Ayrton Gerthe attends RHS Prom

Ayrton Gerthe escorted friend and classmate Kaitlyn Sieber to the 2009 Rockdale High School Prom, held April 25, 2009 at the Patterson Civic Center in Rockdale, TX. After a "LimBusine" ride to dine at The Oasis just outside Austin, Texas on Lake Travis, the group returned to join classmates at their prom.

IHRA Divisional - Tulsa Raceway Park

New Breed Racing’s Alesi Gerthe attended the first set of races for the IHRA Pro-Am Tour at Tulsa Raceway Park this past weekend, April 17-19, 2009. “The weather forecast did not look very promising for the event, and sure enough we ended up running both days of racing on Sunday after storms moved into the area and cancelled Saturday’s racing,” said Lisa Gerthe. “In Day One action, Alesi went out in round two and in Day Two action she bowed out in round three with nine cars remaining. Despite the drastic weather changes over the weekend, the car was amazingly consistent, and we think we have found a reason for some of the inconsistencies Alesi has experienced in the past. As you can see from the attached photo by Robert Grice, Alesi’s dragster is carrying both front wheels off the line, so we think it is affecting her consistency. Thanks to Robert’s excellent photo skills, we will be able to address this issue.”

Makeovers and Medals in March for NBR...

Since our last race in Baton Rouge, New Breed Racing has been busy with updating our golf cart and Alesi’s dragster, and Ayrton medaled at the UIL Academic meet. “We have had many conversations and thoughts about updating our pit vehicle and with a few weeks before our next race, we decided to tackle it,” said Duane. “And Alesi’s dragster has needed some body and paint repair, so we got that accomplished as well.”

Ayrton helped Rockdale High School achieve something that has eluded the school for over two decades, a first place finish in district UIL competition. He competed on the science team at the District 24-3A UIL Academic meet held recently at Blinn College and received two medals. The science team finished 4th, with Ayrton placing sixth overall and he was the top scorer in physics, which enables him to compete at the regional meet later this month. The next scheduled race for the team is the IHRA Divisional at Tulsa Raceway Park, April 17-19, 2009.

Announcing www.AlesiGerthe.com & www.AyrtonGerthe.com ….

We are excited to announce that Alesi and Ayrton each have their own domain name which will forward to our team site www.NewBreedRacing.com. We hope this added feature will attract lots of visitors, so we invite you to visit our site now to learn more about our team!

Please forward this to anyone who might be interested, to help us spread the word.

Alesi Gerthe named to Temple College Fall 2008 President's Honor List

Temple College recently announced the President’s Honor List in recognition of high academic achievement for the 2008 fall session, and New Breed Racing's Alesi Gerthe from Rockdale, Texas is among those listed.

“Education ranks at the top of Alesi's priority list, with drag racing coming in close behind," said Lisa Gerthe. "Alesi continues to manage a full load at college along with being very involved in helping the team with marketing, not to mention our race schedule. She continues to tailor her classes to best meet her needs with online and hybrid courses along with the traditional class setting. Racing and her dream of joining the professional ranks continue to appear in her short and long range plan, and she is doing an awesome job at keeping everything in focus and in the right perspective despite distractions and set backs that life sometimes throws your way."

To be named to the President’s Honor List a student must be taking at least nine semester hours of work and must have a grade point average of at least 4.0.

Alesi Gerthe competes at IHRA Mardi Gras Nationals

March 18, 2009 – Rockdale, TX – New Breed Racing’s Alesi Gerthe competed at the inaugural IHRA Mardi Gras Nationals at State Capitol Dragway in Baton Rouge, LA, March 6-8, 2009.

“It was great to get back in my race car, and I am very excited about this season. The car was running great and I was hitting the tree,” stated Alesi. “First round my competitor and I both went red by exactly the same amount (-.013), but I guess that last number not seen on the time slip must have been ‘just that much’ worse. What are the odds; in my entire racing career I have never seen that happen. Thanks to Philip Pennington for testing Ayrton’s car for us, apparently we made the right changes over the winter! Despite our early exit from competition, we had a great time catching up with friends, the crawfish meal the track provided was authentic & fun, and we were able to cheer on our friends, including Terry McMillen.”

