Nov 17 2007 - Press Release

Joe Urbino takes the Joe’s Transmission TNT Super Series Championship for 2007!

The inaugural year is in the books and what a huge success it was!  The Joe’s Transmission TNT Super Series saw intense competition this year.  With car counts as high as 26, even qualifying in the top 16 became a challenge.  After 6 races and the dust settled, Joe Urbino from Alden, NY was the last man standing.

Joe was crowned 2007 Champion on Saturday November 17th at the awards night at Mick & Angelo’s in Niagara Falls – (Check out the pictures in the gallery section of the website).  He was able to take the top spot by winning 2 of the 6 events in 2007.  “I couldn’t believe at the Aug 26th race when the car ran a 7.001 in the first qualifying session and then bettered it with a 7.000 in the 2nd session!” said Joe.  That’s the level of competition the TNT series saw throughout 2007.  And it was that type of performance that earned Joe the championship.  Series sponsor, Joe Boniferro said “The 2007 season was a huge success.  Being the first year, we’re extremely pleased with the growth and support of the series.”

Out of the 44 racers registered in the series this year, here’s how the top 10 ended up:

1st place  –  Joe Urbino

2nd place –  Ted Barnes

3rd Place –  Jamie Stoneman

4th place  –  Ray Martino

5th place  –  Tony “The Shoe” Platania

6th place  –  Harry Phelps, Gary Kerl, Bill Elekes & Ross Booker

10th place –  Marc Caruso & Marco Weller

Each of the top 5 received a plaque and a very nice leather jacket embroidered with the Joe’s Transmission TNT Super Series logo.  In addition to the jackets, each TNT racer registered in 2007 and in attendance that night was given 2 or 3 shots at the prize table.  Everything from a B&M shifter to an Autometer tach to Taylor wires to die cast cars to a $100 Hoosier tire certificate. It’s safe to say they each walked out with $250-300 worth of goodies!  The prize table was made possible by Boniferro Speed & Custom, Performance Improvements, Hoosier Tire Canada, KC Auto, The Balancing Act, Forbes Bros Chevrolet, Tri Line Auto, RPM Magazine and Russ/Arlene Parker.

Looking ahead to 2008, TNT Series Director Ted Barnes says a year-end points fund and guaranteed payouts at each race are on his list of goals.  “We’ve already been approached by several interested sponsors for individual races and we’ve been speaking with the folks at Lancaster, Toronto and other tracks in the area.  It looks good for 6 or 7 events in 2008!  I’d suggest you keep an eye on our website and look for the first event early in May of 2008” said Ted.

One thing that is already confirmed are changes to the points system.  In 2008, the TNT points chase will mirror IHRA’s Pro Am points system but will add qualifying points to it.  “A large number of TNT racers compete on the IHRA circuit and are familiar with that system – So it makes sense to use it” added Ted.  “Stay tuned for details!”

Oct 13 - Press Release

by Dave Surmatchewski

TNT and Deuces were Wild at Lancaster on Oct 13 – Ted Barnes had a Royal Flush!

When the Joe’s Transmission TNT Super Series rolled into Lancaster Dragway on Oct 13 for the final event of the year, Ted Barnes had no idea what was about to happen.  There was also a ‘Deuces are Wild Box/No-Box Shootout’ that same day.  The temperature was a sharp 50°f and the density altitude never really made it over 1000’.  Combine that with a brisk cross wind and you have excellent conditions for running in 2 classes.

Harry Phelps from Newark, NY was the first to take advantage of things in TNT Hot Rod - scooping the #1 qualifying position and the $50 Hoosier Canada certificate with his near perfect 7.001.  Qualifying 5th, Ted decided to run both TNT Hot Rod and Box ET classes.  In Hot Rod, he had to deal with strong competition from the likes of Jamie Stoneman, Dave Surmatchewski and Gary Kerl.  In the final, he met up with Ross Booker from Binbrook, Ont.  Almost dead even off the line (Ross’s .510 to Ted’s .512), Ted took the win running 7.013 to Ross’s 7.051.

At the same time, Ted was making his way to the Box ET final.  There he met up with Joe Passero and won with a 7.06 on a 7.00 dial to Joe’s 5.32 on a 5.24 dial.  The icing on the cake was his final win of the day in the ‘King of the Hill’ race between Box and No-Box!  Ted & Bill made a massive 12 runs in eliminations that afternoon in the span of only 3 hours. “We were going down the track about every 15 minutes,” said Ted. “The car was deadly consistent all day.  We had luck on our side too.  When I missed the tree in 2nd round of Hot Rod, the car pulled me through running dead-on with a 5!”

Crew chief Bill did the most work that day.  “My job is to keep Ted focused.  I clap my hands at the starting line telling him I like what I see,” said Bill.

