FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kevin Orr scores career-best finish at Grand Bend MOPAR Nitro Jam Nationals
Two other TNT Super Series regulars finish in the semi-finals!
GRAND BEND, ONTARIO (July 30, 2012) Kevin Orr has been drag racing for almost three decades and has never been to a final round at a national event...until now.
Kevin and his wife Laurie finished in the runner-up spot in Hot Rod at the 2012 IHRA MOPAR Nitro Jam Nationals at Grand Bend Motorplex. Falling to eventual triple class winner Jacob Elrod, Kevin put some very impressive numbers on the board.
His average reaction time in eliminations was .017 and he ran on the good side of the 10.90 index in every round, with the exception of the final.
After defeating Rudy Matthews in round one by a tight .004 margin of victory, Kevin drilled the tree in round two with a stout .006 which wasn't good for Ron Cannatti. In round three, he repeated his near perfect light with another .006 against Drew Buchner who put up a good fight running a 10.907 to Kevin’s 10.919.
The semi-finals had three TNTSS regulars in the lanes with Kevin, Sam LoVetro Jr and Tom Coonly. Kevin prevailed over Sam with an .004 to an .012 and 10.911 to 11.006 while Tom was almost perfect on the tree at .001 but went too fast at 10.890 to Jacob Elrod’s 10.947.
In the final, Kevin posted a very respectable .021 but Jacob was better at .011. And even though Kevin took the stripe, he went too fast doing it running 10.872 to a better 10.891.
“Thanks to Chris at Lawrence Classic Transmission for keeping the drivetrain working,” said Kevin. “Special thanks to Laurie for all of her support over the years.”
Kevin says the highlight of his racing career is the two final round appearances in the same weekend last year in the Joe’s Transmission TNT Super Series. “But I’m absolutely thrilled with my driving last weekend. Now to apply it to the TNT series,” added Kevin.
“A special thanks to Ted Barnes, Joe Boniferro and Russ & Arlene Parker for creating an incredibly competitive series. And all of the other TNTSS racers for teaching me how to drive through the school of hard knocks!”
Kevin’s car is an original 1967 Corvette Roadster 427/435hp machine. He and Laurie purchased in 1982. “Laurie used to drive it to work!” added Kevin. They started racing the Corvette in Street class in 1986 running mid 11’s. Then a Liberty clutchless four speed was installed in 1988 and the back-half was done in 1990 to go Super Street racing. “We crashed the car in September of 2000 at Cayuga and then spent the next five years putting a front clip on it.”
Next was a Powerglide and they tried Joe’s Transmission TNT Super Series in late 2009. "We've only been running the TNT series ever since, with the exception of the Grand Bend national event every year."
The next stop on the 2012 Joe's Transmission TNT Super Series schedule is St Thomas Raceway Park in Sparta, Ontario on Saturday and Sunday August 4-5. Kevin Orr Mechanical is presenting a double race weekend including a special RACER BARBEQUE hosted by Laurie Orr on Saturday night. Visit www.tntsuperseries.com for full details.
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: Laurie Orr
For more information please contact:
Lewis Robinson
TNTSS - Media Relations
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