englishtown weather N - NON-points and '07 Top 16
T - Includes Pro 10.0
P,E - Includes Pro 8 Shootout and 11.50
16 - Top16 - NON-points
'08 National, VA
Featured Drivers
2008 East Coast Supercharging Corvette Challenge Event 4 Winner Ralph Savarese 2008 American Racing Headers Pro 8 Shootout Race 1 Winner Could be you 2008 Cartek Racing Pro 10.0 Race 2 Winner Wayne Keegan
2008 Vette Doctors Pro 11.50 Race 1 Winner John Panuzzo
10/20/07 - Englishtown, NJ -
The first 11.50 Index was a huge success. We had 21 Corvettes arrive for the class on a sunny fall day. Most of the drivers racing today never raced on a pro tree. The drivers had a lot to talk about before the call was made for the first qualifier. The drivers were sharing racing tips and how they have been waiting for this class for a long time. One driver told me that he drove three and a half hours to race this event and to also show his support hoping that this will be on the schedule for the 2008 season. I would like to thank Edgar Perez and Raceway Park for allowing me the opportunity to organize and to test this new class. In addition, I would like to thank Dennis Kazimir for volunteering to assist me.
For today's Corvette Challenge bracket results click here.
When the announcement came for the drivers to enter the lanes for the first qualifying round, sixteen Corvettes came to the lanes. Five drivers were not able to make the call for the first qualifying round. The first qualifying round had the drivers sitting on the edge of their seat to be cautious to not breakout. After the first round of qualifying we only had one Corvette go under the index. In the staging lanes after the first qualifying pass, All the drivers were sharing there experience of there run.
The second qualifying round had sixteen Corvettes again. This round we had Ron Leader leave and his position to be replaced by Rob Zona. Ron came out to show his support for the series knowing when he arrived he would not be able to stay for the duration. Rob Zona was doing double duty today in the Quick Time Performance Class. Timing was on Rob's side. Rob was able to complete the QTP event and was still able to qualify for the 11.50 Index.
At the completion of the two qualifying rounds Dave Tortolani was our number one qualifier with a 11.546. Great job Dave. Our top speed qualifier was Anthony Cupolo with his 1964 Corvette crossing the beams AT 126.38 MPH. When walking through the lanes before first round, The drivers had only positive feedback on this class and they hope to see it for 2008.
Round one started with Doug Ring driving his friends 2001 ZO6 against Gary Hurta in his C6 ZO6. Both drivers left the line with the better reaction time going to Doug. At the stripe it was Doug crossing first with a 11.915 at 91.09 mph to Gary's 11.740 at 123.32 mph. Next was Rich Shuleski in driving his 1996 Grand Sport against Sloan Dennislogh (Dennis) in his beautiful blue C6. Dennis gave it everything he had with a 11.651 to Rich's 11.895. Rich had a .031 reaction time while Dennis was being cautious with a .247. The next Corvette rolling through the water is known as the cleanest Corvette in the Corvette Challenge. This 2001 Speedway White Corvette owned by Bill Fischer Sr. who allowed his son to race it in the Index as long as he cleaned it after the race. Racing Eric was Anthony Cupolo which is also a Corvette Challenge racer in his pristine 1963 Corvette. The reaction times were very close but Eric, running 11.618, was able to drive around Anthony's 11.779 for the win.
The first 11.50 Winner Eric Fischer
The next pair of Corvettes to race were Rob Zona and Malcolm Proctor from Waldorf, MD in his 2007 Corvette. Malcolm was able to leave the line first and also get the win running 11.665 to Rob Zona’s 11.385. Malcolm was able to hit the tree to get a head start on Rob knowing that Rob had some power. Rob did his best to run him down knowing that he was late on the tree. The number one qualifier, Dave Tortolani, raced Paul Bogdan next. Paul hit the tree with a .055 to Dave's .155 giving Paul the advantage to win but Paul crossed first with a 11.449 causing him to be the looser while Dave ran an impressive 11.558. The next race had Joe Donnelly still working the bugs out of his 1986 Gold Corvette. Racing Joe was Nicholas Pluta with his black 1999 Corvette. Joe was a little late on the tree but was able to run 11.631 at 118.30 mph while Nicholas was able to hit the tree hard but was not able to run Joe down with his 12.036 at 115.28. Our next racer George Correnti is no stranger to racing. George brought out his Road Racing 2002 Corvette. Some people may have been wondering why this racer had his numbers on his doors. George has the number 11 on both doors for his Road Racing. George had everyone laughing in the lanes asking about Drag Racing. This was the first time George ever raced the quarter mile. George was paired with Jerry Muniz in his Black 2005. Jerry, who is also a Rookie to a Pro Tree, was able to adjust quickly knowing that he had to leave when he saw yellow. Jerry crossed first with a 12.173 to George's 12.479. After the race George was happy not for losing but for having a great time running in this event while Jerry said he would hope to see this class for next year.