Ted would like to thank Performance Improvements, Top Quality Transmission, F&M Signs, Steel City Spring and Skyway Golf Carts for all their support.  “I also want to thank Joe Bonifero from Joe’s Transmission in Niagara Falls, Ontario.  Without Joe’s help, this series wouldn’t have been as successful as it was.  But most of all, I want to thank my Dad.  He’s there at every single race and gives 110%.  I couldn’t do this without his support.”

Both Jamie Stoneman and Ray Martino also had good days.  They both improved their points position, finishing 3rd and 4th respectively – passing Tony Platania along the way.  Tony came into the day 2nd in points with hopes of catching and passing points leader Joe Urbino – who couldn’t make this race.  Tony ended up finishing in 5th place – just enough to qualify for the prestigious year-end TNT awards.  The top 5 competitors will receive embroidered jackets and plaques at the awards dinner – to be held Saturday November 17 at 7:00pm at Mick & Angelo’s Eatery & Bar in Niagara Falls, Ontario (see our website for more details).  All TNT racers at the dinner will be eligible for some cool prizes as well.

Aug 26 - Press Release

Joe Urbino turns rainy day into pay day at Lancaster’s TNT event!

On the weekend of Aug 26th, Joe Urbino from Alden, NY had been at the IHRA national event in Milan, MI.  When rain turned that event into a washout, Joe loaded up the family and set sail to Lancaster for the TNT Hot Rod race.  Twenty-five of the best 10.90 racers in the Joe’s Transmission TNT Hot Rod Super Series cars also took to the track.

When he got there, he made it look easy - blasting a 7.001 in the first qualifying session.  AND THEN, just to ensure he walked away with the Hoosier Tire Canada #1 qualifier bonus points, he topped that with a perfect 7.000 in the second session!

This was one of the toughest fields of TNT cars yet.  The top 12 qualifiers were 7.02 or better.  In fact, six of them were 7.00!  After chiseling through the field, Joe was set to face Tony Platania in the final, an always tough competitor from Rochester, NY.  Tony had a slight advantage on the tree  (a .522 to Joe’s .527) but Joe drove around him to take the win running 7.016 to Tony’s 7.030. This is Joe’s second win in the TNT Super Series.  “I got breaks when I needed them all day long.  And I hit the brakes where I needed to as well!” said Joe.  For Tony Platania, it’s his first runner-up finish at a TNT race.  He wanted to thank his dad, Richard who is always there helping him out.

Joe gained the most points available at a single TNT race.  This moved him back into 1st place – catapulting him to a huge 10 point lead over Tony Platania, now in 2nd place.  With only one points race left, Joe is going to be tough to catch.  Rounding out the top 5 are Ray Martino in 3rd, Jamie Stoneman in 4th and Ted Barnes/Bill Elekes tied for 5th.

The TNT Super Series next stop is Toronto Motorsports Park on Saturday Sept 1st for a non-points “open” event.  Thanks to Joe’s Transmission and HeadsUpRacer.com, they’ll be looking to take home the guaranteed $600/win! …And to hone their skills in preparation for the IHRA Canadian Nationals the following week.

"Open” event at TMP Sat Sept 1st with guaranteed $500/win!

Joe’s Transmission TNT Hot Rod Super Series has just announced the addition of an “open” event for the 2007 season.  The “open” will be held on Saturday Sept 1st as part of Toronto Motorsports Park’s Labour Day festivities.  This “non-points” event will offer a minimum guaranteed $500 to the winner!  All other rules will apply.  “We know it’s short notice, but we couldn’t pass up the opportunity.  The IHRA National Event is the following weekend – This is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable data!”

TMP’s bracket program is offering a $1000/win for both Top and Mod ET each day as well as an additional $1000 and IHRA Ironman for the King of the Hill runoff on Sunday.  TNT racers are welcome to run both the bracket and ET classes - Throttle stops are allowed in the bracket classes at TMP.

GET THERE EARLY!!!

Aug 12 - Press Release

Toronto Motorsports Park goes from scorcher to soaker with TNT Hot Rod!

Sunday Aug 12th saw the Joe’s Transmission TNT Hot Rod Super Series prepare to battle at Toronto Motorsports Park.  The morning weather was terrific!   Sunny skies and 3000’ density altitude.  After two qualifying sessions, Jamie Stoneman showed why he is the points leader.  A 10.903 in the first session catapulted him to the top of the qualifying chart!  Doug Lynden was strong as well posting a 10.907 for the #2 spot.

Then…the sky opened up and down came the rain.  Resulting in a complete wash out of eliminations.

Since qualifying was complete, Jamie will reap the #1 qualifier benefits - $50 Hoosier Tire Canada certificate and the highly coveted 2 bonus points - moving him out of a tie and into sole possession of first place in the points.  Joe Urbino, Ted Barnes, Ray Martino and Marc Caruso make up the top 5.

There will be no rain date for this event - the 4th in the 6 race series.  HOWEVER – THERE MAY BE AN ADDED EVENT ON LABOUR DAY WEEKEND – STAY TUNED TO www.tntsuperseries.com FOR UPDATES!