John Trescott is Grand in the 2006 Top 16 Invitational

Once again some of our Top 16 qualifiers could not make today's event. Fifth qualified driver Bob Sebrowski, winner of the 2003 Top 16 could not make it due to a business trip. Number 13 qualified driver Dan Swadis Jr. could not make it due to a broken rear suffered a couple of races ago that has not been repaired. Number 15 qualified driver Louis Calicchia could not make it due to a family event he could not miss, I hope she did Louis. The biggest surprise missing driver was number 2 qualified Ralph Savarese, (2004 Top 16 winner). Ralph Savarese was completing that last phase of the replacement of his rear end by securing the exhaust in place. Just when Ralph thought he was almost done. The exhaust slipped off the jack and pinned his left hand against the jack and exhaust. This does not sound so bad but the Ralph almost lost his left pinky finger and he also fractured his hand. Ralph was instructed by the surgeon that he was not allowed to race. Alternates filled the field and for the first time ever, we had to have a runoff for position. John Panuzzo and Joe Signore finished with the exact same points, no event wins and the same tiebreaker points. Panuzzo won the tie breaker to place in the 15th position and Signore took the 16th spot. Until Savarese broke his hand, this was to be a "play-in" match like the NCAA basketball tournament but it did not happen.

Runner-up John Panuzzo	Winner John Trescott, Edgar Perez and Runner-up John Panuzzo	Winner John Trescott

Top 16 Ladder

Round 1

John Panuzzo (15) vs. Dave Tortolani (2)
This has had more than it's share of matches with Tortolani getting the better of Panuzzo on a regular basis. JPee how ever is a money racer and put on his best racing face and was ready to race. Panuzzo dialed his newly detuned 1996 Corvette at 12.90 while Tortolani, dialed his 1999 Corvette at 11.55. Panuzzo was off with a.008 reaction time. Tortolani followed and was at .146. That left a lot of room for JPee to gather up his car and slow it to a 12.967 @ 99.24 to defeat Tortolani’s 11.594 @ 117.61

Eric Fischer (5) vs. Bob Trieschmann (12)
This match was green. Not because these guys are new to this but because Eric's Green 1998 C5 would face the Polo Green C4 Convertible driven by 2001 Champion, Bob Trieschmann. Bob would leave first dialed 13.86 and with a .056 light which was good for a near nine-tenths lead over Eric's 11.83 dialed C5. This one was close at the top and Trieschmann would have to battle Eric’s' dead on 11.833 run @ 113.65. He crossed first but Eric's win light came one. Trieschmann had gone too quick and broke out. How quick? He lost it by going under by .003!

Neil Vernarelli (13) vs. Ron Higgins (4)
We just cannot get enough of the Vernarelli '57 Corvette, a staple at Raceway Park thought the driver is now the younger Neil. He would paired with Ron Higgins in the '96 Anniversary with the automatic transmission. Vernarelli would leave first with a 13.18 dial and .053 reaction time. Higgins would follow with 11.98 dial but he lit the red light. Higgins was minus point very early at -.169. Vernarelli completed the pass at 13.241 @ 104.23.

Jim Kovitch (6) vs. Jim Peins (11)
This pair was close in dial-ins with Peins placing his 1992 Corvette in with a 13.85 dial to Kovitch 1988 Anniversary Corvette at 13.56. Just as Kovitch's lights started, he got the win when Peins left early with a -.052 red light. Kovitch finished the run going dead-on with a 6 with a 13.566 @ 101.33.

John Trescott (8) vs. Kimberly Rudolf (9)
Close in points but in the race. Rookie driver, experienced bedazzler Kimberly Rudolf could not work her magic. Maybe Kimberly got a little too involved this week in some friendly "trash talk" with champ Rob Farley. Kim was dialed 13.90 and was out first with a light I would bet she would rather not be published. Trescott was off behind her on the chase with a .046 reaction time on 11.70 dial. He caught her and laid on the brakes and took the win stripe with an 11.878 @ 92.83 mph.

Ralph Blauvelt (14) vs. Don Peppler Jr. (3)
Looking at points rankings you might think this one was an upset. That would be wrong because although they are ranked fare apart, anyone of these 16 drivers is capable of taking an event win. Blauvelt would leave first with a 13.75 dial and stellar, round best .007 reaction time. Peppler was off next with 13.30 dial and .082 reaction time. The deficit at the bottom end was too much and Peppler broke out while trying to catch Blauvelt who won the race with a 13.784 @ 99.18

Devon Bold (7) vs. Jerry Muniz (10)
Muniz got off to a great start in 2006 and struggled to find consistency the remainder of the year but he still made the show. he would chase our Rookie of the Year, Bole, who was dialed 13.40. Devon survived a .06 reaction time disadvantage to get the win. Muniz cut the better reaction time but could not run the number running 12.379 @ 115.13 on 11.83 dial. Jerry went on the redeem himself by going 3 for 3 in the Trophy Marathon and then taking the runner-up spot in the King of the Hill match.

