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.