Alesi Gerthe applies for Lyn St. James Women in the Winners Circle Foundation Project Podium Grant

New Breed Racing’s Alesi Gerthe recently submitted her application for consideration as a recipient of the Lyn St. James Women in the Winners Circle Foundation Project Podium Grant.

The nineteen year old college student applied for the Project Podium Grant, which goals are to ‘provide financial assistance in the form of matching grants to young women drivers to help further their early professional careers, introduce or further provide experience for young drivers related to the very important business aspect of the racing industry, increase the number of women winning races and championships in key categories of motorsports, and create a diverse talent pool of women drivers in the upper echelon of motorsports’.

"Lyn St. James and the Women in the Winners Circle Foundation are providing wonderful opportunities for young females with their programs, and I hope I am selected for the grant program. Thank you to those who sent a letter of recommendation for me. I also plan to submit my application to their Complete Driver Academy later this year,” said Alesi.

For more information on Lyn St James and the Project Podium Program please visit www.lynstjames.com .

About Project Podium: Founded in 2007, Project Podium is a program within the Women in the Winner’s Circle Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1994 by Lyn St. James. Each year, up to $50,000 in funds are available to young women drivers who compete in all forms of motorsports including karting, quarter midgets, drag racing, sports car and oval track racing. The overarching goal of Project Podium is to provide financial assistance in the form of matching grants to women drivers to help further their professional careers. Secondarily, the Project Podium process introduces or further provides experience for drivers in the very important business aspect of the racing industry by the matching fund requirement. The grants awarded to up-and-coming young women drivers are not possible without the help of individuals, companies, tracks, teams, and series who make financial contributions to the Women in the Winner’s Circle Foundation. Current partners include: Championship Atlantic Series, Grand American Road Racing, Indy Racing League/Firestone Indy Lights Series, iRacing.com, Mazda, Newman’s Own, Mike Helton, NHRA Championship Drag Racing, Rolex, The NASCAR Foundation, Toyota, and Volkswagen.

Ayrton Gerthe inducted into Temple College Honor Society

New Breed Racing’s Ayrton Gerthe was inducted into the Lambda Theta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Temple College on Sunday, March 1, 2009. Ayrton is enrolled in dual-credit classes while completing his senior year at Rockdale High School.

Established in 1918 by two-year college presidents, Phi Theta Kappa is the oldest and most prestigious honor society serving two-year colleges around the world. The Society serves to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students and provide opportunities for individual growth and development through honors, leadership and service programming. Membership eligibility is based on an overall 3.5 grade point average after completion of 12 academic credit hours in two consecutive semesters; therefore, membership is a special honor afforded to a small group of outstanding students. Students must be invited to membership in Phi Theta Kappa and must maintain high academic standing during their enrollment in the two-year college.

NBR ready to begin race season...

New Breed Racing has been busy during the winter break from racing, and is eager to get the 2009 season started. With the new points format in the IHRA and the current economic situation facing our country, the team has decided on a different approach to their upcoming season.

Each year during the winter break, the team sits down and evaluates what the best plan of action is for their partners and team members. This year we took a closer look at each race, our personal schedules, and devised a plan to work for our present situation.

“Alesi continues to tailor her college schedule around racing so she can work toward her educational goals, while not sacrificing her dream of joining the professional ranks,” said Lisa Gerthe. “With Ayrton’s decision to graduate high school in three years, he has a full load of college and high school classes in order to graduate this May. As a team, we decided that in order for Ayrton to finish high school with the highest possible GPA, he will not race the first part of the season. This decision will also help our racing budget while we continue to work on securing more funding to help with our entry fees and travel expenses.”

The team also decided when the new IHRA points format was released that they would once again race on the NHRA side.

