Erica Enders Takes Stock

Have you ever wanted to be a motorsports mucky-muck?  Maybe a team owner?

Here's your chance....

Erica Enders is the only woman currently competing in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) drag racing Pro Stock class (although there are 6 other women competing in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock Motorcycle.)
 
The Enders family is living their long-time dream; to own their team and the cars that they drive.  The problem is money.

Drag racing is an expensive sport -- no surprise when a driver roaring down the quarter mile essentially uses up the car's engine in addition to the fuel burned.  Erica Enders Racing has many corporate sponsors, including Mopar, Lucas Oil and even the Lupe Tortilla Mexican Restaurant chain in Houston, but the chase for supporting cash is never-ending.  When I spoke with dad Gregg Enders during the NHRA Spring Nationals in Houston, he said that this is some of the hardest work he's ever done...

Enders Racing came up with a fundraising and marketing twist: a stock certificate package that makes the buyer an Erica Enders Team Owner. 

It's more of a fan club than ownership, since there are no voting rights and buyers are limited to one share, but the point is raising team visibility.  Enders already has a unique fan demographic -- young girls and women by the thousands who saw the Disney Channel TV movie "Right on Track" about Erica and her sister Courtney's Junior Drag Racing career. 

I've seen many of these pony-tailed enthusiasts at race events in Gainesville, Florida, Houston and Dallas, lined up ten deep next to Erica's trailer and pit while waving cards, T-shirts, even helmets for her autograph.  Since the $50 stock certificate package comes with plenty of team swag like a T-shirt, hat, lanyard and access to special hospitality tents at races, there will probably be plenty of parents who fork over for the gear for birthdays or other holidays.

Enders is well-liked and respected by her fellow drivers -- one said that she is "a win waiting to happen" -- but forging ahead with independent team ownership has had its rough days and trying moments.  Her team's performance has been rather uneven until recently, but she and her father feel that they've persevered and turned a corner.  After a string of DNQs, the team went rounds in Houston and is excited about their progress.

Looks like taking stock is working.

Update 23 April 2007:  This post was featured in the Carnival of Wheels, hosted by GarageBlog.  Head over for a fun read and check out the other entries!

Posted by

April 6, 2007, 7:13 PM

Permalink

Categories: