We are just getting back from completing our first full season with the IHRA Nitro Jam!! Things started out a little ruff in the beginning, but once we found our footing, all of the hard work really paid off. This was the biggest season for Larsen Motorsports. Not only did we expand to a 4 car team, we took on the task of traveling to the 12 Nitro Jam shows that cover North America. Every mile we traveled, every pass down the track has made Larsen Motorsports closer, stronger, and more focused than ever.
We finished up the season in Memphis, TN. We started the weekend doing press and PR. The schedule for the weekend was first a morning TV show, then to set up 3 of the rigs at the track and finally on the Beale Street where we would light up the streets firing up the Miller Jet Dragster. It always is a good time to expose new people to the sport of drag racing. We had a great time and I don't think Beale Street will ever be the same!!! I left my mark!!!
Finally, what we have been waiting for, the World Championship at Memphis International Raceway!!! The teams are ready, the rigs are set up, now we look to mother nature to behave for us to get our runs in. Friday looked good, and we were able to get one pass done. I was lucky to get #1 qualifier for the evening. Race day and the skies are cloudy and full of rain. The IHRA tires their best, but Mother Nature came out the winner for Saturday. So now we have to look at the points and see where we stacked up. At the end of the day, the Miller team wasn't always the fastest or the quickest, but we proved consistency pays off.
Now it is time for the banquet. I have to say that 11 years ago, Chris and I never imagined we would be at this point. We both are farm kids from Michigan that had a dream. Our dream is to love what we do and hopefully leave the racing world a better place after we are done. Chris is amazing at this. Just his passion for the sport and the wiliness to teach these young kids the important "hands on" skills that so many kids never get the chance to learn makes me so proud of what our company has become. So my team, Miller Welding Jet Dragster, took home the championship. It was such an honor to stand on the stage with my son and husband and hold that trophy. It meant so much to us and we can't thank the IHRA enough for what they have done for our category of Jet Racing.
No time to rest, we headed home in order to load into the Daytona Speedway to work Biketoberfest. We also came home to announce that we had separated with long time sponsor Embry-Riddle. We have been with ERAU for over 10 years and all of the kids we have worked with has forever changed Chris and myself. We have decided to go in a different direction and we are very excited to keep promoting the development of new drivers and crew in the Motorsports industry. There will be many more press releases to come!!!
Finally, I have to
address something that has been weighing heavy on my mind. I totally understand that everyone doesn't have to like me and our teams. That is what is so great about our country, we do have the freedom of speech!! But it has been brought to my attention, that Chris and my morals have been brought to question our true reason for this development program. I can only let our actions speak for who and what we stand for. Promoting young ladies to reach for their dreams, is a huge part of who and what I am. It isn't always easy, and trust me it sometimes would be easier to just do it ourselves, but the satisfaction that both Chris and I get from helping these kids do things that only dreams are made of is the entire reason we keep fighting the battle!!!
So on to new and exciting news!!!! IHRA has hired a film crew to document the Nitro Jam events and the professional teams that race at
each event. The series premier is November 6th on MAV TV!!! We are so proud to be a part of this show and let people in our lives. We hope you enjoy and can't wait to see you at the races!!!
luv ya,
e
