NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

It’s entirely possible that two-time Pro Stock champion Erica Enders might not be the only member of the Enders family to race in the NHRA Mello Yello series in the near future. On Monday following the recent NHRA Toyota Nationals in Las Vegas, Erica’s younger sister, Courtney, took her first steps towards a pro license when she climbed on one of Jerry Savoie’s Suzuki Pro Stock Motorcycle for a few introductory burnouts.

“I have had an unexplainable obsession with Pro Stock Motorcycles since I first saw Angelle [Sampey] ride in Houston as a kid,” said Enders-Lambert, who began racing in Jr. Dragsters and has also competed in Super Stock. “I always wanted to do some burnouts on a bike and maybe license as a bucket list type deal, but with pretty much no bike experience, as we always raced dragsters and cars, it never seemed like a reasonable goal.

“I ran into Jerry Savoie and his crew chief, Tim Kulungian at a restaurant and they offered to ‘no pressure’ have a fun day of some balance training and burnouts. If we progressed well, we would continue and maybe go on with the licensing process.”

Enders-Lambert currently runs a social media business and enlists several NHRA Pros as clients including Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Joey Gladstone. Her introduction to two-wheel racing began with a lesson in proper riding techniques. Wearing Savoie’s leathers and helmet, she was later able to do a couple of burnouts under the watchful eye of Savoie, Kulungian, Fred Camarena, Matt and Angie Smith, veteran PSM crew chief Gary Tonglet, her sister, Erica, Elite team owner Richard Freeman, and fellow racers Alex Laughlin and Gladstone.

“Although it wasn’t 200mph, it was great to get a feel for how the body has to move to handle the bike,” Enders-Lambert said. “As an athlete and former gymnast, this was my favorite part. It’s incredible to activate certain muscles and rock center of gravity to turn rather than steering with your hands. The burnouts were absolutely wild. It’s something I’ve dreamed about my whole life.”

While she plans to eventually complete the process to earn her NHRA competition credentials, Enders-Lambert does not yet have a plan to join her sister as a competitor on the NHRA tour, although she would not be opposed to it.

“I look forward to the next steps of licensing, but we aren’t looking any further than that,” Enders-Lambert said. “It’s funny how you do a burnout, and everyone wants to know what the 2019 plan is, but I’m taking this one day at a time. I’m super thankful for the opportunity and cannot wait for more.”