FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rich Halleen takes 32 car TNT Super Series field on Friday; Mother Nature wins Saturday
Saturday's $1000/win event may be re-scheduled - Details to be posted shortly
LANCASTER, NEW YORK (September 10, 2012) It was Niagara Falls, New York's Rich Halleen in the winner's circle last Friday night as the Joe's Transmission TNT Super Series kicked off its final double header weekend at Dunn Tire Raceway Park.
Skies were overcast and rain was a constant threat but that didn't stop thirty-two of the best sportsman racers in the northeast from descending on the 1/8th mile facility for the TNTSS event presented by The Sister Act Band.
Rich, who qualified tenth with a 7.011, faced TNTSS newcomer Gary Carlson in round one. Rich was .020 better on the tree and took .007 stripe running 7.017 to Gary's 7.030.
In round two, he got the better of Kevin Orr on the tree by a mere .011 and took the round win with a 7.015.
Gary Stowell was up next and had Rich on the tree (.513 to .517) but Rich ran a near perfect 7.005 to a 7.017 and took the win by a .008 margin at the stripe.
Semi-final action saw Rich defeat Jason Vitez. Both drivers were late on the tree but Rich ran a 7.006 to Jason's too fast 6.996.
In the money round, Rich faced TNTSS newcomer Kirk Wilde. Almost even off the line, Rich's .523 gave him a slight lead to Kirk's .533. At the other end, Kirk broke out trying to catch the bright yellow 1972 Maverick and ran too fast 6.988 to Rich's 7.009.
"This is awesome!" said Rich after the final. "This series is terrific! I want to thank my family for being here - my wife Vanessa and my kids, Tyler, Jacob and Emma. Also have to thank my dad (Ron) and my mom (Jane) for their continued support."
His father, Ron Halleen, is celebrating 50 years of local drag racing. “It’s an honor to continue the family racing tradition and have dad watching all three of my kids in the junior dragster class,” Rich added.
Rich was quick to thank Ken Jozwiak along with Tom and Paul Young for all their help on the car. "Hats off to Ted Barnes and the whole TNT Super Series group. This is a great series. And also to Joe's Transmission for making it all happen."
Sponsors on the Maverick include Halleens Automotive, Rhino Linings of Niagara, Battery Warehouse, JJ Motors and Gray's Furnace.
Drag racing since 1995, Rich has been running the Maverick for four years. It's powered by a 514 Ford with a Powerglide and is capable of runs in the 5.90 range in the 1/8th and 9.40's in the 1/4 mile.
As for the second event of the weekend, Saturday morning saw torrential rain and thunderstorms so Empire's race was cancelled and may be re-scheduled. Visit www.tntsuperseries.com for more information.
Specialty Awards
2012 Joe's Transmission TNTSS Points Standings (TOP 10) - After 12 of 13 - Adjusted for waivers
| 1 | Jon | Jablonski | 731 |
| 2 | Harry | Phelps | 655 |
| 3 | Peter Chris |
VanBaalen VanBaalen |
648 |
| 4 | Tom | Coonly | 643 |
| 5 | Roy | Lister | 617 |
| 6 | Ted | Barnes | 601 |
| 7 | Jim Ryan |
Thomson Boniferro |
587 |
| 8 | Paul | Young | 579 |
| 9 | David | Surmatchewski | 566 |
| 10 | Steve | McCarrick | 559 |
About the Joe's Transmission TNT Super Series (TNTSS):
Since it began in 2006, the TNT Super Series has grown into one of the strongest, most competitive sportsman drag racing series in North America and has catapulted many competitors to success on the national and divisional stages.
The TNTSS is a self-governing organization with input from its teams. Based on NHRA’s Super Street & IHRA’s Hot Rod classes, competitors run on a 10.90 index in the 1/4 mile (7.00 in the 1/8 mile) and race for a guaranteed purse that pays back more than 100% of the racer's entry fees. The yearend points fund pays the top five finishers and the Series Champion receives a prize package worth over $3500.00.
The TNTSS is committed to providing the highest level of competition backed by solid media support to showcase its participants across North America. Events are contested at various drag racing facilities in southern Ontario and western New York and put on a spectacular show for the drag racing fan.
About Joe's Transmission
Joe Boniferro has owned and operated Joe's Transmission Service in Niagara Falls, Ontario since 1984. From the original single bay location, the business has progressed to a six bay, five employee automotive complex on Arthur Street. The two storey building houses Joe's Transmission (Commercial, Fleet and Performance Divisions) and Al's Radiator Service. They sell and install aftermarket high performance parts and accessories. As a Firestone Dealer they sell and install drag racing tires. Their specialty is building and repairing high performance transmissions. Contact Joe and his team at (905) 374-6116 or visit them online at www.joestransmission.com .
Photo credit: Ron Rigby and Ted Barnes
For more information please contact:
Lewis Robinson
TNTSS - Media Relations
To unsubscribe to this mailing list, reply with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.