“With the new IHRA points format we decided to step away from our usual plan of chasing points, and allow our team to attend NHRA events as well. With our new approach, we will have more flexibility with our race schedule, and race a little closer to home,” added Lisa. “We are looking forward to this upcoming season, and are excited about the opportunities that await our team!”

PRI & Dallas Children's Hospital

January 8, 2009 – Rockdale, TX – New Breed Racing closed out 2008 with a busy December filled with the usual holiday gatherings, and also attended the PRI show in Orlando, FL and the Dallas Children’s Hospital.

“I finished up my college final exams early and hopped on the first plane out to Orlando to meet with our partners and make some new contacts at the PRI show. We are really excited about the 2009 race season. We spent one afternoon at Walt Disney World and had dinner in the Dolphin Resort at Shula's Steakhouse,” commented Alesi. “We also closed out the year with a visit to the Dallas Children’s Hospital, something I felt like our team needed to do. Thanks to the support of family and friends, including Robert & Kim Grice, George & Karen, Uncle Karl & Aunt Angela, Aunt Geri, Tasco Auto Color/PPG, Tommie & Susie Pounders, and Dad & Mom, Ayrton and I were able to distribute Build-A-Bears, coloring books, crayons, photos, and smiles to approximately forty-five patients. We plan to make this a yearly visit and my goal is to expand it each year to include more patients,” concluded Alesi.

Alesi Gerthe begins testing in the Amalie Oil InstiGator

December 5, 2008 - While most people enjoyed a relaxing Thanksgiving holiday weekend taking in football games or catching the right deal on items at the local store, New Breed Racing’s Alesi Gerthe was taking another step in her quest to become a professional drag racer by beginning her first experience in the Amalie Oil “InstiGator” Alcohol Funny Car.

Alesi met up with Terry McMillen and Hoosier Thunder Motorsports crew members Tad Heflick and Austin Lambright over the weekend at Tulsa Raceway Park. Alesi, Austin and Tad each took turns in the “InstiGator” under the watchful eye of team owner Terry McMillen.

“When Terry and Rhonda ‘adopted’ Ayrton and I back in the Spring of 2005, they began mentoring and grooming us in all aspects of our racing program with the goal of joining the professional ranks someday,” commented Alesi. “This past weekend I was able to take the next step toward that goal and I am very excited about my future. I feel very blessed and fortunate to have had the opportunity to test in the Amalie Oil ‘InstiGator’, and we wouldn’t be where we are today with our race program without so many people, including our partners, and especially Terry and Rhonda. We couldn’t have picked a better group of people to be associated with and to know they chose us, is definitely an honor. They are committed to bringing up the next generation of driver’s, and I can’t wait for my next opportunity to gain more seat time in the ‘InstiGator’. I haven’t stopped smiling since we left Tulsa,” concluded Alesi.

Alesi Gerthe inducted into Temple College honor society

Temple, TX - New Breed Racing’s Alesi Gerthe was inducted into the Lambda Theta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Temple College on Sunday, October 19, 2008. Alesi is obtaining her Associates of Arts before transferring to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.

Established in 1918 by two-year college presidents, Phi Theta Kappa is the oldest and most prestigious honor society serving two-year colleges around the world. The Society serves to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students and provide opportunities for individual growth and development through honors, leadership and service programming. Membership eligibility is based on an overall 3.5 grade point average after completion of 12 academic credit hours in two consecutive semesters; therefore, membership is a special honor afforded to a small group of outstanding students. Students must be invited to membership in Phi Theta Kappa and must maintain high academic standing during their enrollment in the two-year college.

NGK's new enthusiast website features Alesi & Ayrton Gerthe

NGK’s new enthusiast website in now up! Please visit www.artoffast.com and click on the featured racers section to see Ayrton & Alesi’s profile.

