Super Chevy Show – San Antonio, Texas

Rockdale, TX – New Breed Racing’s Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe competed at the Super Chevy Show as it made a stop at San Antonio Raceway, October 5-7, 2007. Team New Breed Racing’s Alesi Gerthe competed in the electronics bracket class, while Ayrton competed in the jr. dragster bracket class. “It really felt great to be back at San Antonio Raceway since I consider it my home track, and to see and compete with many of our racing friends,” said Alesi. “I adjusted to the regular bracket tree and went seven rounds over the two day period, and Saturday made it down to the final thirteen cars. It was different to not compete side by side like in quick rod. A few of the cars I raced were more than four seconds slower than me; I felt like I was back in the jr. 7.90 class chasing down a 12.90 car, and I was able to work on judging the top end at 160 mph,” commented Alesi. Ayrton Gerthe went several rounds in the jr. dragster class during the two day race, but he was really interested in the car show being held on the grounds that weekend. “This was probably one of my last races in a jr. since I’ll be sixteen tomorrow, and I’d been working real hard on getting my truck ready for the car show, so I had a busy weekend,” said Ayrton.
New Breed Racing plans to attend select bracket races this winter at San Antonio Raceway to prepare for next season. Alesi plans to compete in more national events, along with the Division 4 Pro-Am Series in Quick Rod, while Ayrton will make his debut in Quick Rod competing in the Division 4 Pro-Am Series and select national events.

Homecoming '07

Racing in Michigan

Torco Racing Fuels Northern Nationals August 3-5, 2007 at Knoll Gas Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan.

2007 NHRA Western Conference Finals - Morrison, CO

New Breed Racing’s Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe checked one thing off of their “to do list” recently…race on the mountain at the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing Western Conference Finals at Bandimere Speedway near Denver, CO.

The team arrived at the track on Monday for the testing session, and competed or made time trials every day before departing Saturday night for the return trip to Texas.

“Racing at 9,000’ of adjusted altitude was an experience as well as traversing the multi-tiered facility, but we had a great time and Ayrton came home with some nice hardware, just not the one trophy he went for, the Wally,” said Lisa Gerthe.

Alesi competed in the Wicked West Coast 330’ Shootout, just barely missed making the 32 car field and competed in the 16-17 year old age group and went out in round two. Ayrton competed in the Mile High Shootout bracket race on Wednesday and went down to the final 15 cars and received a plaque, and on Saturday evening went to the quarter finals in the 15 year old age group and received a trophy and a $500 savings bond.

Pine Valley Divisional - July 13-15, 2007

Lufkin, TX - New Breed Racing attended the third stop of the Division 4 Summit Pro-Am Tour at Pine Valley Raceway. We made a few test passes Friday night, and on Saturday Alesi made a couple passes and Ayrton was only able to make one before the rains came and the event was postponed until the next day. Sunday morning brought clear skies and high humidity but we were able to get the races underway. Alesi and Ayrton both went out in round two and we loaded up and headed home late Sunday evening. Next stop for the tour is San Antonio Raceway in mid-August.

Terry McMillen wins Top Fuel in Edmonton.

Our friend Terry McMillen won his first Iron Man last Sunday in Edmonton, Canada. I know he along with his family and crew are very excited and I only wish that we could have been there to help them celebrate! The live updates of the racing action seemed to take forever and we were all extremely excited when my mom told us that Terry had won. It wasn't long before we got the phone call from the winner's circle with Terry on the other end. Maybe both of us will make it to the winner's circle in a few weeks in Martin, Michigan. The win couldn't have happened to a nicer person. Great job Terry!

Alesi

July 4th and a birthday.

We spent a relaxing 4th of July at home doing some routine maintenance on the rig. Later on that afternoon we went to some friends to celebrate the 4th and their granddaughter's first birthday. We can't believe Ashlyn is already a year old...this past year has flown by and it's amazing how much she has grown. We watched a little Drag Racing after the birthday party then headed home since Dad had to work the next day. I hope you all had a fun and safe 4th of July. See you at the races!
Alesi

Skull Shine Sooner Nationals - Tulsa, OK

June 21-24, 2007 - The Skull Shine Sooner Nationals became a race that would seem to never end. After rain cancelled the original event in May, it was rescheduled for June and teams still had to practice patience due once again to rain. Ayrton helped the Hoosier Thunder Motorosports team with crew duties on Terry McMillen's Alcohol Funny Car, while Alesi gained more seat time in her Quick Rod. The Friday Sportsman Appreciation race brought in more racers for the weekend, including our friends, Michael & Philip Pennington and their family, along with Chris Talley. They all raced their roadsters in the Super Rod category.

Houston Raceway - Baytown, TX

June 15-17, 2007 - Duane, Alesi & Ayrton joined Brand X Racing Engines for a weekend of racing at Houston Raceway Park. Although, Alesi was the only one able to make a pass before rains cancelled the event, they enjoyed spending time with the Shapely's and all their jr. dragster racing friends.

Alesi went to great lengths to help a child...through Locks of Love

Alesi received the following by mail...

Dear Alesi,
Thank you for your generous hair donation! Your selfless act of kindness will benefit a Locks of Love recipient and change their life for the better. Most of our recipients suffer from an autoimmune disease called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. Other recipients are cancer survivors, victims of trauma such as burns and rare dermatological conditions that result in permanent hair loss. Your donation of hair will help return smiles to the many varied faces of our children. On behalf of those children, their families and the Board of Directors, THANK YOU - YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE!!

Madonna Coffman
President
www.locksoflove.org

Ayrton Gerthe wins Ironman in Tulsa

May 4, 2007 - Rockdale, TX – New Breed Racing’s Ayrton Gerthe participated in the second stop of the IHRA Summit Pro-Am Tour in Tulsa, OK, April 27-29, 2007. Ayrton drove his Jr. Dragster into the winner’s circle with top honors in the Masters Class on Sunday, and down to the final five cars on Saturday, propelling him into the number two position in points.

“It’s been a while since I won an Ironman, but things fell into place for me this weekend,” continued Ayrton. “I came to Tulsa really determined, and all our hard work paid off; this one’s for all our sponsors who have been there for our team, supporting us in so many ways.”

Alesi @ RHS Prom - April 28, 2007

Alesi Gerthe was escorted by Chance Betchan to the 2007 Rockdale High School Prom, held April 28, 2007 at the Patterson Civic Center in Rockdale, TX. After a limousine ride to dine at Cool River Cafe just outside Austin, Texas, the group toured the capitol and various other sites before returning to join classmates at their prom.

Spring Fling - Kennedale, TX

April 22, 2007 - Rockdale, TX – New Breed Racing, Alesi & Ayrton Gerthe, participated in the RPM Club’s Jr. Dragster Spring Fling April 14-15, 2007 at Texas Raceway just south of Ft. Worth, TX. Alesi Gerthe, assisted the team with crew duties and was also hired to drive an outlaw jr. dragster during the weekend. Ayrton Gerthe had a great weekend, driving his jr. dragster all the way down to the final five cars in the 15-17 yr. age category.

Alesi also recently donated another twelve inches of hair to Locks of Love. “Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. We meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. The prostheses we provide help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers.” –www.locksoflove.org

“A little more than a year ago, I donated around 12 inches of hair and decided when it grew out, I would donate it again”, continued Alesi. “We have a student at our jr. high school who has lost her hair due to cancer treatments and every time I see her, it makes me feel good about donating my hair.”

IHRA Amalie Oil Texas Nationals presented by NAPA

March 28, 2007 - Rockdale, TX – New Breed Racing, Alesi & Ayrton Gerthe, participated in the IHRA Amalie Oil Texas Nationals presented by NAPA Auto Parts at San Antonio Raceway March 23-25, 2007. Alesi Gerthe competed for the first time in her ’02 Mullis Dragster in the Quick Rod category, making the necessary adjustments to go from running the 8.90 Index to the shortened 5.70 Index after track conditions forced the event to be contested to the eighth mile versus the traditional quarter mile. In round one, Alesi posted a 5.70 winning run and continued on, but went out in round two. Ayrton Gerthe assisted crew members on the InstiGator Funny Car during the event.

NAPA Display - Distribution Center - March 2007

March 20, 2007 - Rockdale, TX – New Breed Racing, Alesi & Ayrton Gerthe, joined the InstiGator Funny Car team at the NAPA Distribution Center in San Antonio, Texas earlier today. The team spent the day displaying the race cars, along with Terry McMillen’s InstiGator Funny Car team, at the Napa Distribution Center in San Antonio, Texas. McMillen signed autographs, KZEP 104.3 – San Antonio’s Classic Rock Station provided a live broadcast, and BBQ was also served.

“We appreciate Steve Anderson and NAPA for giving us the opportunity to display our quick rod and jr. dragster race cars with the InstiGator. We’re looking forward to this weekend’s IHRA Amalie Oil Texas Nationals presented by NAPA Auto Parts, and today’s interaction with the crowd really got things kicked off in a great way,” concluded Lisa Gerthe.

San Antonio Divisional - March 2007

March 20, 2007 - Rockdale, TX – New Breed Racing, Ayrton & Alesi Gerthe, attended the first stop of the 2007 Division 4 Pro-Am tour at San Antonio Raceway.

Ayrton competed in the Jr. Dragster Master’s Class, while Alesi competed in the Quick Rod Class.