Round 2

John Trescott (8) vs. Rob Farley (1)
Trescott continued his journey to the win by taking out our 2006 Champions Rob Farley. Farley was out first with 13.66 dial and .65 reaction time. Trescott dialed 11.68 and was better on the tree with .039 RT. Farley would struggle to stay ahead of Trescott and in the very tight double breakout it was Trescott getting the win light. Farley had gone under by over a tenth, 13.548 @ 100.14 mph and Trescott was closer going .025 under with an 11.655 @ 118.33.

Eric Fischer (5) vs. Neil Vernarelli (13)
Vernarelli would leave first on 13.20 dial and .110 reaction time. Fischer would follow with nearly identical light, .111 and 11.83. Vernarelli is one of the gear bangers and was bit by the gear banging when he could not run his dial going 13.363 @ 104.49. Fischer was off his dial as well running 11.935. Doing the math, that is a five hundredths win.

John Panuzzo (15) vs. Devon Bole (7)
Panuzzo followed his .008 first round reaction time with a round best .010 reaction time. He would chase Devon with Devon dialed 13.52 to his 12.91. Devon was late and no match for the .010 RT and Panuzzo would advance with a 12.969 @ 102.12.

Ralph Blauvelt (14) vs. Jim Kovitch (6)
Blauvelt’s .007 first round reaction time was super. His second round reaction time was super late. He must have been distracted as he would out of the hole .171 but whatever distracted him must have distracted Kovitch as he was even later. The RT advantage was enough tot carry Blauvelt to the win with a 13.860 on 13.85 dial defeating Kovitch, who is from Blauvelt, NY, who broke out running 13.518 on 13.55 dial.

Round 3

John Panuzzo (15) vs. Ralph Blauvelt (14)
Panuzzo continued his tear on the tree. He was .028 this time. Blauvelt, trying not to repeat the last round's late light went red. He was -.040 giving Panuzzo the ride to the final. Panuzzo ran it out going 12.878 on 12.90 dial

John Trescott (8) vs. Eric Fischer (5)
Another close pair in dial-in times. Fischer would leave first dialed 11.84 and Trescott would follow with 11.66 dial. Fischer would take the lead with a .051 reaction time to .115 for Trescott. Fischer kept it in front and took the stripe though it was too quick. He was under by only .019 but it was enough to give the win light to Trescott who was 11.674 @ 113.37 on the 11.66 dial.

Round 4 - The Final

John Trescott (8) vs. John Panuzzo (15)
It was now easy to predict who was going to win. My bet was it was John with the Torch Red Corvette. That is because they are each named John and each driver a Torch Red Corvette. So all kidding aside, let's get to the race. Panuzzo, dialed 12.87 was planning on running this one out. Trescott, kept his 11.66 dial on the car. Panuzzo's lights were stellar in the prior rounds staging the car deep would cut his worst light of the race with a .081. It was good enough for a one-thou advantage to Trescott's .082. This one would be won at the top end. Both drivers one the brakes at the finish and Panuzzo would give up the stripe. He finished the run 12.940 @ 105.03 while Trescott handled the stripe better running 11.691 @ 107.73. Trescott had taken the win by .038.

