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| Disney Channel to premiere original movie based on the lives of NHRA Jr. Drag Racers | GLENDORA, Calif. (March 17, 2003) - The Disney Channel will premiere "Right On Track," a Disney Channel Original Movie, based on NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League champion Erica Enders and her sister Courtney on March 21 at 8 p.m. (ET/PT).
Beverley Mitchell ("7th Heaven") stars as Erica Enders, Brie Larson ("Raising Dad") as Courtney, Jon Robert Lindstrom ("Port Charles") as the girls' father Gregg Enders and Marcus Toji (Disney Channel's "Movie Surfers") plays the role as crew chief, Randy Jones.
"Right On Track" follows the drag racing lives of the Houston-based Enders sisters from their humble beginnings to the NHRA championship limelight. The original movie focuses on the determination both Enders sisters possessed to win and their special relationship with their father and his love for drag racing. The movie follows Erica Enders as she breaks into the world of NHRA Jr. Drag Racing at the age of eight followed by her younger sister, Courtney. Both sisters face fierce competition on and off the drag strip from competitors that do not take kindly to losing to girls.
Filmed in Salt Lake City, "Right On Track" was written by Sally Nemeth and Bruce Graham. Gregg Enders served as the technical adviser and Erica and Courtney Enders handled the race track driving scenes in the movie. "Right on Track" was produced by Just Singer Entertainment and Salty Pictures, Inc., in association with Disney Channel.
Disney Channel is the first general entertainment television network designed for kids and families. Currently available in more than 80 million homes, Disney Channel is a division of ABC Cable Networks Group, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company.
Founded in 1992, the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League boasts approximately 4,200 members and over 25 percent of all participants are female. The NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League provides youths ages 8 to 17 with the opportunity to compete in half-scale dragsters powered by five-horsepower engines. NHRA Jr. drag racers learn lessons on safety and proper driving techniques that are not only applied to the race track but to the driving experience on the streets.
"Right on Track" will be televised on the Disney Channel on the following days at 8 p.m. (ET/PT):
March 21 (premiere)
March 22
March 23
March 25
March 31
April 9
April 17
Jr. Drag Racing League fast facts
* Jr. Dragsters are half-scale dragsters powered by five-horsepower engines that produce speeds up to 85 mph.
* The NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League (JDRL) competes on an eighth-mile distance. NHRA national events are contested over a quarter-mile.
* Founded in 1992, the JDRL has approximately 4,200 members.
* Anyone can join the JDRL, but kids must be 8-17 years old to compete as drivers.
* Drivers age 8-9 may run as quick as 12.90 seconds (about 45 mph) on the eighth-mile while 10 year-olds may go 8.90 seconds at 70 mph. Drivers 13-17 may run as quick as 7.90 seconds at 85 mph if they, and their cars, meet specifications.
* A basic Jr. Dragster costs about $3,000. The helmet, clothing and other equipment are additional.
* JDRL competitors must wear a helmet, neck collar, safety jacket and safety gloves as well as long pants, shoes and socks.
* The 2002 JDRL season will culminate in the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Eastern and Western Conference Finals; nearly $100,000 in savings bonds will be given away at each.
* Competitors at the JDRL Eastern and Western Conference Finals are split into eight age categories; 8-9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16-17.
* About 25% of JDRL members are female.
* The average age of a Jr. racer is 12 years old.
* 94% of all NHRA member tracks participate in the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League.
* The states with the most competitors are California, Texas and Florida.
* Three out of NHRA's seven geographic divisions run JDRL series. The South Central division has a six race series; the Northwest division has an 11 race series; and the Pacific division has an eight race series.
* The JDRL is one of two National Hot Rod Association youth programs. Youth & Education Services is the other program.
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