the help from a friends and lot of very dedicated Embry-Riddle students, things are really starting to take shape in the new shop. A lot of back breaking work and so many long hours have gone into making this place shine!!! We can't move into our house for a few more weeks, but that works out as we are on the road racing for most of the summer.

Racing has been amazing. The new 2011 Embry-Riddle jet dragster is running great. She didn't have very many bugs, I think we are getting a handle on these jet cars. The Miller jet dragster continues to shine with her large fire!!! We have put many miles on both rigs getting them from Bradenton, FL to Norwalk, OH twice and just leaving Maple Grove Raceway.

For up to date news, we will be running at 3 NHRA National events this year. We are kicking it off with the US Nationals in Indy!!! Then we go back to Maple Grove and finally we hit Firebird Raceway Park in AZ. Jets have not run at National events in over 15 years. We can't wait to show everyone a little smoke and fire!!!!

Andrew is going into the 9th grade. Scary, I remember when he was so little and the only thing he cared about was his hot wheels cars. Soon he will be driving a real car. Chris has been very busy at the shop and just made a trip out to Prescott, AZ to catch up with the Embry-Riddle students working on a jet dragster!!!

All seems to be coming together. I hope that many of you check out the website www.ElaineLarsen.com to see where we are racing next and if you want up to date info, join my facebook page.

I hope everyone has a great summer and we will see you at the races.

luv ya,
e

In Memory of a Great Friend Dick Rosberg

On May 23, 2011 a legend in drag racing passed away. Dick Rosberg, a dedicated family man, a record breaking racer and an amazing friend left us today. It is with a heavy heart for those of us who is left no longer have this amazing man that was such a charmer. We all have many memories and Dick has touched so many people in his entire life. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and for all of the friends that will miss him. Chris and I were lucky enough to have him in our life. We will miss you my friend.

Luv you,
e

Jet Shop

The middle of May is here already and we have already been so many places. Last weekend we were in Norwalk, OH for the NHRA division race. We only had one shot at running as the weather was not good for racing. We ran 5.40 at 296 mph. Not a bad way to kick it in. As racing is always fun and exciting, we have so much that is going on behind the scene. Some of you may not know, but we are moving and opening our new shop in Daytona Beach, FL. We will be moving into Embry-Riddle's new Research Park. Our new shop is over 12,000 and we are giving her a beautiful facelift. It will be open to the public during the week when we are not off racing around the country.

I thought driving a screaming fast jet dragster was challenging, not even close to what we are doing. We have our home of 21 years for sale, we have closed all of our other shops and closing our eyes and taking that leap of faith. You know in the Transformers movie when he says you don't want to regret that you didn't get in the car. Well we definitely got in the car. So not only are we in the middle of a full race season, we are showing our home, while renovating our shop and looking for new homes. Anything else........bring it on!!!!!

Other than that, it seems like life is just flying by. This summer we have soooooooo much planned for the summer 2011. We are visiting new a race tracks Maryland International Raceway, in June for the NMCA. Can't wait for that. We will also be back to the EAA Air Venture in Oshkosh, WI, Summit Motorsports Park Night Under Fire and then are you ready for this.......We will be at the NHRA's race at Maple Grove Race way in October. If you haven't checked out the schedule lately, make sure you do as you don't want to miss a second.

If you are not my friend on Facebook, make sure as that is the easiest way to stay up to date on every that is going on. Okay so I forgot something very very exciting that is happening in June. Chris and I will be celebrating our 25 wedding anniversary. He is my best friend and I can't believe that it has already been 25 years. When we took that leap of faith 8 years ago for him to quit his job and for us to go racing full time, we never guessed that this is where we would end up. Here is a thought I want to leave you with:

In response to those who say to stop dreaming and face reality, I say keep dreaming and make reality. ~Kristian Kan

luv ya,
e

Kickin in the New Year!!!

Okay the time is ticking away so quick. I can't believe that it is already the middle of April and we have completed 4 races. The brand new Embry-Riddle car has made her debut, 2 airshows and a tornado. HUMMMMM sound like fun, you bet ya!!!!! We kick off the year with the Miller Jet Dragster in Bradenton, FL two weeks later we traveled to Belle Rose, LA. I couldn't be happier on how the dragster is running. She is coming back just as good as last year not skipping a beat. Now the new Embry-Riddle Jet Dragster, we had to shake down and get her running. New cars are always fun, if you believe that Nitro says HA!!!! After a few bugs, we got her running great. Hey maybe we are getting good at this. She made her debut at Cycle Palooza and then just ran at the ADRL show.