Congratulations to all of the Drivers

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Corvette Challenge Multimedia Pictures Corvette Pictures by Mike Roberts coming soon Corvette Pictures by Chris Young Videos November 18 2006 East Coast Supercharging Top 16 Race won by John Trescott and The Vette Doctors Pro 8 Shootout won by Tommy Michalkowski Corvette Challenge 1.72 MB Top 16 Time Trial Bob Trieschmann (2004 Lemans Blue Coupe) vs.Rob Farley (1998 Radar Blue Indy Pace Car) 1.74 MB Top 16 Time Trial David Tortolani (1999 Nassau Blue Coupe) vs.John Trescott (2004 Torch Red Coupe) 1.75 MB Top 16 Time Trial Neil Vernarelli (1957 Onyx Black Coupe) vs.James Peins (1992 Black Coupe) 2.32 MB Top 16 Time Trial Ronald Higgins (1996 Sebring Silver Coupe) vs.James Kovitch (1988 White Coupe) 1.84 MB Top 16 Time Trial Eric Fischer (1998 Fairway Green Coupe) vs.Devon Bole (1993 Dark Red Coupe) 1.73 MB Top 16 Time Trial Kimberly Rudolf (1993 Bright Aqua Convertible) vs.Donald Peppler Jr (1967 Blue Coupe) 2.03 MB Top 16 Time Trial Ralph Blauvelt (1988 Black Coupe) vs.Jerry Muniz (2005 Black Coupe) 0.74 MB Top 16 Runoff John Panuzzo (1996 Torch Red Coupe) vs.Joe Signore (1998 Torch Red Convertible) Panuzzo and Signore get ready 1.55 MB Top 16 Runoff John Panuzzo (1996 Torch Red Coupe) vs.Joe Signore (1998 Torch Red Convertible) Hope that leaf does not hurt ya Jpee 1.00 MB Top 16 Runoff John Panuzzo (1996 Torch Red Coupe) vs.Joe Signore (1998 Torch Red Convertible) Panuzzo Corvette burnout 2.03 MB Top 16 Runoff John Panuzzo (1996 Torch Red Coupe) vs.Joe Signore (1998 Torch Red Convertible) Panuzzo wins the 15th spot 1.75 MB Top 16 Rd1 Eric Fischer (1998 Fairway Green Coupe) vs.Bob Trieschmann (2004 Lemans Blue Coupe) 2.07 MB Top 16 Rd1 Neil Vernarelli (1957 Onyx Black Coupe) vs.Ronald Higgins (1996 Sebring Silver Coupe) 2.71 MB Top 16 Rd1 James Kovitch (1988 White Coupe) vs.James Peins (1992 Black Coupe) 2.52 MB Top 16 Rd1 John Trescott (2004 Torch Red Coupe) vs.Kimberly Rudolf (1993 Bright Aqua Convertible) 1.46 MB Top 16 Rd1 Ralph Blauvelt (1988 Black Coupe) vs.Donald Peppler Jr (1967 Blue Coupe) 1.88 MB Top 16 Rd1 Devon Bole (1993 Dark Red Coupe) vs.Jerry Muniz (2005 Black Coupe) 1.78 MB Top 16 Rd2 John Trescott (2004 Torch Red Coupe) vs.Rob Farley (1998 Radar Blue Indy Pace Car) Corvette burnouts 2.24 MB Top 16 Rd2 John Trescott (2004 Torch Red Coupe) vs.Rob Farley (1998 Radar Blue Indy Pace Car) 2.04 MB Top 16 Rd2 Eric Fischer (1998 Fairway Green Coupe) vs.Neil Vernarelli (1957 Onyx Black Coupe) 2.13 MB Top 16 Rd2 John Panuzzo (1996 Torch Red Coupe) vs.Devon Bole (1993 Dark Red Coupe) 2.41 MB Top 16 Rd2 Ralph Blauvelt (1988 Black Coupe) vs.James Kovitch (1988 White Coupe) 1.04 MB Top 16 Final John Panuzzo (1996 Torch Red Coupe) vs.John Trescott (2004 Torch Red Coupe) Trescott wishes Panuzzo luck 1.65 MB Top 16 Final John Panuzzo (1996 Torch Red Coupe) vs.John Trescott (2004 Torch Red Coupe) Crowd awaits the final 0.87 MB Top 16 Final John Panuzzo (1996 Torch Red Coupe) vs.John Trescott (2004 Torch Red Coupe) Drivers focus under the tower 3.23 MB Top 16 Final John Panuzzo (1996 Torch Red Coupe) vs.John Trescott (2004 Torch Red Coupe) Trescott wins the Top 16 Invitational and the Money 1.11 MB Top 16 Final John Panuzzo (1996 Torch Red Coupe) vs.John Trescott (2004 Torch Red Coupe) Trescott returns and is congratulated 2.61 MB Top 16 - Other Jerry Muniz (2005 Black Coupe) vs.Boogieman goes to the final in the King of the Hill Pro 8 Shootout 0.82 MB P8 Time Trials Bill Maloney (1997 Black Coupe) vs.Angelo Valla (1972 Targa Blue Coupe) Maloney turbo Corvette Burnout 1.86 MB P8 Time Trials Bill Maloney (1997 Black Coupe) vs.Angelo Valla (1972 Targa Blue Coupe) Valla makes 1st 7-second pass at 7.931 @ 177.46 and Maloney makes a test pass 2.98 MB P8 Rd1 Tommy Michalkowski (1997 Sebring Silver Coupe) vs.Angelo Valla (1972 Targa Blue Coupe) Tommy maneuvers away from Valla just before Valla crashes into the wall 2.10 MB P8 Rd1 - Paul Major (2001 Quicksilver Z06) Major goes 7.622 @ 186.95 2.72 MB P8 Rd1 - Bill Maloney (1997 Black Coupe) Maloney breaks Corvette IRS record going 8.60 @ 163.95 with single turbo on test pass 0.68 MB P8 Final Tommy Michalkowski (1997 Sebring Silver Coupe) vs.Paul Major (2001 Quicksilver Z06) Major snaps the rear in the burnout 3.63 MB P8 Final Tommy Michalkowski (1997 Sebring Silver Coupe) vs.Paul Major (2001 Quicksilver Z06) Tommy takes the Pro 8 Shootout win on the single and gets it loose as Major is pushed back Visit www.challengevideos.com for more videos of the Corvette Challenge

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modified: November 19, 2006 - 11:30 am