NEOPMA Crown O’Hare and Kramer Champs at “Chevy vs. the World II” Super Chevy Maple Grove Event

Northeast Outlaw Pro Mods Courtesy of NEOPMA
Photo by Mark @ Godragracing

Mohnton, PA – Having the inclusion of the Northeast Outlaw Pro Mod Association a part of this amazing weekend of racing with the Super Chevy Show was more or less the icing on the cake to this event of worldwide status from publications to the internet.

Bringing over 20 cars to the race in both nitrous assisted and Blown/Turbocharged is what most would consider being “The Show” mixed in with the most popular “Jet Cars and Wheel Standers” that are the common attraction. Now spectators and fans had the opportunity to see the real 1320 warriors of the sport taking on each other in a two classes, “Nitrous” alone and “Blown vs. Turbo”.

The Northeast Outlaw Pro Mods bring so much to the quarter mile of Maple Grove Raceway, this was a show inside a show with more horsepower than you could possibly handle. Fans jammed the stands with earplugs; children gazed at the huge burnouts asking parents questions with anticipated gazes awaiting what will happen next in this great family adventure into the senses of sound, smells and memories of Quarter Mile Drag Racing.

After two days of qualifying and 90 degree temps both days, with track temperatures reaching close to 130 degrees, taking the pole position on the Blower/Turbo side was Steve King in his Jeff Miller 1957 Belair with a 6.114ET at 230.41 MPH. This year’s VMP Super Chevy winner Tim O’Hare was close on his heels with a 6.127 and 3^rd and not far behind was Andrew “Bam Bam” Parise with a 6.155. With the high track temps and heat index cars were struggling on the top end trying not to apply to much power to keep from hazing the tires 800 ft on. After 3 qualifiers the final order was:

1. Steve King                  57 Belair          6.114   230.41  
2. Tim O’Hare                 68 Camaro      6.127   232.95
3. Andrew Parise                        53 Corvette     6.155   230.02
4. Derrick Townes          68 Camaro      6.357   230.92
5. Jim Bersani                 57 Belair          6.399   230.29
6. Larry Higgenbotham   57 Belair          6.437   218.16
7. Dwayne Wolfe                        02 Firebird       6.448   217.32
8. Jim Barker                  69 Camaro      6.722   161.40

Not Qualified

9. Steve Drummond       05 Mustang     6.882   167.05
10. Gerry Capano             63 Corvette     6.992   170.41
11. Dina Parise                 63 Corvette     14.773 52.18

Notes from Qualifying: Two Pro Mods were representing the “World” in the show. Steve Drummond made a valiant effort, but with a new motor combo and little testing struggled to get down the track. Dwayne Wolfe was the other in his 02 Firebird qualified #7. Dina Parise struggled with the 60’ lighting up the tires on every attempt. Once that’s figured out she’ll be back to running 6.0’s again. Jim Barker took delivery of his brand new G-Force built racecar and G-Force Owner Jim Salemi and Jon Salemi, who were in attendance making sure the chassis and setup was correct for its maiden voyage.

On the Nitrous side, Vinnie Budano qualified number one with a 6.163 at 231.79 in his new 68 Camaro, with this year’s VMP Super Chevy winner Matt Deitsch #2 at 6.223, and Steve Kramer 3^rd with a 6.353. After 3 qualifiers the final order was:

1. Vinny Budano       68 Camaro      6.163   231.79
2. Matt Deitsch          68 Camaro      6.223   228.92
3. Steve Kramer       02 Camaro      6.353   223.28
4. Fredy Scriba         63 Corvette     6.401   216.69
5. Michael Handras   67 Camaro      6.553   211.56
6. Nick Montana       69 Camaro      6.620   207.56
7. Tyler Hard             68 Camaro      6.656   207.24
8. Gary Courtier        68 Camaro      8.256   127.56

Not Qualified

1. 9.    Brian Prins                        63 Corvette     8.812   141.05

Notes from Qualifying: Vinny Budano hurt the motor on the 2^nd qualifier and was done for the weekend. Fredy Scriba continued to struggle with electrical gremlins, and Brian Prins struggle after a year on the sidelines. Also, no other manufactures challenged the Chevys on the nitrous side.

