Campolucci to Run GTO in Quick 32 Sportsman Series
WOODBRIDGE, ONTARIO – Since he started drag racing in 1974 with his father’s 1970 GTO, Maurizio (Maurice) 
Campolucci has always raced Pontiacs.
After a couple of years as crew chief for son Michael Angelo, Maurizio will be behind the wheel of the 2007 GTO, the owner of the world’s fastest naturally-aspirated Pontiac with a traditional engine said he will be ready for the start of the 2010 Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts.
“We should be ready for opening day,” said Campolucci, who heads up Stallion Motorsports and the 2007 GTO which took the record at the Grand Bend Motorplex last October with a 7.361-second, 184.57-mph pass. “We’ve been doing some updates to the motor, but that and the tranny are ready to drop in.”
The heart of the former Rick Jones IHRA Pro Stock car is the 535-cubic inch Pontiac engine from the shops of Kauffman Racing in Ohio which runs a blend of Pro Racing Fuels unleaded gasoline through a carburetor setup. Behind the big Poncho is an Abruzzi Racing Transmissions Powerglide.
Campolucci said he has raced a variety of Pontiacs during his career, including a 1967 Firebird, a 1977 Astre, and a 1993 Grand Prix, a car which was a top contender in Super Pro, Super Gas, and the IHRA’s Super Rod division.
He and his team started working on the present GTO in April of 2008.
“My good friend Anthony Paone owned the car,” related Campolucci. “He was racing this car in IHRA Pro Stock and ran a 6.39 at 221 mph. Anthony was getting married and thinking of selling the race car. He promised me if he ever decided to sell it, he would ask me first. He did and I bought it.” The car came to the team as a rolling chassis.
With his son Michael driving the new car, the GTO was quick right away, recording sub-eight second times. With this encouragement, the team worked and tweaked the car, accomplishing the record-setting pass late in 2009.
This world record was the benchmark until late in March of 2010 with a 7.30-second pass.
Mitch Markusich is crew chief on the team, with Ed DaSilva, Greg and Joshua Ellis team members. Sponsors and racing partners include Kauffman Racing Equipment, Pro Racing Fuels, J&E Chassis Manufacturing, Trimm Signs, Bolt-On Performance, Quinn Construction, Sierra Excavating Enterprises, CMSports.com and Albion Golf Cars.
Campolucci was quick to point out that he would not be where he is without the help of his crew and racing partners.
“I would not be where I am today without the guys who help me,” he said. “I could not have done what I’ve done. I am very fortunate to have them. The driving of my race cars by my son Michael Angelo is second to no one.”
He added he is looking forward to getting into the action with the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, and predicts there will be some strong competition on the Top Sportsman side.
“There are a lot of fast cars in the class,” he said. “I think that after a couple of races it’s going to be tough to make the bump.”
You can get more information on the Stallion Motorsports race team by visiting their website at www.sm1racing.com
For more information contact Bruce F. Mehlenbacher at Bruce@Quick32.ca