Now on to the tornado, yes a tornado. We were just sitting there and the next thing we knew it the skies opened up and I thought I saw the scarecrow!!! Luckily we didn't have any damage, but unfortunately others were not as lucky. Clean up was not fun, but the airshow must go on.

So now I have to talk about the ADRL show. The cars were amazing, we were there for a reason....filming a new promo for Larsen Motorsports. We always try to change things up every year, but I think this is going to be pretty cool. We wanted to show the entire operation. i can't wait for the production team to finish and I will post it as soon as possible.

So that covers the racing, now lets talk about the business side of Larsen Motorsports. We are moving!!!!!! Yes moving. I can't wait, Daytona Beach here we come. The new shop is getting a facelift as we speak, crews are working so many hours to make her a show place. Photos to come. Moving the shop means we are selling our house and buying a new one. Wish us luck in this real estate market. So here we are almost to Easter and guess what we are doing???? Racing of course. We are heading to Summit Motorpsorts Park this weekend to have a little fun. Others will be hunting Easter Eggs, we will be hunting MPH and ET!!!!

If you aren't my facebook friend, log on today. That is the best way to keep up to date with everything that happens at Larsen Motorsports. I hope everyone enjoys their weekend. Be safe and make sure and have fun!!!!

luv ya,
e

Power Block TV

Hey Everyone,

Make sure you check out Power Block TV this weekend, March 19-20. I had the chance to bring the Miller Jet Dragster to the studio and spend some time with Courtney. Very cool. Go to www.PowerBlockTV.com to get show times near you.

luv ya,
e

Hello 2011

Well here we are almost at the end of January and 2011 has already kicked off. Crazy. Larsen Motorsports has a lot of very cool things on the horizon, but we have to make sure and keep focused on what is in front of us first. So, what has been going on, LOTS. I flew out to Nashville to meet up with Miller Marketing to do a TV show called Power Block TV which airs on Spike. We were asked to bring the Miller Jet Dragster and myself for a couple of days of shooting. Sounded like fun. When I was telling people of my plans all I heard was "you get to meet Courtney Hansen, she is HOT!!!" Not wow, you get to go and see the Muscle Car, Trucks, Xtreme 4x4, and Horsepower stages and see what goes on behind the scenes. Crazy boys!!!! Anyway, I flew in and meet up with Travis from the Road show and Vickie from Marketing. We loaded in the car at the Power Block studios and got the tour. Very very cool. It was impressive to see that the sets were as cool in real life as they are on TV. A lot of work goes on in the studios, it isn't just shipped out and the brought back to the show. I would have loved to have taken pictures, but of course, they won't let you do that, which I totally understand. Sorry!!!

Anyway for those of you that want to know, No Courtney was not there on the the first day. The next morning and we were back at the Studios. You could feel the difference in the air on filming day. Time for hair and make-up and before you knew it my turn had come. Here is your Courtney scoop, she is as pretty in real life as she is on TV. Very tall and beautiful. But here is the best part, she is really nice and knows her stuff!!!! We had a blast talking to each other, and I was so impressed when I walked away. All of the camera guys and the producers were great and a lot of fun to work with. Now the guy who put my mike on, I have to wonder about him!!! wink wink!!!

We shot our part and then it was time for some photos. I will post the photos that they send to me as soon as I get them in. The show will air March 19-20 on Spike Network during the Power Block time in the morning. I hope that you will watch.

Back to the airport and time to fly out as we had a Military Days to set up for the next day. It was at University High School in Orange City, FL We brought out the brand new 2011 Embry-Riddle Jet Dragster to help recruit students. It rained on Friday, but it didn't matter, the students still came out and asked a lot of great questions. We loaded the dragster up and hit the road. 2 events done already.

The check list is long for 2011, but if we just keep marking them off, things will get done. My 2011 schedule is going to be posted, so make sure you mark your calenders and come out to support us. I am going to be adding some merchandise to my website soon as well. Also for those of you that love jet cars and want to keep up to date with your favorite drivers, don't forget to check out www.njraracing.com

luv ya,
e