“The weekend didn’t end up as we’d planned, with Ayrton going out both days in the first round and we continually fought with Alesi’s car all weekend,” said Lisa Gerthe. “People have been telling us the big cars are much easier to tune and run than the jr.’s, but it didn’t appear to be the case for us this past weekend. I do have to say, the outpouring of help in our pits and the phone calls was very humbling; I lost count of how many folks came over, friends and strangers, to lend a hand and it was noticed by many. They all made a tough situation better by knowing we truly do spend our time with a great group of people.”

The team will spend this afternoon, along with Terry McMillen’s InstiGator Funny Car team, at the Napa Distribution Center in San Antonio, Texas displaying the race cars.

“We appreciate the opportunity Steve Anderson and Napa has given us, along with Terry McMillen, to join them in the pre-race events this week, gearing up for the IHRA Amalie Oil Texas Nationals presented by NAPA Auto Parts. We are proud to be a part of the display and look forward to spending time with everyone. The team is also looking forward to extending a ‘big Texas welcome’ to our other partners attending; we are supported by the best in the racing industry,” concluded Gerthe.

March 2007 - San Antonio Jr. Nationals

March 13, 2007 - Rockdale, TX – New Breed Racing, Ayrton & Alesi Gerthe, kicked off their 2007 race season this past weekend at their home track, San Antonio Raceway, by participating in the IHRA Jr. Dragster Nationals. Ayrton Gerthe, winner of the 2004 San Antonio Jr. Nationals 12-13 year old class, made it to the quarter finals and the final 5 cars in the 7.90 Index on Saturday. Alesi Gerthe qualified in the sixth spot in the Southwest 330’ Outlaw dragster of Brand X Racing Engines, and went to the finals in Quick 32 placing second on Saturday. “We had a great time and as a team did an excellent job,” said Lisa Gerthe. “As expected, Todd and Judy had a full schedule for the weekend and we stayed busy all day Saturday, but the weather took a turn on Sunday, the event was cancelled after several rain delays and will be rescheduled.”
The team will now turn their focus to the upcoming divisional and national and hope the weather cooperates this week so they can get in some much needed testing.

Staying busy while waiting for the drag race season to begin...

While gearing up for the upcoming season, we've been busy with other facets of our busy schedule, but we took time out recently to have dinner with Kim & Cindy Shapley with Brand X Race Engines. The Shapley's have allowed Alesi to drive their jr. dragsters in the past when their daughter Heather was unable to attend races. Since Heather has "aged out" of jr. drag racing, Alesi will step in this season and pilot their "330 Outlaw" jr. dragster at select events, beginning with the IHRA Jr. Nationals at San Antonio Raceway in March, along with Ayrton whose goal is to win another "Ironman" in the 15-17 yr. old category. Ayrton continues to improve his model airplane flying skills, although the weather has not been cooperating, and he has just about worn out the nitro r/c truck he received at Christmas. Alesi once again helped with the RHS boy's basketball program his year as manager. She really enjoyed traveling with the team, as well as getting to know fellow managers Marissa and Britny. Alesi is also a member of PALS and visits with students at the elementary school twice weekly, but was recently asked to speak with the 4th grade students to reinforce the campus character program, Right Choice. She also enjoyed a brief visit with Mrs. Meyer, current fourth grade teacher who also taught Alesi & Ayrton when they were fourth graders. We spent this past weekend at Lone Star Motorsports Park near Sealy, TX doing some testing with the dragsters. The season starts in just two weeks, so we are preparing for some "March Madness" of our own with back to back to back race weekends scheduled in March.

Drag Racer's Endure Central Texas Ice Storm of '07

Rockdale, along with Milam County and the majority of central Texas went 70 consecutive hours with temperatures below freezing during the mid-January ice storm that crippled much of Texas during its visit. The weekend began with rain storms, but by evening Sunday, the weather forecast was calling for a wintry mix and school children in our area anticipated the call for a "snow day". They would get their wish and would not return to school until 10 a.m. Thursday morning. Frozen precipitation that sticks usually shuts down our area and this one did, with vehicles having a quarter to half inch sheet of ice, not to mention the roads had black ice, especially the less traveled rural roads of our area. Over 2.5 inches of precipitation fell between Sunday, January 14 and Thursday, January 18, and included a wintry mix of frozen rain, sleet and yes, even snow! Any time we get frozen precipitation, everything comes to a stand still. City and highway crews are not equipped to tackle the daunting task of clearing the roads when they do not have the proper equipment, so applying salt, sand, and other de-icing products is about all they can do, except hope those that don't have to travel heed the warnings and stay home. Which, is what the kids and I did, but that wasn't the case for Duane. He works for the local lignite mine which provides the resources for the adjoining power plant and as he says, "you want heat, then I have to go to work". He managed the dangerous roads fine, but said there were several big rigs jack-knifed and in the ditch along with numerous other vehicles who found that sliding around on ice isn't always fun and should be left to those on ice skates!

Young Drag Racer Finds Trouble at PRI...from HoosierThunder.com

ORLANDO, FL - Alesi Gerthe joins Hoosier Thunder Motorsports for the 2007 racing season. She recently completed her licensing in Quick Rod with the Doug Foley Drag Racing School, but a recent visit to the Performance Racing Industry could cause problems for the up and coming teen sensation.

While other beauty pageant winners are having trouble staying out of trouble, this young drag racer just can't seem to find trouble, although she was asked to leave a PRI party.

When Alesi and parents Lisa and Duane tried to get in a private party, they were turned away, Alesi was not allowed to enter since she was underage, despite her parental escorts. It didn't take long for word to spread through the drag racing community. McMillen and Doug Foley decided to confront Alesi. After all, the last thing Foley and McMillen wanted was to be associated with one of those cute faces making trouble in the tabloids.

When all the teasing and jesting between the trio was complete, Alesi went back to working the PRI floor, meeting many new potential sponsors for her Quick Rod team. "Alesi is a great kid," McMillen said. "We just couldn't resist giving her a hard time. With all the young girls out there making names for themselves in the headlines, it's really nice have such a quality person like Alesi on our team. A lot of people in Texas know how good this young lady races, everyone will know her racing ability over the next few years."

With minimal drag racing during the winter months, we're passing the time...

December 11, 2006 - Rockdale, TX - New Breed Racing, Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe, are currently in their off-season from drag racing, but have found an alternative to pass the time, model airplanes. Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners Terry and Rhonda McMillen, through the IHRA Adopt A Jr. Dragster program, sponsor the Division 4 Dragster Team from San Antonio Raceway, along with TORCO Race Fuels, Amalie Oil, Flatout Gaskets, and NGK Spark Plugs.

"Alesi & Ayrton’s grandfather, Gunar, recently began tinkering with model airplanes again, and it wasn’t too long before Duane was dragging out all of his model airplanes,” said Lisa Gerthe. “Gunar’s shop now looks like Santa’s workshop, at least a model plane workshop with numerous planes and when Alesi and I were sent on a trip to the local hobby shop for parts, Alesi spotted a trainer that the wonderful salesman assured us she would be able to fly in no time,” continued Lisa. “It’s really been a great way for all of them to pass the time during the wintry months and Alesi and Ayrton are picking up on it really fast. Of course, Gunar currently has the largest in the fleet, powered by a weed eater motor, and Duane’s is currently the fastest, so as you see, we are still keeping our skills polished in a competitive environment! And, the guys at the local hobby stores, the online and mail order stores, and the UPS delivery man are enjoying the added business,” concluded Lisa.

2006 Alcoa Operations Children's Christmas Party

December 6, 2006 - Rockdale, TX - New Breed Racing, Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe, started the holiday season off in a special way on Tuesday, attending the Alcoa Rockdale Operations Children’s Christmas Party. Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners Terry and Rhonda McMillen, through the IHRA Adopt A Jr. Dragster program, sponsor the Division 4 Dragster Team from San Antonio Raceway, along with TORCO Race Fuels, Amalie Oil, Flatout Gaskets, and NGK Spark Plugs.

"Alesi & Ayrton decided to do a little community service and help with the activities at the Children’s Christmas Party this year,” said Lisa Gerthe. “The once annual party hadn’t occurred since 2002 and they remembered how much they enjoyed attending and thought they would help make it a special evening for those attending,” continued Lisa. “Alesi helped with the Snowman Bean Bag Toss, while Ayrton ran Bingo.”

The Alcoa Rockdale Operations Children’s Christmas Party is attended by children and grandchildren of Alcoa employees and to enter you must bring non-perishable food items or new toys to donate to Rockdale Christmas Round-Up, which provides food and toys for families in the Rockdale area each year.

2006NewBreedRacing.wmv

Photo Story of 2006 racing season.

2006 Super Chevy Show - San Antonio Raceway

October 4, 2006 - Rockdale, TX - New Breed Racing, Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe, attended the Super Chevy Show at San Antonio Raceway, September 29 – October 1. Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners Terry and Rhonda McMillen, through the IHRA Adopt A Jr. Dragster program, sponsor the Division 4 Dragster Team from San Antonio Raceway, along with TORCO Race Fuels, Amalie Oil, Flatout Gaskets, and NGK Spark Plugs.

"All around it was a great weekend for us, awesome weather conditions, actually a little on the warm side, great drag racing, and spending time with friends," said Lisa Gerthe.

The 2006 Super Chevy Show returned to one of America’s top drag racing facilities, San Antonio Raceway with jets, nitro coupes, bracket racing, classy show cars and an invitation only 16 car jr. dragster field.

