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By VAN ROSE vrose@leader.net
Friday, March 14, 2003 Page: 23
Ever since they were kids, Erica Enders and her younger sister, Courtney,
have been living in the fast lane.
Literally.
In doing so, they turned the drag-racing world upside down – much to the
dismay of many of their male rivals.
By age 15, Erica Enders won 37 junior drag-racing titles and became the
youngest national-event finalist in history when she was 16. Courtney Enders
amassed 24 junior drag-racing victories, with seven trips to the national
finals.
Their remarkable story is captured in “Right On Track,” which airs at 8
p.m. March 21 on the Disney Channel and stars “7th Heaven” standout Beverly
Mitchell as Erica and Brie Larson from “Raising Dad” as Courtney.
“Right On Track” follows the racing exploits of the Enders sisters from
their early childhood in Houston until now.
The story centers on Erica, whose obsession with racing began when she was
just 5. Her father, Gregg, is a professional drag racer.
“I grew up at the race track,” said Erica, who began her career at age 9.
“When they came out with the junior racing program, I asked my dad if I could
race. He said, `Sure, it could be better than ballet.’ ”
There was just one drawback. She also had to get her mom’s permission,
which was granted with reluctance. In a poignant scene in the movie, her
father asks her mother if she would object if Erica wanted to take violin
lessons rather than become a racer.
“No one ever got killed playing a violin,” Mom replies.
Erica’s rise to fame in the junior drag-racing ranks didn’t sit well with
her male opponents, especially when she beat them.
“I got a lot of resistance from guys,” Erica said. “Their buddies would
make fun of them because they lost to a girl. They got used to getting beat,
and I got used to being discriminated against.”
Besides several exciting racing scenes, “Right On Track” plays heavily on
the sibling rivalry between Erica and Courtney, who began racing at age 8. One
of the most dramatic scenes depicts their first race against each other.
“We’ve always been rivals,” Erica said. “We’ll race to get the phone.”
Erica served as a consultant on the movie set and was behind the wheel for
all the racing scenes. She said Mitchell did an awesome job of portraying her
in the film.
“We hit it off right away,” Erica said. “We hung out for three weeks in
Utah, and we were inseparable. She’s been down here (Texas) to visit me twice,
and I’ve been over there (L.A.) twice.”
Mitchell, who portrays Lucy Camden on “7th Heaven,” says she was
overwhelmed by Erica’s desire to race.
“I really admire Erica because she’s so passionate about racing,”
Mitchell said. “She’s got her head on straight. She’s so motivated and does
everything in her power to get there.”
Mitchell didn’t know anything about drag racing before accepting the lead
in “Right On Track.”
“I was familiar with Indy-car racing, but drag racing is quite a different
demon,” Mitchell said. “However, once I was around it, I was like a sponge.
I couldn’t get enough of it.”
Mitchell’s biggest thrill was getting to watch Erica in action. “I went to
see her in the nationals, when she reached 192 miles per hour in Super
competition.”
Mitchell said portraying Erica was a complete change from her character in
“7th Heaven.”
“Erica’s so intense, and I wasn’t used to that. Lucy is so floaty, and
she’s really not that passionate.
The best part of it all is the bond she’s formed with Erica, said Mitchell,
22. “We both walked away with such an amazing friendship.”
Erica now attends Texas A&M University and is just two steps from entering
the Top Fuel category, in which Old Forge native Joe Amato won five national
titles. Courtney, 17, is a high school senior and has moved up to the Super
Comp division.
For Erica, the only thing that could possibly beat going 200 mph is the
330-mph speed in Top Fuel racing. She thrives on the breathtaking starts.
“We get more Gs (G-forces) than the launch of a space shuttle,” Erica
said. “It’s just an awesome feeling. I wouldn’t trade it; I love it.
“I just want to go faster. It’s addictive. Once you start, you can’t
stop.”
IF YOU WATCH
WHAT: “Right On Track”
WHEN: 8 p.m. March 21 on the Disney Channel
STARRING: Beverly Mitchell and Brie Larson