FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pete Maduri Jr and Bill Elekes take top prizes at TNT Super Series double
Maduri has 2010 Hot Rod championship all but locked up!
CAYUGA, ONTARIO (September 7, 2010) The points chase in the highly competitive Joe's Transmission TNT Super Series took two more steps towards completion this past weekend. Cayuga Dragway hosted events 11 and 12 in the 10.90 sportsman series' 2010 season - leaving only two more races to go this year.
Presented by Rosehill Auction House, the double header weekend fought scattered rain showers and high winds all day Saturday yet managed to get two qualifying sessions in. Then the rain came and TNT officials decided to run Saturday's eliminations on Sunday morning - before Sunday's race.
On Sunday morning, it was Pete Maduri Jr of Tonawanda, NY winning his fifth event this year and Bill Elekes from West Seneca, NY winning on Sunday afternoon. With this win, Pete just about has the points battle locked up with only one person mathematically able to catch him, and that's Dave Surmatchewski from Oakland, ON.
Sunday Morning's Results
Pete Maduri Jr had starting line advantage in round one against Larry Pulver (Palmyra, NY) and then took out Jon Jablonski (West Seneca, NY) in round two when JJ turned on the red light. A bye run in the quarterfinals set him up against Chris VanBaalen (Wellandport, ON) in the semi's who also went red on the tree.
The final round had Pete paired with Steve McCarrick (Phelps, NY) who had to battle past tough competition from Bill Elekes, Wayne Sipos and Dave Surmatchewski to get to the final.
When the tree came down, both drivers got away clean with Pete having a slight .007 second advantage. That helped him at the big end where he ran a 7.013 to Steve's too fast 6.978 to take his record-breaking fifth Joe's Transmission TNT Super Series event win in a single season.
Pete was quick to thank his family - his dad Pete, mom Nancy and sister Gina. "We cracked a head in two places in first round here three weeks ago," said Pete. "After that event, we assembled our spare set of heads and put them on the car. Thanks to my dad's hard work, the car ran identical with these new heads and even more consistent. Without him, none of this is possible."
"I have to thank Dynabrade, Tonawanda Bowling Center, and Rapids Bowling Center for their support," added Pete. "Also want to thank everyone involved in running the TNT Super Series - awesome job getting both events complete under threatening weather. And Rosehill Auction as well for sponsoring today's race!"
Art Jones (Webster, NY) with a 7.000
Scott Jahren (Tonawanda, NY) with a 7.027
Fred Gross (Brampton, ON) with a .001 - tied with Kevin Orr - Fred was closer to index
Sunday Afternoon's Results
Bill Elekes faced off against Paul McFadyen (Georgetown, ON) in round one and even with Paul's perfect .000 reaction, Bill was able to drive around him for the round win.
Second round saw him defeat points leader Pete Maduri Jr - something no one has done in the last 11 rounds - and take home the $200 bounty from Kevin Orr Mechanical. Pete did have a .005 second starting line advantage but Bill drove around him too, taking the stripe by a mere .004 seconds.
A bye run in the quarterfinals set him up for the semi's against Fred Gross (Brampton, ON). Fred had a slight reaction time advantage however Bill took the win with a 7.052 when Fred went too fast, running 6.985.
Final round pairing was Mark Herbold (Elma, NY) who held off Kevin Orr, Chris VanBaalen and Steve McCarrick on his way to the final. "Mark and I used to race against each other in the 80's - This is just like old times!" said Bill just before the final round.
This time Bill had the advantage off the line (.018 to .027) and took the win with a 7.073 to Mark's too fast 6.977. This is Bill's first event win in TNT Super Series competition. "I've been to five other TNT final rounds but could never close the deal until today!" Bill added.
Bill's regular Hot Rod car - a 1975 Monza - broke during Saturday's qualifying so he went home to western New York to get his 1996 Beretta. "I normally run the Beretta in Super Rod, so finding the factor was tricky." Bill managed to figure it out, qualifying the Gillogly Resale Beretta in second spot with a 7.001.
"I have to thank Tom Porebski at Tom's Performance in Orchard Park, NY. He does all my engine work." Bill was sure to mention how much he enjoys the TNT Super Series. "This deal keeps you sharp and you don't have to drive a ton of miles to race it. Thanks to Joe Boniferro, the Barnes family and Russ & Arlene Parker for putting together a terrific deal for the sportsman racer."
Bill is currently sitting second in IHRA Division One Hot Rod points. "We're going to New England next week to work on divisional points - this TNT series is the best practice you can get!"
Specialty Awards - Sunday September 5 (afternoon)Wayne Sipos (Binbrook, ON) with a 7.000
Jon Jablonski (West Seneca, NY) with a 7.007
Paul McFadyen (Georgetown, ON) with a .000
The Joe's Transmission TNT Super Series next stop is a double event - the final two events for 2010 - at Dunn Tire Raceway Park on Saturday October 2nd. Visit www.dunntireracewaypark.com for full details.
Joe's Transmission TNT Super Series Points (Top 10 of 44) After 11 of 13 Events
| 1 | Pete | Maduri Jr | 861 |
| 2 | Dave | Surmatchewski | 672 |
| 3 | Ted | Barnes | 642 |
| 4 | Bill | Elekes | 630 |
| 5 | Chris | VanBaalen | 607 |
| 6 | Fred | Gross | 601 |
| 7 | Mark | Herbold | 597 |
| 8 | J.J. | Jablonski | 554 |
| 9 | Tom | Coonly | 538 |
| 10 | Steve | McCarrick | 536 |
About the TNT Super Series:
The Joe’s Transmission TNT Super Series www.tntsuperseries.com began in 2006 and is entering its fourth full season in 2010. Based on NHRA’s Super Street & IHRA’s Hot Rod classes, the multi-event series runs on a 10.90 index in the 1/4 mile (7.00 in the 1/8 mile), guarantees a MINIMUM of $500 for an event win and pays round money for EVERY round win. Competing at facilities in southern Ontario and western New York, there are only two exceptions to the rulebook - no weight minimum and left-hand drive open-bodied cars are allowed.
Joe’s Transmission has been in business in Niagara Falls, Ontario since 1984. They sell & install high performance parts & accessories however their specialty is building & repairing high performance transmissions. Contact Joe and his team at (905) 374-6116 or visit them online at www.joestransmission.com
2010 is our fourth season - with more than 100% payback!
Photo credit: Rob Potter and Ted Barnes
For more information please contact:
Lewis Robinson
TNT Super Series - Media Relations Director
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