"Ayrton went to the quarter finals on Saturday, Alesi went to the semi-finals on Sunday, and Alesi's 'Orange Crush', her customized '91 Chevy Truck, won the two wheel drive modified truck category on Sunday," continued Lisa. "The cars and our driver's were on their game, and the jr. dragsters that race at San Antonio Raceway are very stiff competition. Although Alesi entered her truck in the car show, she wasn't very comfortable with leaving it unattended and unlocked for the judges, so she was surprised when they announced her name at the awards ceremony. She had planned to sit at the truck and make it available to the judges when she went out, but she continued to go rounds, going out in the semi's just before the awards ceremony on Sunday," concluded Lisa.

Alesi & Ayrton would like to thank Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners Terry and Rhonda McMillen, Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets, and NGK Spark Plugs for being the best sponsors in the racing industry.

Alesi Gerthe featured in Drag Review 9-15-2006

September 27, 2006 - Rockdale , TX - New Breed Racing's Alesi Gerthe "Graduates From Junior Dragster To Quick Rod" and is featured in the latest edition of IHRA's Drag Review. Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners Terry and Rhonda McMillen, through the IHRA Adopt A Jr. Dragster program, sponsor the Division 4 Dragster Team from San Antonio Raceway, along with TORCO Race Fuels, Amalie Oil, Flatout Gaskets, and NGK Spark Plugs.

"Jeanne Gendreau is the writer for Drag Review's Port-A-Tree Green Light Gang which feature stories and news in each issue profiling the future stars of drag racing...the jr. dragsters," said Lisa Gerthe. "I periodically send emails to our extended racing family with updates on our personal and family life and she received the one after our trip to Martin, Michigan. I had no idea she was featuring Alesi until she emailed asking me to forward photos for the article to Pam Marchyshyn, editor of Drag Review," continued Lisa.

The article, included in the September 15, 2006 issue on page 77, includes photos taken at US 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan following the TORCO Northern Nationals when Alesi received the opportunity to attend Doug Foley's Drag Racing School, thanks to TORCO's Evan Knoll and Latrell Preston, and under the watchful eye of sponsor Terry McMillen, driver of the TORCO powered Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car.

Alesi said, "The first thing Ayrton and I do when we receive the latest edition of Drag Review is to flip to the 'Green Light Gang" and read articles about fellow jr. drag racer's, which usually feature someone we know from the tracks we've attended." Alesi continued, "I was a bit shocked to open this one though because I wasn't expecting it, but it took me back to that special day when I became an official quick rod driver." "Mr. Foley and Mr. Lewis were excellent instructors and it was an awesome experience," concluded Alesi.

New Breed Racing finished the 2006 IHRA Division 4 Pro-Am Tour with top ten finishes, Ayrton came in 10th, and Alesi at 6th in a field of 32 cars in the Jr. Dragster Master's Class. Alesi and Ayrton have numerous wins and final round appearances, including three IHRA Ironmen.

2006 O'Reilly Nationals

September 26, 2006 - Rockdale , TX - New Breed Racing, Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe along with their parents, were given the opportunity to become spectators at the 2006 O'Reilly Nationals held last weekend near Dallas , TX . Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners Terry and Rhonda McMillen, through the IHRA Adopt A Jr. Dragster program, sponsor the Division 4 Dragster Team from San Antonio Raceway, along with TORCO Race Fuels, Amalie Oil, Flatout Gaskets, and NGK Spark Plugs.

Lisa said, "Anytime the professional drag racers are in our area, we love to go spectate. There is absolutely no way to describe the ambiance at a national event," Lisa continued. "It had been a while since we'd attended an NHRA national, normally there is a conflict in our race schedule, but that wasn't the case this past weekend and if you visit my photos, http://photos.yahoo.com/lgerthe you will see Alesi and Ayrton with most of their favorite driver's."

The 2006 race schedule has been an unusual one with the triple double format of the IHRA Division 4 Pro-Am tour ending in early June. Lisa said, "Although our schedule was a bit different this year, it has provided us with unique opportunities and it has been a great year. We were able to attend the Northern Nationals and root for Terry and his team in person during their appearance in the finals, Alesi was licensed by Doug Foley and his driving school after the Michigan event, and two weeks later, we took delivery of our new race rig. Terry McMillen was kind enough to meet us halfway at Tulsa Raceway Park and we will now have room to haul all the cars!" (See attached photo.) "When we purchased the big dragster for Alesi last year, we ran into a problem...we didn't have room for Alesi and Ayrton to race at the same time, so we had been looking for quite some time for a replacement, and Duane happened to notice on http://www.hoosierthunder.com/ that Terry was selling just the exact rig we had been looking for. Little did we know that finding the rig would be easy compared to moving and arranging everything in the new one, and just like our last two trailers, we have managed to almost fill this one up, but we are looking forward to making our first 'trip to the strip' in the new rig very soon," said Lisa.

With the 2006 holiday season approaching quickly, the team will test and attend select events for the remainder of the year, while Alesi gains more seat time in her big dragster preparing for the Quick Rod class next season, and Ayrton prepares for what will most likely be his last year in a jr. dragster. Lisa said, "Although summers in Texas can be extremely hot, the nice thing about living here is that you can race year round if you choose, so we plan to take full advantage of our climate. The 2007 race season will be here before we know it, and we have a long list of things to accomplish before March."

New Breed Racing finished the IHRA Division 4 Pro-Am Tour with top ten finishes, Ayrton came in 10th, and Alesi at 6th in a field of 32 cars in the Jr. Dragster Master's Class.

TORCO Northern Nationals & Doug Foley Drag Racing School - August 2006

August 10, 2006 - Rockdale, TX - New Breed Racing, Ayrton and Alesi Gerthe, along with parents Duane and Lisa made a surprise visit to Terry McMillen and his Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car team by attending the TORCO Racing Fuels Northern Nationals at US 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan held August 5 & 6, 2006. Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners Terry and Rhonda McMillen, through the IHRA Adopt A Jr. Dragster Program, sponsor the IHRA Division 4 Junior Dragster Team from San Antonio Raceway, along with Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets and NGK Spark Plugs.
“We had an awesome visit, Duane and Ayrton helped the crew with the funny car, Alesi observed all the marketing work held at the event and I was able to see my family enjoy spending time with friends doing what we love…drag racing,” explained Lisa. “We enjoyed our visit with Mark Adelizzi of Flatout Gaskets and it was great to be at the event where Terry and his Amalie Oil InstiGator TORCO powered Funny Car team made their first final round appearance of the 2006 eMax Drag Racing series,” continued Lisa. “Terry and Rhonda adopted our kids last year through IHRA and they have gone above and beyond to help Alesi and Ayrton fulfill their drag racing dreams and in a way, we’ve adopted them also and wanted to travel to Michigan and show our support.”
Alesi was presented the opportunity to attend Doug Foley’s Drag Racing School, thanks to TORCO’s Evan Knoll, Latrell Preston and Terry McMillen.
“It was an awesome experience and I’ll never forget it,” said Alesi. “I’d like to gain more seat time this year and compete at all 2007 eMax National events, we’ll see; right now I’m just relieved to have the licensing behind me and Mr. Foley was an excellent instructor.”
Alesi completed the required runs and earned her IHRA Quick Rod Competition License with her final quarter-mile pass of 8.45 @ 160 mph, which enables her to make the move from jr. dragsters and continue to reach for her goal of becoming a professional drag racer.
Lisa said, “On the flight back to Texas, Alesi made reference to there being a lack of female driver’s in the professional classes of IHRA and I told her we better let Dad get comfortable with her speed in Quick Rod and she said, ‘He’d better get ready, someday I will go faster, much faster if I want a Top Fuel License.”

Temple Raceway - July 29-30, 2006

August 2, 2006 - Rockdale, TX - New Breed Racing, Ayrton and Alesi Gerthe, attended a two day race at Temple Raceway, July 29 & 30, 2006. Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners Terry and Rhonda McMillen, through the IHRA Adopt A Jr. Dragster Program, sponsor the IHRA Division 4 Junior Dragster Team from San Antonio Raceway, along with Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets and NGK Spark Plugs.

“The ‘triple double’ race format for the IHRA Division 4 Mr. Gasket Pro-Am Tour was a great idea to help with travel costs, but that meant we would have to fill our race schedule with other select events after the final event at Tulsa in June,” said Lisa Gerthe. “We decided to attend Ironman Classic events in our area and that put a large gap in our schedule, and although we haven’t been at the track as much as usual this summer, it’s been a nice break from the Texas heat,” continued Lisa. “Alesi and Ayrton are members of the Rockdale High School Student Council and that has kept them busy this summer with area service projects, but they were ready to get back to the track this past weekend and get the cars ready for the upcoming Ironman Classic events.”

Ayrton said, “We’ve had some consistency problems this year with both cars and haven’t been able to pinpoint whether the problem is the carburetor or clutch, so last week we went back to our old style clutches, hoping that would solve the problem and we also slowed my car down a bit where it was running 8.30’s instead of 7.90’s,” continued Ayrton. “First time trial, I had to be towed from the track after my car quit just after the finish line and when Alesi made it back to the pits, both cars had ‘spit out’ the clutch bolt, so to make a long story short, we went through six clutches and a fuel pump this weekend at the track, so we were pretty busy.”

Duane Gerthe said, “Despite the mechanical issues we were having with the cars, we had a great weekend, Alesi won the event Saturday night and we think we’re getting a handle on the problems we’ve been experiencing with the cars.” Duane continued, “From a mechanical standpoint it becomes very frustrating when you’ve checked the cars over and made changes and you still have the problems and it even magnifies my disappointment when the kids are doing their job at the tree and driving the cars and the cars let them down; as their crew chief, I take it real personal.”

