Over 400 women from all across the United States sent in entries for the “Maximum Velocity Female Driver Search”, sponsored by ESX, SPT and Subaru. The prize: a chance to drive the ESX SPT Subaru for the 2005 season. The ESX Subaru WRX STI competes in the NHRA’s subcompact class Sportsman RWD, against a host of Supras and other class heavyweights. But the all-wheel drive street equipped Subaru holds its own, with driver and Easy Street owner Ali Ashfar collecting 6 coveted NHRA Wally Awards and running fast enough to claim the fastest WRX in existence with a 154 mph pass at the World Finals this past weekend in Pomona, California.

The search started off about 4 months ago, as owner Ali finalized plans to build a new tube chassis Subaru, thus leaving the street tired ESX without a driver for 2005. The “Maximum Velocity Female Driver Search” was Easy Street’s call to ladies all across the country that wanted to be considered for the task. The winner would be named Easy Street’s new driver, receive a $40,000 salary, and travel the country attending media events and campaigning the car for the 2005 season.

I first learned of the contest from Annette Summer, whom thought it would be a great opportunity for me to gain some press recognition. Now, I have been a die hard domestic fan since day one, and considering the fact that my own car was over a second faster than the Subaru, this would be a step backwards for me. But with my efforts at obtaining sponsorship support turning up very little, and leaving me struggling to foot the majority of the bill, the chance to gain media attention in a national event such as the NHRA Subcompact class, especially with the incentive of a salaried position was too good to pass up. I obtained the entry form from my local Subaru dealership, quickly answered the form’s questions, and mailed it in. As I would later learn, my application was one of the first 10 received, out of over 400 that would be received by the contest’s October 18th deadline, and it immediately caught the attention of the Easy Street team. I received a phone call from Ali in early September, telling me that my entry had looked very promising, and to explain in more detail what the contest entailed. 4 finalists would be selected to fly out to Hollywood, California on an all-expense paid trip to meet with the Easy Street team and compete for the top spot. Each of the finalists’ would be recorded for a reality show pilot episode based on the team’s experiences through the 2005 season. The finalists would have virtually no notice prior to their departure for Hollywood, so Ali wanted to secure my availability should I be one of the final 4 selected. It would be over a month of nail-biting before I would receive that fateful phone call.

The contest officially ended on October 18th. Based on the conversation I had with Ali earlier the month before, the finalists would be notified shortly after, and would board a plane headed for Hollywood on October 21st. My hopes sank when by Wednesday morning; I had not received any phone calls. Disappointed, I returned to work from lunch, resolved to the fact that I had not been selected among the final contestants. But just as I sat down at my desk, my phone rang. It was Ali- my phone had failed the night before, and they could not get through. I was among the chosen finalists, and my plane departed in less than 24 hours! After frantic plane reservations were finalized, details arranged, and last minute necessities obtained, I was Hollywood bound with all my racing dreams in tow.

The original plans had changed slightly. Ali had such an onslaught of qualified candidates, that the Easy Street team could not narrow the field to just 4 finalists. “In the end we just could not decide on only four finalists so we decided to double the number of finalists to eight.” Ali said of the female applicants. As I landed at LAX in Los Angeles, the ESX team was there to welcome me in true Hollywood fashion: a sign bearing my name, a handshake, and a camera documenting every move of my arrival. It was there I met my first co-finalist, Julie Stepen, a cute, pixie-like18 year old Super Comp dragster racer from Grand Prairie, TX, and the fastest of the group running 8.0’s in the ¼ mile. It was Julie’s first plane ride, and her father John came to accompany her. From there, we headed to the hotel in the midst of North Hollywood, where we were introduced to another finalist, Kala Rounds, a 33 year-old rally, autocross, ice-racing, and hill climbing veteran from Portland, OR. Later that evening, Christina Eldert, a 27 year old fellow Fun Ford Weekend Drag Radial competitor arrived along with my roommate, Joanna Balsamo, a 24 year old Atlanta auto crosser, who campaigns a Subaru Sti and is well versed with all things Subaru. The 5 of us headed over to Universal City’s Citiwalk venue for a bite to eat, and to get to know one another a little better. It didn’t take long for the group to become fast friends, and it was nearly midnight when my jet-lagged head hit the pillow.

