09/20/08 - Englishtown, NJ - The third Vette DoctorsPro 11.5 Index presented by Russ DeLibero-Emerald Financial Resources was raced on September 20, 2008. This event had nine drivers qualify in the 11.5's. As the season continues, there have been more Corvette's qualifying in the 11.5's at each race. At this pace, I think we will soon have a ladder that will have everyone qualified in the 11.5's. The class has been growing and the competition has been getting stronger. The weather was a sunny cool day with a light breeze. This was the ingredients for some great ET's. Our regular racers that are normally in the 11.60's and 11.70's were now in the 11.50's. This was going to be a field of hungry racers looking to be on the top of the ladder. The racers that have not qualified on the top of the ladder in the past are now being cautious to not breakout. As always, Gene Paterno was eager to race as he was telling everyone that he will be running the number today due to the great weather.
For today's Corvette Challenge bracket results click here.
Qualifying
We had twenty drivers make it to the lanes to qualify. The driver that warned everyone today came out swinging and holding nothing back. Gene Paterno qualified with an 11.519 on his first pass. He then backed it up with an 11.516 @ 117.74 mph. This put Gene in the number one position until Rob Farley came out and gave it everything he had in his heavy 3662 lbs 1998 Pace Car. Rob blasted off an 11.509 @ 116.14 mph to give him the number one qualifying position. Following in the number three position was Anthony Cupolo in his 1963 Supercharged four speed Corvette. Anthony qualified with an 11.525 @ 128.10 mph. Eric Fischer who is normally on the bottom of the ladder was on the top of the ladder. Eric qualified with an 11.527 @ 116.88 to put him in the number four position. The driver that was holding the number sixteen position was Joseph Latona. Joe qualified with an 11.862 @ 119.13 mph in his white 2003 Corvette. The driver with the highest mph during qualifying was Anthony Cupolo with an incredible 128.10 mph.
Round 1
The first driver to come around the wall for first round was Gene Paterno (2) who qualified at the very top of the ladder in the number two position. Gene was so anxious to race, he was trying get around the wall before the class was called. There is also a rumor that Gene was inside his car with his seat belt on, helmet on and ready to race thirty minutes before the call was made for 1st round. In round one, Gene was racing Doug Ring (10). Doug was driving a 2007 Corvette for today's event. Doug was not able to hold the power at the line and rolled through the beams to give the win to Gene. Gene left with a .072 and never looked back or even hit the brakes. Gene went an 11.574 @ 118.05 mph. The next pair to the line was the driver with a BIG BULLSEYE on his back; that would be Rob Farley (1). Rob was racing his 1998 Indy Pace Car. Rob was going up against Troy Nikola (9) in his 2000 Corvette. Rob left first with a .111 to Troy's sleepy .361. Troy knew he was late and tried to push Rob out on the top end. With the brake lights coming on from Rob's Pace Car, everyone knew that Rob was able to get to the stripe first. Troy broke out with an 11.484 @ 122.43 mph to Rob's winning 11.615 @ 103.06 mph. The next pair to battle it out on the 1320 was Gary Hillen (7) in his 2004 ZO6 going against Nicholas Pluta (15) in his 1999 Corvette. Nicholas left just a little too early. Nicholas had a -.031 red light to Gary's .074. Gary ran a 12.189 @ 102.35 mph. Next was the gorgeous 1963 Corvette driven by Anthony Cupolo (3) also known as Mr. MPH. Anthony was paired with David Tortolani (11) in the Vette Doctors prepped 1999 Corvette. Dave left first with a .121 to Anthony's .134. Anthony was able to get to the stripe first with an 11.592 @115.98 mph to David's 11.636 @ 114.00 mph.
Next to the line was John Panuzzo (14) who was the first event winner of the Vette Doctors Pro 11.50 of 2008. John would have his hands full with his opponent. John was racing Paul Bogdan (6) in his 1997 Silver Corvette. Paul is always seen in the staging lanes viewing his runs and making small tweaks to his home built Vette. Yes I did say home built Vette. Paul built and installed his own engine, installed and repined for a new computer. This is someone that literally knows their car inside and out. At the line both drivers are staged, the tree flashes and John Panuzzo is first off the line with a .083 to Paul's .142. Paul passed John just before the 1,000 foot cones and then slipped his foot of the accelerator to cross with an 11.548 @ 107.49 mph. John ran an 11.801 @ 113.83 mph. John said that he will be ready for the 2009 season with his new 2005 beautiful blue C6. The next pair to race was Bill Fischer Sr. (13) in his white 2001 Corvette racing Mike Calicchia (5) in his 1999 Corvette. Mike was able to leave first with a .096 to Bill's .180. Bill was able to cross first with a 12.006 @ 115.70 mph to Mike's 12.165 @ 102.06 mph. Next driver through the burnout box was Mr. 11.500; that would be Joe Latona (16). Joe qualified with an 11.500 at Event #3. Today Joe will be racing Vic Gandhi (8). Today was the first time Vic raced in the Vette Doctors Pro 11.50. Vic's day did not last long. Vic went red with a -.014. Joe was able to nail the tree with a .027 and ran an 11.717 @ 112.21 mph. Vic ran an 11.712 @ 117.82 mph. The last pair was Jerry Muniz (12) and Eric Fischer (4). Jerry had a .147 light giving him a .009 starting line advantage to Eric's .147 reaction time. This was a race to the finish line. Not only were their reaction times so very close, so was there total ET's. Jerry crossed first with an 11.528 @ 116.70 mph to Eric's 11.547 @ 116.62 mph.