Alesi said, “It felt real good to be back in the winner’s circle again this past weekend; I’d been to some finals and semi-finals lately, but it had been awhile since I was the last one standing and it was great!” Alesi continued, “Although we were having problems with the car, I remained focused and as the night went on, I kept going rounds and I hung in there!”

Alesi and Ayrton would like to thank Hoosier Thunder Motorsports Team owners Terry and Rhonda McMillen, Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets, and NGK Spark Plugs for being the best sponsors in the racing industry. Also, thanks to IHRA, Sherrie Barbour, and Drag Review for promoting jr. dragster racing. Have a great week!

Tulsa Raceway Park - Tulsa, OK

June 6, 2006 - Rockdale, TX - New Breed Racing, Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe, attended the final stop of the “triple double” Division 4 Mr. Gasket Pro-Am Tour held at Tulsa Raceway Park, June 2-4, 2006.

After the event, Lisa said, “We struggled with the cars and their consistency all weekend and thought we had a handle on them, but it appears we need to continue to make adjustments. Alesi and Ayrton made their adjustments at the tree and had really good lights over the weekend.”

Alesi went out first round Saturday when she went .495 red, while Ayrton went out in round two. Duane said, “The cars were just not running as they should have and we made adjustments and checked things over on Saturday night, but apparently we are still missing something that causes the cars to stumble when they leave the line and it always happens at the wrong time.”

On Sunday, the team talked about the race Saturday and evaluated their cars. “Our goal was to come here and chase the points, but after our performance on Saturday that was no longer a possibility, so we focused on winning the event on Sunday,” said Lisa. First round Sunday, Ayrton went red and Alesi made her way through the pack of 22 master’s cars and down to the final three cars. Alesi said, “My car was running good all day and I was hitting the tree and in the semi’s ‘Blackie’ decided to throw me a curve and stumbled really bad off the line and I knew it was over, but I hung in there hoping my competitor would break out, but that didn’t happen and I crossed the finish line way off my dial.”

With the divisionals behind them, the team will test and prepare for the remainder of the year and plan to attend select IHRA Ironman Classics in the area, while Alesi gains more seat time in her big dragster. The team will travel to Arkansas this weekend and attend the 2nd Annual Jr. Spring Nationals at Prescott Raceway, with races to include the Southwest 330 Outlaw, Southwest 330 Quick 32 and All Run Bracket Races.

Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners Terry and Rhonda McMillen, through the IHRA Adopt A Jr. Dragster Program, sponsor the IHRA Division 4 Junior Dragster Team from San Antonio Raceway, along with Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, C. Trade Group, Flatout Gaskets and NGK Spark Plugs.

Indianapolis 500 - May 28, 2006

Ayrton graduated from eighth grade at Rockdale Jr. High on Thursday, May 25, 2006 and the next day, he and his dad, Duane, headed for Indianapolis, IN and the 90th running of the Indianapolis 500. They flew with friends in a private plane (Cessna 206) from the Rockdale Airport arriving at their destination on Friday evening. Saturday, they attended the parade where the grand marshall was The Food Network's Rachael Ray, and Lance Armstrong was the driver of this years pace car. They also toured the museum and took a bus ride onto the famous track. Sunday was race day and they enjoyed all the pre-race and race activities. Although Ayrton was rooting for Marco Andretti, Sam Hornish Jr. won the event. On Monday on the way home they had to fly IFR for most of the trip due to the weather and they stopped in Addison, TX near Dallas for fuel and Ayrton took off and flew the plane home to Rockdale where Alesi and Mom greeted them upon arrival. Ayrton should have a wonderful memory from the end of his jr. high days to the new beginning of his high school days with this trip to the Indy 500.

Pine Valley Raceway April 7-9, 2006

April 14, 2006 - Rockdale, TX - New Breed Racing, Ayrton and Alesi Gerthe, attended the second stop of the “triple double” Division 4 Mr. Gasket Pro-Am Tour held outside Lufkin, Texas at Pine Valley Raceway, April 7-9, 2006.

Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners Terry and Rhonda McMillen, through the IHRA Adopt A Jr. Dragster Program, sponsor the IHRA Division 4 Junior Dragster Team from San Antonio Raceway, along with Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, C. Trade Group, Flatout Gaskets and NGK Spark Plugs.

After the event, Lisa said, “The cars were running good, we came out Saturday morning running a little faster than we had in testing Friday night and in testing the prior weekend at San Antonio Raceway, so we had to make some changes. Alesi and Ayrton made their adjustments at the tree and had really good lights over the weekend, sometimes a little to close to the edge and it bit both of them over the weekend.”

Ayrton went out first round Saturday when he went red, while Alesi made her way through the 23 car master’s field and down to the final six cars. Alesi said, “My car was running so consistent all day, but in the quarter’s the sun was starting to go down and the conditions started changing and my car fell off its dial a little; just enough to cost me the round, but I guess that’s bracket racing.” The crew made their way back to the pits and began preparing for Sunday’s event.

On Sunday, the team talked about the race Saturday and evaluated their cars. “My goal was to have two identical cars, same chassis, motor, clutch, etc., but these cars are just like my kids, different in their own way,” said Duane. “The master’s rules don’t give you much room when you bust 7.90 and for some reason Alesi’s car wanted to speed up all weekend, but Ayrton’s car was running the number.” Duane continued, “In Alesi’s first time trial Saturday, she came out and ran 7.83; shortly thereafter we received a visit from our Division 4 Director, Frank Kohutek, giving us our warning. I added weight to the car and adjusted the throttle stop which should have put the car running in the high 7.90’s or low 8’s, but it still continued to run around 7.90 all day. Sunday morning we decided not to take a chance, so we added more weight and in the time trial she ran 7.88. We had Alesi drinking fluids, eating, everything we could think of and it seemed every time we added weight, her car sped up!”

First round Sunday, Alesi went red and Ayrton made his way through the pack of 24 master’s cars and down to the final three cars. Ayrton said, “My car wasn’t coming up on the pipe sometimes at the line even though the idle was set, so I was making the adjustments and I got lucky a lot today; I had that feeling that I was taking that Ironman home.” Lisa said, “Ayrton really drove the car this weekend, at the starting line and at the top end. I was having problems with his computer, sometimes it would work and other times it wouldn’t, so finally on Sunday I told him that he was going to have to help me ‘hear the car’ and make the idle adjustments, and he did. When we get into eliminations in bracket racing we don’t like to make many adjustments, so many times Alesi and Ayrton have to step up and help us out. When we have minor problems like the one with the computer, we hope things work out because from a tuning point our hands are tied, but just when we needed the car to be there a little more for us, it wasn’t…it slowed down! It just wasn’t meant to be for us to bring home another Ironman today.” Lisa concluded, “Michael Zampese won Saturday night and we took his car to Pine Valley, so I guess in a way we did take an Ironman home, at least we took the car!”

The team will test and prepare for the final stop of the divisionals scheduled for June 2-4 at Tulsa Raceway Park and is scheduled to participate in Ironman Classics in the area. Alesi will also be gaining more seat time in her big dragster. Alesi and Ayrton would like to thank Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners Terry and Rhonda McMillen, Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, C. Trade Group, Flatout Gaskets, and NGK Spark Plugs for being the best sponsors in the racing industry. Also, thanks to IHRA, Sherrie Barbour, and Drag Review for promoting jr. dragster racing.

San Antonio Raceway - April 1, 2006

April 3, 2006 - Rockdale, TX - New Breed Racing, the sister and brother team Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe, attended the first points race of the bracket racing season at San Antonio Raceway this past Saturday. Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners, Terry and Rhonda McMillen and the Amalie Oil InstiGator Team, through the IHRA Adopt A Jr. Dragster Program, sponsor the IHRA Division 4 Junior Dragster Team from San Antonio Raceway, along with Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets and NGK Spark Plugs. “It had been a few weeks since we’d raced, and we needed to get the cars tuned and ready for the second stop of the Division 4 Mr. Gasket Pro-Am Tour this weekend at Pine Valley Raceway, Lufkin, TX,” said Lisa. “The kids and the cars performed wonderfully and they both made it down to five cars, with Alesi going on to the final round.” “Alesi found the tree early on in the evening, cutting a .500, .503 and .515. When you cut it that close, you hope to finish the day without going red, but that’s just what happened in the finals, she went red,” said Lisa. “We feel good about the cars going into this next divisional.” Alesi and Ayrton would like to thank Hoosier Thunder Motorsports Team owners Terry and Rhonda McMillen, Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets, and NGK Spark Plugs for being the best sponsors in the racing industry. Also, thanks to IHRA, Sherrie Barbour, and Drag Review for promoting jr. dragster racing. Have a great week!
Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe

McMillen visits RHS

A taste of the pro’s life in the fast lane
(Reprinted with permission of The Rockdale Reporter.)