The last two Corvettes for round one were Zohaib Ahmed in his 2003 yellow ZO6 and Gene Paterno driving his 2002 Silver Corvette. Gene was able to advance to the next round as long as he did not breakout due to Zohaib going red. Gene ran a 12.191 at a conservative 88.01 mph to advance him to round two. Gene has been one of many drivers thanking myself and the track for testing this pilot 11.50 Index.
Round two had eight Corvettes with all of them running very close in ET. The first two drivers to approach the line were Doug Ring in the white 2001 Corvette against Jerry Muniz. Jerry ran an impressive 11.514 at 119.19 mph but lost to Doug who ran a 11.765 at 96.80 mph. Jerry left a little late on the tree to give the starting line advantage to Doug who took the hole shot win. Next was the showroom condition 2001 Speedway White Corvette being driven by Eric Fischer running against Malcolm Proctor in his Blue C5 ZO6. Both drivers were close in reaction times but Eric was able to run 11.669 at 106.49 mph to the Malcolm’s 12.021 at 118.82. Next it was Dennis racing his blue C6 with his daughter Misty cheering him on from the stands. Racing Dennis was Gene Paterno with his silver C5. The starting line advantage was for Gene but Dennis was able to cross the finish line first with a 11.660 at 116.99 to Gene’s 11.771 at 98.18 mph. Dennis told me earlier in the day that he did not think he had any chance of going any rounds due to the experience of the other drivers and that his Corvette has not run in the 11.50's. Dennis had a smile from ear to ear after round two. The last two racers for round two were our number one qualifier Dave Tortolani and Joe Donnelly. Joe went red giving the round to Dave. Dave ran a 11.640 to Joe's loosing 11.856.
The semi finals had some tough drivers looking to be the first 11.50 Index winner. The first two at the line were Dave Tortolani and Doug Ring. Dave left the line first with a .101 light to Doug's .331. Doug did his best to push Dave out while trying to make up for being late on the tree. Dave ran a 11.491 at 113.42 to stay ahead of Doug while Doug ran an 11.240 at 117.55. As a result both drivers breaking out, there was no winner. Both drivers were disqualified for running under the index which is a tough but needed rule to try and keep driver’s on the honest side. The margin of victory was so close for this race, the drivers could not tell who won. The next drivers to line up were Eric Fischer in his borrowed 2001 Speedway White Corvette. Racing Eric was Dennis in his Blue C6. Eric had the starting line advantage over Dennis giving him the win. With almost identical MPH, Eric ran a 11.579 at 117.41 to Dennis’ 11.622 at 117.03. The difference in the reaction times was .134 in favor of Eric. The difference in ET was .043. This was also another close race to the finish line.
The final was only Eric Fischer due to the pair of disqualification's. In the semi’s we had four drivers racing, Three of the racers lost to allow only Eric to advance to the finals by himself. Eric made a run in the final. Eric ran a 12.055 at 91.88 giving him the win. If Eric broke out in the final he would have the chance to rerun the race. If during the rerun he broke out, He would lose, there would be no winner which of course could not happen as he was racing himself. Congratulations to Eric for doing a great job.
In Eric's words "I would like to thank my Dad for the 'abuse' of his car. 15 runs in one day on the car, the neat freak that he is, I can hear him now, "Its gonna take me weeks to get the car all cleaned up!”
I would like to thank everyone that came out to support this class. Some drivers arrived in the afternoon to only race in this class and the others were already racing in the morning classes. Those that were at the track racing in the morning events had one long day of racing. All I heard was positive feedback about this event and I also hope that this will be on the 2008 schedule. Visit www.corvettechallenge.info over the off season for updates.
Videos
Videos by Rob Farley coming soon
October 20, 2007 The Inaugrual 11.50 Index
The race was a hit and Rob Farley shot all the videos with his new JVC camcorder.
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To view all elimination videos for
