TNT Super Series 10082008

Sponsored by

Home

News

Schedule

Vitez, Young, Kerl – All dynamite in TNT Super Series Triple Header weekend!

Bill Elekes takes over points lead with one event left in 2008

CANFIELD, ONTARIO (October 8, 2008) Some of the closest finishes and competitive packages were found this past weekend as competitors in the Joe’s Transmission TNT Super Series completed a drag racing triathlon of sorts. The ultra-competitive sportsman series centred in the Western New York/Southern Ontario area capped off an incredible weekend at two different race facilities.

The first of three races was Friday Oct 3rd at Dunn Tire Raceway Park in Lancaster NY. The event, presented by Boniferro Speed & Custom, drew 23 of the toughest Hot Rod racers around - all vying for the lucrative TNT winner’s circle. With density altitude around 800’ during qualifying, Brad Perkins earned the Hoosier Tire Canada $50 certificate for #1 qualifier with a 7.001 – the best of six 7.00 runs after only two qualifying sessions. Marching through the field and meeting in the final were Jason Vitez from Elma NY and David Surmatchewski from Oakland ON. Now the density altitude had dropped to 300’ and Jason took the win - and the $517 - driving Joe Passero’s 1968 Camaro with a .523 reaction, running 7.030 @ 101mph to Dave’s .580 light and 7.010 @ 99mph.

Jason was quick to point out that this was his first win with his son & crew chief Zachary at the track along with his wife Kimberly and their daughter Brooklyn. It’s also Jason’s first win in the extremely competitive TNT Series – (At the time of writing this, Zach was not feeling too well. Hope you get better soon kid – looks like you bring good luck!) Jason also wanted to thank Joe & Moe Passero for the opportunity to drive their car…along with Steve Sell and Jon Jablonski for their support. Sponsors on the Vitez/Passero ride include Rosehill Auction House, Phil’s Quality Auto Service, Competition Transmission and Putman Racing Engines.

Next up - Saturday Oct 4th at Toronto Motorsports Park (TMP) and the air was just as good with density altitude between 800-1000’ all day. 21 racers arrived to contend for the TNT two-race event presented by Bieda’s Powersports. In RACE #1, Larry Pulver from Palmyra NY qualified atop the field with a solid 10.901. With air temperatures not rising above 60 degrees all day and the sun pretty much absent, keeping heat in the track was a challenge. Halfway through round 2, the decision was made to complete the event on 1/8th mile (7.00 index). So everyone got a time shot and round 2 was re-run. Very consistent reaction times all day (.020-.033) took Paul Young from Alden NY to victory in the final with a .020 light running 7.011 @ 112mph over Fred Gross from Milton ON who was .002 on the tree but broke a rocker stud and couldn’t run the number at 9.74 @ 47 mph.

In the TMP Winner’s Circle, Tom Young said, “We got lucky in 3rd round. The car got loose on Paul and he had to lift – only able to run an 8.22 – but luckily, Bill Elekes red lit in the other lane!” An Ironman winner a few years ago at TMP in TOP ET class, this is Paul’s first season in Hot Rod competition. “We also want to thank Joe Boniferro for sponsoring the TNT Series and all of our fellow racers. You meet a lot of good people and make many friends in this sport,” commented Paul. The 3rd year with the car, Tom & Paul’s bright red, full tube chassis 1966 Ford Fairlane is capable of 8.90’s in the ¼ mile and runs as good as it looks. They wanted to thank Ken Jozwiak for helping with the setup for throttle stop racing. Sponsors on the low-slung Ford include Old Dutchman Rod Iron, Grand Rental Station, Clarence NAPA and Drogi & Sons Automotive.

RACE #2 that same day saw Dave Surmatchewski atop the qualifying sheet with a 7.001 shot down the 1/8 mile. Dave, battling for the championship, coveted the most qualifying points available. Very strong on the tree all day was Gary Kerl from Williamsville NY. From his perfect .000 light in round 1 all the way to the final, Gary’s worst light all day was an .027. Joe Passero from Stevensville ON was equally strong that day. Taking out points leader Ted Barnes in round one, Joe opened the door for big changes in the points standings. In the final, it was Gary taking the win on a holeshot and by a margin of only .010. Gary’s almost perfect .002 light and 7.031 @ 95mph was enough to take out Joe’s hard-charging Stratus – Joe was .028 on the tree and ran 7.015 at 118mph.

Fairly new to the Hot Rod class, Gary received a lot of appreciated help and advice from other racers, notably Wayne Sipos and Jeff Gregoire. He especially thanks his wife Carolyn for her support and his son Jeff who has been with him at almost every race and helping all along. “As those who competed against Jeff know, he is probably a much better racer than I,” commented Gary. His major sponsor, Greg Kerl Automotive, is owned and operated by son Greg, who many know from previous years of racing. “Greg has provided much needed expert advice and much of the consistency my car demonstrates can be attributed to both Greg and Jeff,” added Gary. “I also feel very fortunate to have won among such great racers and I have to admit, it feels good to win the highest paying TNT race in 2008!” Race #2 paid $1000 to win.

The Trailer Shop’s “Long haul draw for $100 gas money” went to Joe Passero.

The final event in the Joe’s Transmission TNT Super Series for 2008 is set for Sunday Oct 19th at TMP. TNT Hot Rod racers will join the Can Am Stock/Super Stock Series as they run their final event for the 2008 season.

For all the info, check out www.tntsuperseries.com or email info@tntsuperseries.com .

Current Top Ten in TNT Points Standings