Round one of eliminations started at 1:00pm Sunday with the Nitrous class up first. Brian Prins (Alt. for Vinnie Budano) faced off against Gary Courtier. Gary makes his best run of the weekend defeating Brian Prins 6.627 to a losing 9.219. Next up was Fredy Scriba vs. Michael Handras. This was a close race factoring in reaction times 6.408 to a losing 6.527. Next Steve Kramer defeats Nick Montana 6.70 to a 7.47, and last up Matt Deitsch defeats Tyler Hard with a round one low ET 6.262 as Tyler broke after the launch.

On the Blower/Turbo side, Jim Bersani and Derrick Townes squared off, with Derrick turning on the win light, 6.806 to a 7.277, but Derrick clipped the centerline timing block and crossed the centerline, so Jim Bersani moves onto 2^nd round. Next up was Larry Higgenbotham vs. Andrew Parise. Andrew takes the win 6.228 to a 17.759 and Larry got up on the tires and Andrew was long gone. Next was Tim O’Hare vs. the remaining non Chevy, Dwayne Wolfe. Dwayne made a valiant effort, left early and Tim takes the win 6.181 to a 6.485. Last up was Steve King vs. Jim Barker. Jim leaves early and gets loose and Steve goes down the groove to a round one low ET 6.174 to a 13.008.

Round two of nitrous paired Gary Courtier vs. Fredy Scriba. Gary’s engine caught fire after the burnout and was quickly extinguished. Fredy make a single pass for the win with a 6.635. Next up was Steve Kramer vs. Matt Deitsch. The right lane was cursed for the nitrous teams as Matt hurt the engine during the burnout and Steve cruised for the win on a single with a 6.564.

Round two on the Blower/Turbo side paired Tim O’Hare vs. Andrew Parise. Tim was out of the gate first and takes the win with a great side by side race, 6.244 to a losing 6.260. There was some brief downtime for some clean up and next up was the final pair of the second round, Steve King vs. Jim Bersani. Both cut excellent lights with Jim at .003 and Steve at .007.

Both were skating around going down track and Steve pedaled a few times for the win, 6.954 to a 8.013. As Steve went through the traps and chutes out, made a hard turn to the left, hit the retaining wall, and shot to the right hitting the right retaining wall before coming to a stop. Jim Bersani stopped next to Steve to lend assistance to fellow racer Steve. The Maple grove safety crew was on the scene in seconds and Steve was out of the car and was ok after being checked by the EMT.

After a long cleanup the Nitrous finals were run. Steve Kramer vs. Fredy Scriba. Steve Kramer leaves first and never looks back for the win, 6.304 to losing 8.333.

On the Blower/Turbo side Tim O’Hare taking the win on a bye run.

With a weekend full of highs and lows, it’s great to know the dedication of the teams to each other, the Association, and to other teams. Fredy Scriba and Tim O’Hare donated their winnings to Steve King and Jeff Miller, good friends of theirs and knowing the tight racing budget that they are on, so that they can put the 68 Camaro back together to race. What a great unselfish gesture within the NEOPMA racing community.

Again, congratulations to Steve Kramer and Tim O’Hare and their Teams.  Next event will be “Rumble at the Grove” August 13^th at Maple Grove Raceway.

The NEOPMA would like to thank Lex Dudas and all his staff at Maple Grove for preparing and executing a great event, and a huge thank you to all the drivers and teams who made this such a great event. A huge thank you to the Maple Grove Safety crew for the great job they did.

Thanks also to the NEOPMA staff, John Mazzorana, Vito Micciolo, Jimmy Biggs, Rockin’ Rob for his great and exciting announcing, Gino Micciolo, Rocco Micciolo, Nicole Micciolo, Mark of godragracing.org for his great photos,  and Joe Vigorita of ECAM Racing Engines for their assistance in pulling off another great event for the series.

Click link for complete event results. http://www.neoutlawpromods.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=243&Itemid=24

NEOPMA Associate Sponsors: Moroso, Goodyear, Jesel, Accufab, RPM Magazine, 1320go.com, Jan-Cen Motorsports, T.J. & Sons Towing, Performance2Way Communications, splitracing.com, Barker Racing, Ram Clutches, Star Transporters, T&F Racing, VP Race Fuels, Star Cab Co., dtpromod.com, Pullin/Plummer Racing, Mickey Thompson, Richards Automotive, Gary Courtier Home Improvements, American Racing Headers, Western Beef,  CCI Constructors, Timothy O’Hare Custom Homes, Speedtech, WD4ME.com, Amato/Cannonball/ModZilla Racing.