Racing program makes a pit stop at RHS; helps efforts of local junior sibling racers

By KEN ESTEN COOKE
Reporter Staff Writer

 Alesi Gerthe and brother Ayrton are excited. They’re getting a visit today from a professional race car driver and his team and they get to show off their hobby to every student at Rockdale High School.
  The Gerthes, part of the successful brother-and-sister tandem of junior drag racers, were chosen to participate in a new “adoption” program that lets them rub elbows with the big boys of the International Hot Rod Association—in this case, Terry McMillen of Elkhart, Indiana, who stopped in Rockdale on Tuesday to show off his wheels.
  McMillen and his Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team were on the way to San Antonio for the eMax Drag Racing season the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals. His team was chosen to help the Gerthes learn about the racing industry and help them get a leg up on learning the ins and outs of the sport.
  The team rolled out the Amalie Oil “InstiGator” Funny Car and also displayed the drag racers of the Gerthes in the RHS parking lot.
 “This program is a way we can help the sport continue to grow and see that these young racers learn things to continue their careers,” McMillen said of the program.
McMillen, who has spent the past 30 years in racing, admits that the few seconds from starting gate to finish line are only a tiny part of the sport and the “unseen” parts of the business—the marketing and endorsements—end up taking up far more time.
  That’s a big part of the push for the “adoption” program—showing them the ropes of racing.

Marketing
  “We don’t want these young racers to wait until they are 30 or 40 to learn how to get some of the corporate money,” McMillen said.
  McMillen admitted that learning to get sponsorships is a big part of this sport. Racing is not like buying a bat and baseball glove and being in business. These performance machines demand a lot of upkeep and the costs are prohibitive to many. He said even at all levels of the sport, marketing plays a huge part of keeping a team on the road.
 “In this sport, it’s about selling product—not so much about winning or losing on the weekend, but on how much product gets sold on Monday,” he said.
 The Gerthe family watched as the racing team put sponsor stickers on Alesi’s new maroon dragster. Since she recently turned 16, she was allowed to move up to a 750-horsepower dragster from her junior model in which she dominated her age divisions.
  “It helps a lot,” Alesi said. “He’s shown us a lot of things about marketing that we didn’t know. It’s been great.”
  Parents Duane and Lisa Gerthe are trying to raise their children right in a sport that gets a lot of attention. The siblings’ racing team is called “New Breed.”
  “The Gerthes really exemplify what drag racing is all about,” McMillen said. “It’s a true family sport. They live it and it shows in how tight-knit they are as a family.”
But the program looks for youth who look beyond their sport. McMillen was impressed that the Gerthes get their kids to help with the Christmas Round-Up, which provides needy local families with food and toys.
  Alesi also donated 10 inches of her hair to “Locks of Love,” which provides hair pieces to medical patients. She also recently joined RHS’ Peer Assisted Leadership (PAL) program.

Motivation
  But the visit wasn’t only for the Gerthes. McMillen, also named IHRA Sportsman of the Year, gave an assembly to RHS students about setting goals—both short-term and long-term ones and using education to reach those goals. A short feature film was also shown at the assembly. The Gerthes were pleased to be able to glean some knowledge from a big-time racing team.
  “It’s not every day you get to talk to a pro driver,” Alesi said.

InstiGator Team Makes Stop at RHS

March 22, 2006 - Rockdale, TX - New Breed Racing, the sister and brother team Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe, welcomed Terry McMillen and InstiGator team members Tad Heflick, Brent Lidgard, and Jim Walczak to Rockdale High School on Tuesday, March 21, 2006. Everyone was all smiles as the InstiGator prowled its way through the streets of the small Central Texas town, delivering an awesome motivational speech to the students and staff and displaying the Funny Car and rig. “I’m not sure who was smiling more, Alesi & Ayrton or the toothy paint schemed Amalie Oil InstiGator, powered by TORCO Racing Fuels. I’m not a betting lady, but I’d have to put my money on my kids. They were so excited when we received the call from Terry that he would like to visit our town on his way to San Antonio Raceway’s 5th Annual Amalie Oil Texas Nationals,” said Lisa Gerthe. “I’m not sure how many times Alesi and Ayrton called on Monday to see how close Terry and his team were to arriving in Rockdale, but when we saw that rig heading towards us, it was an awesome feeling. Although the team was so exhausted from the long drive from Indiana, they spent time with us and we really enjoyed getting to meet Terry’s team for the first time and visit with Jim, Tad and Skinny.” Lisa continued, “Since we met Terry at last years Amalie Oil Texas Nationals and he and Rhonda decided to implement the Adopt a Jr. Dragster program with IHRA and adopt Alesi & Ayrton, we have sort of adopted them also and communicate with them often. I knew Terry visited schools in the areas that he raced and I hoped he would offer to speak to the students of our school district. Terry’s an excellent role model and ambassador for the sport of drag racing, and he delivered a great motivational message for our students and staff yesterday. I’ve already received many positive comments and know we will see a positive result within our school from his visit.” After the assembly, students were allowed to view the InstiGator Funny car along with Ayrton’s jr. dragster and Alesi’s Quick Rod Dragster. “We’re really looking forward to getting to San Antonio Raceway to offer Terry our support and to enjoy a great weekend of racing,” continued Lisa. “Judy, Todd and their staff have been diligently working and preparing for this event and we know it will be a great success.” Alesi and Ayrton would like to thank the best sponsors in the racing industry Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners, Terry and Rhonda McMillen and their team, along with Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets and NGK Spark Plugs.
Have a great day!
Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe

Alesi selected as member of RHS PALS

March 16, 2006 - Rockdale, TX – Alesi Gerthe, driver for New Breed Racing Team, was recently selected as a member of the Rockdale High School Peer Assistance Leadership Program for the 2006-2007 school year. “Alesi’s leadership qualities and caring attitude set her apart from her peers. She was nominated by a member of the faculty, interviewed by a panel, and selected as a member of the PAL® Program”, stated Karen Muston, RHS PAL® Sponsor. “I am very excited about the upcoming year and look forward to knowing Alesi better.” The PAL® Peer Assistance Leadership Program is a peer-to-peer outreach program for elementary, intermediate, and high school students. The proven results are improved school attendance, reduced drug and alcohol abuse, a positive school climate, increased academic success, responsible behavior, and involvement in community service. The PAL® Program teaches life skills and builds resiliency and assets in students. Established in 1980, the PAL® Program's comprehensive network of prevention activities and training addresses the underlying causes for alcohol, tobacco and other drug use by youth. The PAL® Program provides students of all ages ongoing opportunities to create supportive environments that empower their peers to make healthy, positive decisions and to achieve their human potential. The primary intent of the PAL® Program is to help create, enhance, and support all peer-to-peer and peer leadership programs in schools. Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners, Terry and Rhonda McMillen, through the IHRA Adopt A Jr. Dragster Program, sponsor the IHRA Division 4 Junior Dragster Team from San Antonio Raceway, along with Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets and NGK Spark Plugs.

Division 4 Pro-Am San Antonio Raceway, March 10-12, 2006

March 13, 2006 - Rockdale, TX – Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe, the sister and brother team New Breed Racing, attended the first two of six races of the Division 4 Mr. Gasket Pro-Am Tour’s Master’s Class this past weekend at San Antonio Raceway. Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners, Terry and Rhonda McMillen through the IHRA Adopt A Jr. Dragster Program, sponsor the IHRA Division 4 Junior Dragster team, from San Antonio Raceway, along with Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets and NGK Spark Plugs. It was great to kick off this race tour at our home track, San Antonio Raceway. We had a great weekend of racing; Alesi and Ayrton were very focused. The cars ran good, except for a “stumble fairy” on Alesi’s car. Her car stumbled both days on the starting line and we’re trying to find the problem. On Saturday, Alesi and Ayrton made it down to six cars. On Sunday, Ayrton cut a .499 red in the first round and Alesi went a couple rounds before the “stumble fairy” reared its head and the car fell off. First round, Alesi paired up with friend Michael Zampese and both dialed 7.90. With almost identical reaction times, Alesi won on a double break out 7.899 to Michael’s 7.898. Duane Gerthe said, “That first round race was awesome on Sunday and the kids did great all weekend. We will find the problem with Alesi’s car before the next divisional at Pine Valley in a few weeks.” Alesi and Ayrton would like to thank Hoosier Thunder Motorsports Team owners Terry and Rhonda McMillen and their team, Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets, and NGK Spark Plugs for being the best sponsors in the racing industry. Also, thanks to the IHRA, Sherrie Barbour, and Drag Review for your support of jr. dragster racing.

Division 4 Pro-Am Tour - San Antonio Raceway March 10-12, 2006

March 10, 2006 - Rockdale, TX - New Breed Racing, the sister and brother team Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe, will attended the first two of six races of the Division 4 Mr. Gasket Pro-Am Tour this weekend at San Antonio Raceway. Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners, Terry and Rhonda McMillen through the IHRA Adopt A Jr. Dragster Program, sponsor the IHRA Division 4 Junior Dragster team, from San Antonio Raceway, along with Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets and NGK Spark Plugs. We are excited to be kicking off this season at our home track, San Antonio Raceway and we are equally excited to see all of our “racing family”. The team spent the off-season preparing a Cameron Dragster for Alesi’s anticipated move into Quick Rod. Duane Gerthe explained, “Our initial plans were to have Alesi ready to compete in the Quick Rod class this year at the divisionals and at the Nationals in San Antonio, but we were limited in our opportunities to make the necessary passes toward her license due mainly to weather conditions and scheduling. We want to take it at Alesi’s pace with this big car and considering all the circumstances, I guess we have to look at it as it’s just not the right time. We are in no rush for her to move up from jr.’s, but we’d like her to get some seat time so she can become familiar with this car.” Alesi and Ayrton would like to thank Hoosier Thunder Motorsports Team owners Terry and Rhonda McMillen and their team, Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets, and NGK Spark Plugs for being the best sponsors in the racing industry. Also, thanks to the IHRA, Sherrie Barbour, and Drag Review for your support of jr. dragster racing.