Hurricane Ike's Aftermath on the Texas Coast

September 27, 2008 - Alesi, Ayrton & Lisa took a road trip with their friends, The Carter Family, to the Texas Coastal area to view the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. Please remember to keep these communities and families in your prayers. This area will have many days, months and possible years to get back on their feet again. The destruction of the storm is very hard to describe in words, photos do not tell the whole story. We toured the Houston, Kemah, and Galveston areas just two weeks after the storm. Much work has been done, but there is still much to be done.

Alesi & Ayrton meet Alexis De Joria and Sean O'Bannon

September 20, 2008 - Ennis, TX - New Breed Racing traveled to the NHRA O’Reilly Super Start Batteries Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex just south of Dallas, Texas and took in a day of racing from a spectators view. The weather was great and we were able to spend time and talk with Alexis De Joria and Sean O'Bannon, driver's of the Tequila Patrón/Jack O’Bannon Racing Team's Alcohol Funny Cars.

Harwood Industries

September 18, 2008 - New Breed Racing’s Alesi Gerthe is pleased to announce that Harwood Industries has graciously added a photo of her dragster in their recent advertisement featured in NHRA’s National Dragster and IHRA’s Drag Review.

“With over 35 years in the industry, Harwood is the leader in aftermarket fiberglass for race, street and show,” commented Alesi. “At any race, whether nationally or locally, Harwood scoops are on the majority of dragsters, and I am honored that they chose to use my car in their advertisement.”

Skull Shine Sooner Nationals - Tulsa, OK

September 3, 2008 - Rockdale, TX – New Breed Racing’s Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe made the trip to “Tulsa Town” recently to participate in the Skull Shine Sooner Nationals at Tulsa Raceway Park.

The team competed in Quick Rod, with both driver’s winning first round on Saturday, but bowing out in the second round on Sunday.

“All around we had a great weekend of racing. The cars and our driver’s both performed well,” said Duane Gerthe. “Ayrton also made his fastest pass to date, unintentionally. The heat and humidity forced us to make some changes to our normal setup so he was a little fast, but it only took us a couple of qualifying passes to hit 8.90. Ayrton actually hit it perfectly with an 8.900, but was a bit slower at the light than his competitor in round two. Alesi had a stellar .004 light in round one to pick up the win.”

The teams next planned stop was to be the Sportsman National at State Capitol Dragway in Baton Rouge, LA this past weekend, but Hurricane Gustav forced the event to be cancelled for 2008. Our thoughts and prayers are with those dealing with the aftermath of this latest storm.

Pine Valley Raceway

June 23, 2008 - Rockdale, TX – New Breed Racing’s Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe attended the fourth stop of the IHRA Pro-Am at Pine Valley Raceway near Lufkin, TX on June 20-22, 2008. The team competed in Quick Rod and was very pleased with the outcome of their efforts for the weekend. “Both cars went rounds each day and we had our strongest weekend as a team this year,” said Lisa Gerthe. “Alesi went out in round two on Saturday and on Sunday went down to the final ten cars. Ayrton went down to ten cars on Saturday and went out in round two on Sunday. Their dedication and commitment in reaching their goal of going rounds for the weekend should definitely move them up in the points. We are very proud of their performance.”

A busy month of May...

June 4, 2008 - The month of May was a busy one with end of school year activities. Many banquets were attended including the National Honor Society banquet which included the induction of Alesi and Ayrton. Alesi also attended the Rockdale High School Awards Ceremony and received numerous awards including a Bartlett Electric Scholarship, the English IV and Economics Award, and a plaque for all A's for the 2007-08 school year. The month ended with Alesi graduating with honors from Rockdale High School.

State Capitol Raceway - Baton Rouge, LA

May 2-4, 2008 - New Breed Racing attended the third stop of the IHRA Pro-Am Tour when it made its way to Cajun Country. A full weekend of racing was enjoyed as well as a "Racer Appreciation Dinner" provided by the track which included the cooking of 2,500 lbs of crawfish along with potatoes and corn on the cob. Several of our racing friends brought home Ironmans including Philip Pennington and Dylan Lee.