Friday morning, we all hopped into the Easy Street Subarus and headed for the Pomona Racetrack. The NHRA was holding a press conference, and the Maximum Velocity Female Driver Search was on the agenda of many reporters. Upon our arrival to Pomona Raceway, we were introduced to Barbie Kessenich, a 30 year old local from Burbank who already competes in her 11 second Easy Street prepped WRX. Shortly after, a late arriving Michele Shapiro joined the ranks. Michele is a 34-year-old Manhattan native and Glamour magazine research editor whom has competed in several Off-Road rally's across the Sahara desert and various “Gumball Runs” across Europe. The 8th and final competitor, had an unfortunate accident en-route to the hotel, and was tied up at the hospital during Friday’s events. Stephanie Eggum is a 24 year old Chicago based sport compact racer, who’s PRO4 Honda has been deep into the 9’s. And then of course, there is myself, Erica Ortiz-Lugo. I am a 24 year old Advertising executive from Columbus, GA. Racing since 1998, I compete my stock suspension, turbocharged mustang in the Fun Ford Weekend Drag Radial class, to a career best of 8.42 on a radial, and 8.20 on a slick, at over 172 mph.

After a brief introduction at the press conference, the other Maximum Velocity girls and I hit the track in some stock Honda Accords for a little “practice” session. For some, it was their first drag racing experience, and for others, such as myself, it was an 18 second walk-in-the-park. A few press photo shoots, and some candid camera introductions later; we headed back to the hotel to prepare for a night out in Tinseltown. ESX, Subaru, and the NHRA were hosting a VIP party at swanky Hollywood night club, the Highlands, and the Maximum Velocity Girls were on-hand to meet and greet NHRA fans and sponsors. As we made our way to the VIP back entrance, we followed in the convoy of Magic Johnson’s entourage. The back patio was reserved for the NHRA party, overlooking the Hollywood Walk-of-Fame below. Being my first visit to the west coast, it was especially enthralling to see all these famous sites and locales. After a late night of drinks and dancing, we headed back to our hotel.

Saturday morning’s wake up call came way too early, but we all managed to make it out of bed and to the racetrack. After tech-ing in our Subaru exhibition vehicles, we headed back to meet and greet various corporate Subaru bigwigs. It was explained that we were all under close scrutiny and being judged on how well we interact with sponsors, fans, and crew members. The driving task for the day entailed us driving the various models of Subarus ranging from Sti’s to an Outback wagon. Easy Street explained that our first pass’ objective was to cut the best reaction time possible. My round one vehicle: a manual-equipped STI. Having been 4 years since I had raced a manual in any form, I was a bit apprehensive as we approached the tree. The tree was changed at the last minute to a .400 Pro Tree, which complicated matters for me further. But thankfully, I managed to pull off the best reaction of that round, with a .276.

On Sunday, we all shuffled cars for Round 2. This time, I was assigned to an automatic Outback wagon, the slowest of the pack. Round 2 instructions dictated that we deep stage, and try again for a killer light. This time, I managed a .218 light, securing the 2nd fastest reaction of round 2, behind Julie’s .202 light. By 3 round, I found myself in another manual WRX. Each of us was separately given varying instructions to either stage or deep stage. With renewed confidence in my manual driving capabilities, I entered Round 3 as a regular staged candidate. But as luck would have it, the car rolled forward slightly when I brought it up to the 5000 RPM required to leave without bogging the traction happy AWD Subaru. Catching the car before red lighting, I only managed a .330 light, still good enough for 3rd fastest reaction, but failing my instructions.

As we prepared to leave, we each were brought into the “hot seat” for some camera question and answer sessions. Each of us were called in individually to answer why we were the best candidate, and what appealed to each of us about the contest. Talk about nerves! There’s nothing like a camera inches from your face and bright “interrogation” style blinding lights to transform the average, well-spoken individual into a blundering, stuttering mess. Thankfully, we all made it through the nerves okay, relieved to be out of the spotlight.

A panel consisting of the Easy Street team, Subaru executives, selected fans, and other industry sponsors would decide the winner. They definitely had quite a difficult decision at hand. Each of the contestants would receive a call to announce the new ESX/SPT/Subaru driver for 2005 by Tuesday night. The official winner will be announced to the public at the SEMA show in Las Vegas, in November.

As I boarded my plane, I was extremely grateful for the honor bestowed upon us as finalists. Each of us had been chosen from a pool of over 400 as the most qualified ladies in the Racing world. Regardless of who won, there was not one person there who didn’t deserve to be there. We all came away meeting some great friends, and taking home a ton of fun memories. There was none of the cattiness or drama you would expect of a reality show premiere, just 8 of the most intense, automotive enthused and talented racer women in the country, all brought together into a fast-formed family. And while I can’t reveal the winner just yet (that you’ll have to wait until the SEMA to find out), I can tell you that every one of the finalists equally deserved the role. The rest of the Maximum Velocity finalists will be kept involved also, with appearances at races in their region driving the back up ESX Subaru. As far as this “Maximum Velocity” female, I’m headed right back to my garage, and back in the saddle of my own new project for 2005.