San Antonio Raceway - January 21, 2006

January 22, 2006 - Rockdale, TX - New Breed Racing, the sister and brother team Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe, attended the San Antonio Bracket race held Saturday, January 21, 2006. Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners, Terry and Rhonda McMillen and the Amalie Oil InstiGator Team through the IHRA Adopt A Jr. Dragster Program, sponsor the IHRA Division 4 Junior Dragster team, from San Antonio Raceway, along with Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets and NGK Spark Plugs. We had a great day, it felt good to be back at the track racing after the winter break and be able to see our racing friends. Alesi and Ayrton ended up racing each other in the semi-finals, with Ayrton taking the win after Alesi went red. Before we could get the finals ran, it began raining and the event was called. It’s always interesting and unpredictable when the two of them race each other. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does we always have a talk with them together about how things are going to be when the race is over. Ahhh, sibling rivalry, don’t you just love it! Alesi and Ayrton would like to thank Hoosier Thunder Motorsports Team owners Terry and Rhonda McMillen and the InstiGator Team, Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets, and NGK Spark Plugs for being the best sponsors in the racing industry. Also, thanks to the IHRA, Sherrie Barbour, and Drag Review for your support of jr. dragster racing.

Locks of Love - January 12, 2006

January 12, 2006 - Rockdale, TX - New Breed Racing, the sister and brother team Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe, are gearing up for the upcoming 2006 race season and have been busy throughout the off-season with many tasks. Terry and Rhonda McMillen of Hoosier Thunder Motorsports, through the IHRA Adopt A Jr. Dragster Program, sponsor the IHRA Division 4 Junior Dragster Team from San Antonio Raceway, along with Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets and NGK Spark Plugs. The team has been preparing Alesi’s Cameron Dragster and she will start making passes towards her license and plans to run Quick Rod as well as her jr. dragster this season. Duane Gerthe said, “We want to take it at Alesi’s pace with this big car. We are in no rush for her to move up from jr.’s, but we’d like her to get some seat time so she can become familiar with this car; it’s a big step, but she’s ready!” Alesi said, “Some of my friends who have moved from jr.’s to big dragsters are encouraging me to make the move and let them initiate me. I’m not exactly sure what the initiation will be, but I’m thinking they are ready to start whooping up on me like they did when I first started racing jr. dragsters”, laughed Alesi. The team also continued their holiday tradition by delivering Christmas Round-Up, food and toys for needy families in the Rockdale area. Lisa said, “We have helped with this local charity since Alesi and Ayrton were toddlers and it’s nice to know that we helped make someone’s holiday a little brighter.” Alesi also decided to give a special gift of her own this holiday season by donating over 10 inches of hair to Locks of Love. Lisa said, “Locks of Love is a not-for-profit organization that provides custom-fitted hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under the age of 18 with medical hair loss. Donors provide the hair, volunteers staff the office, and the manufacturer hand-assembles each piece, which takes four to six months and requires 6 to 10 ponytails. The organization, which began in 1997, has helped over 1000 children and over 80 percent of the donors are children, making this a charity where children have the opportunity to help other children.” “I hope someone would do the same for me if I lost my hair due to an illness”, explained Alesi. “After I cut my hair a few days before Christmas, two of my cousins decided to do the same a few days after Christmas and I hope I will inspire others; it’s a good feeling.” Alesi continued, “I encourage people to visit http://www.locksoflove.org/ and learn more about this special organization.” We hope you had a wonderful holiday season and wish you a blessed 2006. Have a great day!

Christmas 2005

Wishing you and yours a joy-filled Holiday Season
filled with love from friends and family
all around and many blessings
in the New Year.

Sending Warm Greetings,

New Breed Racing
Duane, Lisa, Alesi & Ayrton Gerthe

4th Annual JRDrags.com Cajun Jr. Nationals - Pine Valley Raceway, Lufkin TX

November 1, 2005 - Rockdale, TX - New Breed Racing, the sister and brother team Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe, attended the 4th Annual JRDrags.com Cajun Jr. Nationals at Pine Valley Raceway, Lufkin, TX on October 28-30, 2005. Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners, Terry and Rhonda McMillen and the Amalie Oil InstiGator Team, through the IHRA Adopt A Jr. Dragster Program, sponsor the IHRA Division 4 Junior Dragster Team from San Antonio Raceway, along with Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets and NGK Spark Plugs. The Cajun Jr. Nationals was an unscheduled race for the team. Alesi and Ayrton heard so many good things about the annual event and they knew many of their racing friends would be present, so the team made the trek to the East Texas piney woods to join jr. drag racing teams from seventeen different states for a “spooktacular” weekend of racing. The team entered every race of the event which included Index, Age Bracket, Quick 32 and Outlaw 330’. Duane Gerthe said, “Brand X Engines had contacted us last week and asked if Alesi would pilot their Brand X Engines/Racer Pops Components sponsored Outlaw Jr. Dragster”. Alesi jumped at the opportunity to race with the “heads up” crowd and made an impressive showing for her first time in the class and in this car. Alesi averaged .450 at the pro tree and qualified for the main event. Although Alesi was a first round runner-up, she turned her focus on the Quick 32 class the following day. With the weight removed from the car, Alesi qualified in the top of the Quick 32 field and the “Shapley Shuttle” propelled her all the way to the final round, finishing second in Quick 32 and added a silver “Flying Floyd” (an Ironman style trophy) to her collection of Ironmen. Ayrton went to the quarterfinals of the 7.90 Index class and helped with crew duties each day. It was a busy weekend running three cars in five different classes, but the final round appearance in Quick 32, the quarterfinal in 7.90 Index, and the chance to run Outlaw made the long drive home much shorter. Alesi admitted, “It was an adjustment to go from my car to another all day, each day because the set up is different, but I had a really good time and I really liked driving the Outlaw car, especially the burnouts!” The Brand X Engines/RPC Outlaw Jr. Dragster definitely fueled Alesi’s desire to race professionally in the near future and has made for interesting and exhilarating conversation since the weekend. A post on the JRDrags.com forum congratulated “Brand X Engines/Racer Pops Components and their ‘hired gun’ Alesi Gerthe for the final round appearance”.
Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe

2005 Division 4 Team Finals - San Antonio Raceway

October 10, 2005 - Rockdale, TX - New Breed Racing, Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe, attended the 2005 Division 4 Team Finals held at San Antonio Raceway, October 7 – 9, 2005. Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners, Terry and Rhonda McMillen and the Amalie Oil InstiGator Team, through the IHRA Adopt A Jr. Dragster Program, sponsor the IHRA Division 4 Junior Dragster Team from San Antonio Raceway, along with Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets and NGK Spark Plugs. A cold front brought cooler temperatures and rain that halted the racing on Friday, but the rest of the weekend was picture perfect. In the main event on Sunday with a field of 56 cars, Alesi made it down to fourteen cars and Ayrton went to the quarterfinals. Although we missed our goal of bringing home another Ironman, our team did help San Antonio Raceway win another track championship.

San Antonio Raceway - "Double" & Final I-10 Race - October 1, 2005

October 2, 2005 - Rockdale, TX – Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe, Jr. Dragster drivers for New Breed Racing attended the final race for the 2005 I-10 Series and track points at San Antonio Raceway on Saturday, October 1, 2005. Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners, Terry and Rhonda McMillen and the Amalie Oil InstiGator Team, through the IHRA Adopt A Jr. Dragster Program, sponsor the IHRA Division 4 Junior Dragster Team from San Antonio Raceway, along with Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets and NGK Spark Plugs. The day was packed full of racing with time trials starting just after noon and the team arrived home at 3 a.m. this morning. The day was unique and challenging because our crew chief/dad Duane had to stay behind due to work commitments, but thanks to our friend Travis Crim and the support of our racing family, we had an awesome night. It’s nice to have great friends and you don’t realize it until you’re faced with a situation. Many knew Duane wouldn’t be with us and when others noticed, they offered help and support. It’s a good feeling, but we know IHRA racers are special people. Duane had the cars tuned and ready, so all we had to do was pour in the TORCO Racing Fuel and go rounds. The only mechanical failure was a flat on our tow dolly, but Todd Zampese helped us out offering a replacement wheel. Ayrton stayed in on both color tech cards several rounds and put six elimination round passes on his car. Alesi made a final round appearance, finished second, and put ten elimination round passes on her car. Although we had a great day of racing and wanted to prove we could go rounds, it didn’t feel the same without our crew chief there with us. We called him after each pass and were thankful for the performance of our Hardens Race Cars powered by Blossom Racing Engines. We look forward to the Division 4 Team Finals next weekend at San Antonio Raceway and our goal is to bring home another “Ironman”. Alesi and Ayrton would like to thank Hoosier Thunder Motorsports Team owners Terry and Rhonda McMillen and the InstiGator Team, Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets, and NGK Spark Plugs for being the best sponsors in the racing industry. Also, thanks to IHRA, Sherrie Barbour, and Drag Review for promoting jr. dragster racing.