Runner-up Paul Bogdan
Coordinator
Winner Rob Farley
Photos by Mike Roberts. For over 5000 Corvette Photos, click here.
Round 2
To start round two was Paul Bogdan (6) going up against Gene Paterno (2). Gene left first with a .122 to Paul's .155. Gene was not able to run the number, but gave it everything he had. Gene ran an 11.630 @ 118.22 mph to Paul's winning 11.503 @ 107.70 mph. The next pair was Anthony Cupolo (3) racing Gary Hillen (7). Gary hit the tree hard knowing that Anthony has a whole lot of MPH. Gary had a .063 reaction time to Anthony's .166. Anthony was able to get to the stripe first with an 11.871 @ 112.93 mph while Gary crossed with a 12.055 @ 115.80 mph. Next was Joe Latona (16) racing Jerry Muniz (12) in his HOT C6. Joe left the starting line first with a .153 to Jerry's .231. Both drivers crossed the finish line side by side. Neither driver knew who won until they received their time slips. Joe crossed first with an 11.459 @ 116.39 mph. Jerry crossed with an 11.442 @ 118.87. Both drivers were disqualified for running under the index. Each was docked 20 points for the violation. Next to the line was the driver that is always looking over his shoulder to see if someone will try to take him out. Rob Farley (1) was paired with Bill Fischer Sr. (13). Rob left first with a .076 to Bill's .115. At the top end Rob crossed first with an 11.768 @ 93.72 mph with Bill crossing with an 11.881 @ 117.00 mph.
Round 3
Round three has three Corvette's that are all running in the 11.50's. The first driver to start round three was Paul Bogdan (6). Paul had a competition single due to both his potential opponents going under the index in round two. If Paul is the winner of this round, he will advance to the finals. Of course he the only way he could lose is if he ran under the 11.50 index or crossed the center line. He was safe. Paul left the starting line with a .958 reaction time and crossed the finish line with a 17.166 @ 72.40 mph. Paul was not taking a chance and running under the index on a competition single as it would be costly. The next pair to the line was Anthony Cupolo (3) and Rob Farley (1). Both drivers knew that there is good chance that they could be breaking out due to the temperature dropping. Both drivers are staged. The lights flashed and Rob was out first with a .066 to Anthony's .135. Anthony spun hard off the line giving Rob a lead. Rob was able to cross first with an 11.641 @ 96.72 mph with Anthony crossing very close behind Rob with an 11.760 @ 128.62 mph.
Final Round
The final had Paul Bogdan (3) racing Rob Farley. I think everyone was hoping and praying for Paul to win and collect on the bounty placed on Farley by a fellow competitor. To give the advantage to Paul, Paul asked Rob if he could race in the right lane. Rob agreed without flipping a coin. Rob gave the lane choice to Paul. This was history in the making. Rob is always in the right lane and Rob would never just give the lane choice to anyone. Rob felt bad that Paul went under the semi's in event 3. There was a lot of talk in the lanes before the semis between Paul and Rob. Paul has been waiting all season to race Rob. Now he is racing Rob in the finals. If Rob wins, Rob will have secured the Championship for the Vette Doctors Pro 11.50. Paul rolls up to the starting line in the right lane, Rob rolls in and goes deep. The tree flashes and Rob is out by a fender on Paul. Rob left with a .069 to Paul's .090. Rob reeled Paul in on the top end to have a close race. Rob crossed first with an 11.542 @ 110.74 mph to Paul's 11.543 @ 115.09. Yes you read correctly, The ET difference was .001. This was the race of the year. There has not been a race this close all season. Congratulations to Paul and Rob for a great race. This race had everyone standing up to watch.
Rob would like to thank East Coast Supercharging for building him a true contender for Drag Racing, American Racing Headers, New York Speed & Machine, NO-WET and his wife Linda, his son Robbie and his daughter Katelyn.
Winner Rob Farley earned a payout of $160 in addition to the winner trophy
Runner-up Paul Bogdan earned a payout of $80 in addition to the runner-up trophy
Semi-Finalists Anthony Cupolo, Joe Latona each received $40
Number 1 Qualifier Rob Farley received a plaque for his 11.509 qualifying run
2008 Points Standings
After today's race Rob Farley was able to secure the Championship for 2008. Rob has 381 points with John Panuzzo in second place with 251 points. Paul Bogdan moved up to third place with 248 points after today's race with Shawn Cavanagh in fourth place. Gene Paterno is one point behind Shawn with 174 points.
The next Pro 11.5 race of 2008 is October 25, 2008 with the gates opening at 9:30 AM. It will be the final 11.50 race of the year. Don't miss the tight racing action if you are not ready to participate.
Videos
September 20, 2008 East Coast Supercharging Corvette Challenge Event 9 won by Eric Fischer, Vette Doctors Pro 11.50 won by Rob Farley and American Racing Headers Pro 8 Shootout won by Mark Shaw
To view all elimination videso for this event in one playing go to Event Video Theater.
)
)
)