San Antonio Raceway - September 17, 2005

September 19, 2005 - Rockdale, TX - New Breed Racing, the sister and brother team Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe, attended the bracket race held at San Antonio Raceway on Saturday, September 17, 2005. Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners, Terry and Rhonda McMillen and the Amalie Oil InstiGator Team, through the IHRA Adopt A Jr. Dragster Program, sponsor the IHRA Division 4 Junior Dragster Team from San Antonio Raceway, along with Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets and NGK Spark Plugs. Alesi and Ayrton had a great night and came close to racing each other in the finals. Ayrton treed his competitor in the semi-finals, but lost on a break out pass. Alesi went to the final round and came up short against her competitor, Michael Zampese. We were very proud of our drivers’ performance on Saturday with a final and semi-final round appearance, and the cars were there for them. Our next race will be October 1, 2005 at San Antonio Raceway. Alesi and Ayrton would like to thank Hoosier Thunder Motorsports Team owners Terry and Rhonda McMillen and the InstiGator Team, Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets, and NGK Spark Plugs for being the best sponsors in the racing industry. Also, thanks to IHRA, Sherrie Barbour, and Drag Review for promoting jr. dragster racing.

San Antonio Raceway Double Points - September 10, 2005

September 15, 2005 - New Breed Racing, Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe from Rockdale, TX, attended the double points bracket race held at San Antonio Raceway, September 10, 2005. After two rain delays, the team had a strong finish with Ayrton making it to the quarter final round and Alesi advancing to the semi-finals. With just a couple of races left until the Division 4 Bracket Finals, the team is focusing on ending the 2005 season with a strong finish at its final events. Alesi and Ayrton will travel to San Antonio Raceway this Saturday and compete in the bracket race. Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners, Terry and Rhonda McMillen and the Amalie Oil InstiGator Team through the IHRA Adopt A Jr. Dragster Program, sponsor the IHRA Division 4 Junior Dragster Team, from San Antonio Raceway, along with Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets and NGK Spark Plugs.

Lone Star Raceway Park IHRA Division 4 Renegade Shootout and Pro-Am - September 2-4, 2005

September 5, 2005 - Lone Star Raceway Park, Sealy, Texas - The weekend was packed full of racing, with hot and humid Texas days and steamy nights. New Breed Racing, the jr. dragster team from San Antonio Raceway, had a great time and the Saturday "double points" Renegade Shootout proved successful for team member Alesi Gerthe, a fifteen year old sophomore at Rockdale High School. Alesi won the Renegade Shootout Jr. Masters which moved her to the Jr. Jam Shootout with Dylan Lee who won Jr. Advanced and Tristen "Chigger" Johnson who won Jr. Beginner. Dylan got the BYE in the Jr. Jam Shootout, Alesi beat "Chigger" and went on to race Dylan in the finals. Dylan won and Alesi was runner-up. It's really interesting and evident what a special bond these jr. racer's have with each other, because they are friends all weekend long, but when they roll through the water box, it's all business. We came up short of our divisional goal this season, but thanks to many friends old and new, it was a year of learning, growing and alot of fun! Our crew chief/dad Duane does an awesome job tuning and preparing the cars for each race and we wouldn't be a success without his expertise and "finger pointing"!! Thanks for everything Dad, you are the best and we love you!!! John Harden is the best chassis builder, Craig Blossom is an awesome engine builder and this combination keeps us going rounds and we appreciate them for providing us with all the best parts! This year has been very special with the new relationship we have with Terry and Rhonda McMillen and their entire crew including Jim Walczak. Each race weekend wouldn't be the same without the support of so many people, including our "racing family": the Lee's, Matheny's, Wayne Baker, Twig, the Buford's, Johnson's, Zampese's, Talley's, Crim's, Kilpatrick's, George and Karen. We would like to thank the BEST sponsors in the racing industry: Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners Terry and Rhonda McMillen and the InstiGator Funny Car Team as part of the IHRA Adopt A Jr. Dragster Program, along with Amalie Oil, TORCO Race Fuel, NGK Spark Plugs and Flatout Gaskets. Also, we'd like to thank IHRA, Sherrie Barbour, Drag Review and Jeanne Gendreau for giving our kids the opportunity to live their dreams and for the "Green Light Gang".

Lone Star Raceway - August 27, 2005

New Breed Racing attended a bracket and jr. dragster war race held at Lone Star Raceway Park in Sealy, Texas on August 27, 2005. We had made some changes to the cars and needed to make some test runs to prepare for the upcoming divisional. We had only completed the first round of the jr. dragster wars, but had almost finished the bracket race when a front blew in just before midnight. Alesi had made it to the finals in the bracket race, but the race was called when the front brought high winds and rain. This same front from the North was the one that collided with Hurricane Katrina and directed her North into the mainland of the Gulf of Mexico. New Breed Racing thanks their sponsors Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners Terry and Rhonda McMillen and the InstiGator Team along with Amalie Oil, TORCO Race Fuels, NGK Spark Plugs and Flatout Gaskets.

San Antonio Raceway - August 20, 2005

August 20, 2005 - New Breed Racing, Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe, from Rockdale, Texas traveled to the weekly bracket points race and I-10 series held at San Antonio Raceway. The team is sponsored by Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners Terry and Rhonda McMillen and the InstiGator Team from Elkhart, Indiana as part of the IHRA Adopt A Jr. Dragster Program, along with Amalie Oil, TORCO Race Fuels, NGK Spark Plugs and Flatout Gaskets. In racing action today, Ayrton went out in the second round and Alesi made it to the quarter finals. Alesi and Ayrton thank their sponsors for all of their support!

Alesi Gerthe featured in IHRA Drag Review Green Light Gang - August 5, 2005

IHRA Mr. Gasket Pro-Am At Tulsa Raceway Park - The Fourth of July weekend weather was fantastic, especially compared to last year's divisional heat wave at Tulsa Raceway Park (TRP), (temperatures last year reached over 108 degrees in the shade.) Racers were also appreciative of the ongoing improvements at TRP and the concession stands catered by Rich Moline's Up In Smoke Barbecue. JUNIOR MASTER - Brandon Bass from San Antonio, Texas moved on to the finals where he was paired with Alesi Gerthe from Rockdale, Texas. Bass took the Ironman with his perfect .000 light and Gerthe's breakout, 8.00 on her 8.01 dial. Fifteen-year-old Alesi Gerthe of New Breed Racing drives an '03 Hardens powered by an '05 Blossom Racing Engine. She thanks her parents Duane and Lisa and her brother Ayrton. She said, "I'm glad Uncle Karl was with us this weekend in Tulsa, as well as all my racing family; the Lee's, Michael Zampese, the Johnson's, the Buford's, the Bailey's, the Matheny's, Wayne Baker and Twig. Thanks to all of you for the memorable weekend and especially the "Water War". George and Karen, thanks for your support. Ron Matheny, you win the award for the "Water War" because somehow you seemed to get everybody wet, especially when you hid on the top of your bus!" Gerthe added, "Thank you to our IHRA Adopt A Junior Dragster sponsor, Hoosier Thunder Motorsports owned by Terry and Rhonda McMillen and the InstiGator team, along with Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, NGK Spark Plugs and Flatout Gaskets. Also we thank our regular weekly supporters in Texas; the Talley's, the Kilpatrick's and the Crim's. These people call us each week to get the weekly race report and we appreciate their support." Gerthe also was the runner-up on Saturday (Jr. Master) in the Renegade Series.

San Antonio Raceway - August 13, 2005

August 15, 2005 - Rockdale, TX - New Breed Racing, Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe, attended the weekly bracket race at San Antonio Raceway, August 13, 2005. Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners, Terry and Rhonda McMillen and the Amalie Oil InstiGator Team through the IHRA Adopt A Jr. Dragster Program, sponsor the IHRA Division 4 Junior Dragster Team, from San Antonio Raceway, along with Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets and NGK Spark Plugs. This past weekends bracket race was a "double points" event and Ayrton went to the second round and Alesi made a semi-final round appearance. The team will travel to San Antonio Raceway this weekend for a bracket and I-10 series race. Alesi and Ayrton would like to thank Hoosier Thunder Motorsports Team owners Terry and Rhonda McMillen and the InstiGator Team, Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets, and NGK Spark Plugs for all their support and also thanks to IHRA, Sherrie Barbour, and Drag Review for promoting jr. dragster racing.

IHRA Division 4 Renegade Shootout and Pro-Am Tour - San Antonio Raceway - August 5-7, 2005

August 7, 2005 - Rockdale, TX - New Breed Racing, Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe, attended the IHRA Division 4 Renegade Shootout and Pro-Am Tour at San Antonio Raceway this weekend, August 5-7, 2005. Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners, Terry and Rhonda McMillen and the Amalie Oil InstiGator Team through the IHRA Adopt A Jr. Dragster Program, sponsor the IHRA Division 4 Junior Dragster Team, from San Antonio Raceway, along with Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets and NGK Spark Plugs. Alesi and Ayrton were very excited to be back at the racetrack after a brief break in racing due to the recent rainy weather in Texas. It’s been three weeks since we have been able to race and although we are thankful for the recent rains, it was time to get back to racing! On Sunday, Alesi made it to the quarter finals and down to five cars before losing on a break out pass. Alesi and Ayrton would like to thank Hoosier Thunder Motorsports Team owners Terry and Rhonda McMillen and the InstiGator Team, Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets, and NGK Spark Plugs for all their support and also thanks to IHRA, Sherrie Barbour, and Drag Review for promoting jr. dragster racing. Have a great weekend!
Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe

San Antonio Raceway - July 9, 2005

July 13, 2005 - Rockdale, TX - New Breed Racing, Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe, attended the bracket series race at San Antonio Raceway, July 9, 2005. Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners, Terry and Rhonda McMillen and the Amalie Oil InstiGator Team through the IHRA Adopt A Jr. Dragster Program, sponsor the IHRA Division 4 Junior Dragster Team, from San Antonio Raceway, along with Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets and NGK Spark Plugs. On Saturday, Alesi went out in the second round and Ayrton went to the semi-final round. The team will travel to Lone Star Raceway Park just outside Houston, Texas this weekend for the fourth stop of the IHRA Division 4 Renegade Shootout and Mr. Gasket Pro-Am Tour. In the Jr. Dragster Master’s Class point standings, Alesi is in 5th place and Ayrton is in 7th place, with 31 cars in the class. Alesi and Ayrton would like to thank Hoosier Thunder Motorsports Team owners Terry and Rhonda McMillen and the InstiGator Team, Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets, and NGK Spark Plugs for being the best sponsors in the racing industry. Also, thanks to IHRA, Sherrie Barbour, and Drag Review for promoting jr. dragster racing. Have a great week!

IHRA Div. 4 - Tulsa Raceway Park, July 1-3, 2005

July 6, 2005 - Rockdale, TX - New Breed Racing, the sister and brother team Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe, attended the third stop of the IHRA Division 4 Renegade Shootout and Mr. Gasket Pro-Am Tour at Tulsa Raceway Park, July 1-3, 2005. Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners, Terry and Rhonda McMillen and the Amalie Oil InstiGator Team through the IHRA Adopt A Jr. Dragster Program, sponsor the IHRA Division 4 Junior Dragster Team from San Antonio Raceway, along with Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets and NGK Spark Plugs. In the Renegade Shootout on Saturday, Alesi went to the final round and finished second and Ayrton went out in the first round. In the divisional on Sunday, Ayrton treed his competitor but broke out in the first round, while Alesi went to the finals and placed second. Alesi and Ayrton would like to thank Hoosier Thunder Motorsports Team owners Terry and Rhonda McMillen and the InstiGator Team, Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets, and NGK Spark Plugs for being the best sponsors in the racing industry. Also, thanks to IHRA, Sherrie Barbour, and Drag Review for promoting jr. dragster racing.

IHRA Division 4 Renegade Shootout and Pro Am Tour - San Antonio

June 22, 2005 - Rockdale, TX - New Breed Racing, the sister and brother team Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe, attended the second stop of the IHRA Division 4 Renegade Shootout and Pro Am Tour, June 17-19, 2005 at San Antonio Raceway. Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners, Terry and Rhonda McMillen and the Amalie Oil InstiGator Team through the IHRA Adopt A Jr. Dragster Program, sponsor the IHRA Division 4 Junior Dragster Team, from San Antonio Raceway, along with Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets and NGK Spark Plugs. Alesi and Ayrton race in the Masters Class, 7.90 ET 1/8 mile, and features drivers age 12 through 17. Alesi went to the second round on Saturday and Sunday, while Ayrton went out in the first round on Saturday and went to round three on Sunday. The team returns to San Antonio Raceway this Saturday for the I-10 Shootout and Bracket Race, and will prepare for the upcoming race in Tulsa, OK. Alesi and Ayrton would like to thank Hoosier Thunder Motorsports Team owners Terry and Rhonda McMillen and the InstiGator Team, Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flat Out Gaskets, and NGK Spark Plugs for supporting jr. dragster racing. Also, thanks to IHRA, Sherrie Barbour, and Drag Review for promoting jr. dragster racing.

June 11, 2005 Lone Star Raceway

June 16, 2005 - Rockdale, TX - New Breed Racing, the sister and brother team Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe, roll into the “Alamo City” for the rescheduled race in the second stop of the Division 4 Renegade Shootout and Pro-Am Series this weekend, June 17 – 19, 2005, at San Antonio Raceway. Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners, Terry and Rhonda McMillen and the Amalie Oil InstiGator Team through the IHRA Adopt A Jr. Dragster Program, sponsor the IHRA Division 4 Junior Dragster Team, from San Antonio Raceway, along with Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets and NGK Spark Plugs. The cars are running well, with Ayrton making it down to six cars and Alesi making a final round appearance, finishing second at the bracket race held last Saturday, June 11, 2005 at Lone Star Raceway Park in Sealy, Texas. The weekend proved to be an excellent opportunity for Alesi and Ayrton, as well as the team, to prepare for the upcoming divisional. At this stage of the racing season, things not only heat up with the various points races, but the temperatures are rising in the Lone Star state, so we have to prepare for the hot and humid Texas days and the somewhat cooler nights at the tracks. With bracket racing, the key is consistency, so we have been tuning the cars to run as consistent as possible given the weather conditions. Alesi and Ayrton would like to thank Hoosier Thunder Motorsports Team owners Terry and Rhonda McMillen and the InstiGator Team, Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets, and NGK Spark Plugs for being the best sponsors in the racing industry. Also, thanks to the IHRA, Sherrie Barbour, and Drag Review for your support of jr. dragster racing.

San Antonio Bracket and I-10 Series

June 6, 2005 - Rockdale, TX - New Breed Racing, the sister and brother team Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe, attended the San Antonio Bracket and I-10 Series held Saturday June 4, 2005. Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners, Terry and Rhonda McMillen and the Amalie Oil InstiGator Team through the IHRA Adopt A Jr. Dragster Program, sponsor the IHRA Division 4 Junior Dragster team, from San Antonio Raceway. Sponsors for Alesi and Ayrton include Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets and NGK Spark Plugs. We had a great weekend and since we took a break over Memorial Day weekend, it was great to be back at the track racing and visiting our "track family". At an I-10 event, on the final time trial, all racers (electronics, no electronics and jr.'s) can pay to compete in the "run for the rubber", where you place a dial on your car and the racer closet to his dial wins a pair of drag racing slicks. Alesi was the jr. closest to her dial, a 7.9080 on a 7.90 dial, but another racer ran dead on his number with a zero. Alesi was breaking in her new motor/clutch over the weekend. Ayrton went out in the second round, while Alesi made it down to four cars before Mother Nature decided to produce rain and high winds around midnight. As the weekend progressed, Alesi settled in to her new set up and began to find her spot on the tree. In the I-10 Series, a race series between San Antonio Raceway and Lone Star Raceway, Alesi is currently fifth and Ayrton is eighth overall, in the Jr. Dragster points standings. Four races remain in the series, with the top racer in all classes (electronics, no electronics and jr.’s) in the series winning a new trailer. Currently Alesi has 171 points, Ayrton has 140 points and the overall leader has 202 points, so if we continue to do well we could bring home a new trailer! Alesi and Ayrton would like to thank Hoosier Thunder Motorsports Team owners Terry and Rhonda McMillen and the InstiGator Team, Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets, and NGK Spark Plugs for being the best sponsors in the racing industry. Also, thanks to the IHRA, Sherrie Barbour, and Drag Review for your support of jr. dragster racing.

The Best Sponsors in the Racing Industry

June 2, 2005 - Rockdale, TX- New Breed Racing, the sister and brother duo, Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe, IHRA Division 4 Junior Dragster team from San Antonio Raceway, are sponsored by Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owners, Terry and Rhonda McMillen and the Amalie Oil InstiGator Team through the IHRA Adopt A Jr. Dragster Program. Sponsors for the InstiGator include: Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets, NGK Spark Plugs, MSD, Performance Graphics, Powershield Coatings and Crane Cams. Alesi and Ayrton would like to offer their sincere appreciation to Mr. And Mrs. McMillen for “giving back” to the sport of drag racing, along with the IHRA and all of the team and sponsors of the InstiGator. We can’t imagine how busy Mr. And Mrs. McMillen are with operating a professional team, as well as their personal life, and to take the time to develop this program really shows their personal commitment to “paying it forward” and the sport of racing, but also their character. We feel extremely fortunate to be part of the Adopt A Jr. Dragster Program and are grateful for the opportunity. We are looking forward to taking our racing experience to the next level and never dreamed that an opportunity like this would surface. When we look back on our racing career, especially the past few months, it is sort of our version of a “Cinderella” story. Being in the right place at the right time and establishing relationships definitely made all of this possible! With Mr. And Mrs. McMillen working with Sherrie Barbour at IHRA, we can’t wait to see what happens in the jr. dragster program and in the sport that means so much to our families. We welcome the new challenges and experiences that will arise and are eager to learn all aspects of drag racing from a professional driver, Terry McMillen, who recently appeared at a Pennsylvania Elementary School as their featured speaker at the school’s anti-drug assembly. This experience has already afforded us the knowledge to develop http://www.newbreedracing.com/ and “blogging”, thanks to the expertise of Jim Walczak, and we know we will sharpen our communication skills and learn sponsorship proposal development, as well as establish relationships with sponsors who support drag racing. This opportunity is not only wonderful for our family, it is a great thing for all jr. dragster racers! Since we started racing in 2001, we have seen many jr. racer’s continue on to a big car and many have come along to fill their space in the staging lanes, the sport is really growing. The IHRA Adopt A Jr. Dragster Program is going to aid in this growth and continue to add and retain future drivers in the sport of drag racing. We will do our best to communicate with our sponsors and always display a positive example for a true family sport. Our current plans are for Alesi and Ayrton to step up to full size dragsters and continue to be part of drag racing for many years to come. Alesi and Ayrton are competing in the bracket points series at their home track San Antonio Raceway and Lone Star Raceway, the Division 4 Renegade Shootout Series and Pro-Am Tour, and the I-10 Series. We now have the best sponsors in the racing industry and our job is to learn as much as we can and bring exposure to all of our sponsors: Hoosier Thunder Motorsports Team owners Terry and Rhonda McMillen and the InstiGator Team, Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets and NGK Spark Plugs.