Pete Maduri Sr and Bill Elekes – TNT Super Series Winners at Cayuga

Both drivers eligible for REVS Race of Champions!

CAYUGA, ON – Cayuga Dragway of Toronto Motorsports Park hosted races 6 & 7 in the 2015 Joe’s Transmission TNT Super Series this past weekend with Pete Maduri Sr picking up his first TNTSS event win and Bill Elekes getting his third. Presented by Kevin Orr Mechanical, the weekend drew 24 cars in the heat and humidity – the Density Altitude in the 3500’ range.

Pete Maduri Sr – photog Ted BarnesSaturday July 25 – Results

After qualifying number one with a 10.901, Pete Maduri Sr from Tonawanda, New York met up with Alex Lepp in round one and advanced when Lepp went .001 red. Then it was Wayne Sipos falling in round two. David Surmatchewski was next to go, also with a .001 red light – Maduri was ready though as he was .005.

A bye run in the semi’s set him up to face current TNTSS points leader and 2009 series champion Paul Young in the final. When the tree lit up, Maduri got away clean with an .037 but Young had it on kill… going .003 red, handing Maduri his first win in TNTSS competition and lifetime eligibility for the REVS Full Throttle Powersports TNTSS RACE OF CHAMPIONS.

“I would like to dedicate this win to my family for all their help,” commented Maduri. “Lil-Pete still helps tune me from 2000 miles away. My wife Nancy and daughter Gina help crew for me and my brother Dave that lives in Florida was my racing partner for many years. He was almost taken from us a few years ago by a heart attack. Thankfully he is doing well today and keeps up with my racing thru the internet.”

Maduri has been racing for 41 years and has driven more than 30 cars. “I started serious racing at 18 with a 68 Camaro that ran E/MP. Took a break in 1987 when Pete Jr was born and then got back into it in 2001 when he started racing juniors.” Pete Jr had his own success in the TNTSS, dominating the 2010 season earning himself a series championship.

“I would like to thank the TNT series for providing this highly competitive series to race in, Joe’s Transmission for sponsoring this series, Jim Thomson for running the show properly, Nicole and Anastazie for checking us all in and keeping the ladders current and Kevin Orr Mechanical for putting on this weekend. They all really do a great job.”

Pete Maduri Sr – photog ThePhotoGuys.caMaduri was quick to thank his sponsors including Brian at BRK Racing Engines. “They give me reliable, competitive engines. Also want to thank Donny Raiser at Tread City Tire, Vito Antonicelli Race Cars for updating the VooDoo Vette this past winter and JSL Auto for helping me finish my new car off. It’s another Corvette roadster that should be out running shortly.”

Specialty Awards – Saturday

Hoosier Tire Canada $100 certificate – Number One Qualifier

Pete Maduri Sr (Tonawanda, NY) with a 10.901
J&S Collision $50 – Closest to the Index (1st Round Loser)

Kirk Parry (North Tonawanda, NY) with a 10.925

Sunday July 26 – Results

Bill Elekes out of West Seneca, New York started his march through the field from the 8th qualifying position after posting a 10.918.

From there he defeated Kevin Orr in round one with an .023 to .036 on the tree, pushing Orr under at the stripe. Then he was .020 to JJ Jablonski’s .031, pushing him under using a 10.915 to a 10.890.

Round three saw him drill the tree with a .008 to Alex Lepp’s .018, again using the starting line advantage to push Lepp under the index at the top end.

A bye run in the semi’s set him up to face Mark Herbold in the money round. Elekes .007 to Herbold .033. At the stripe with both drivers on the good side of the index, Elekes lit the final beacon of the weekend by an ever so slight margin of 0.0008 seconds, earning his third TNTSS event win.

Bill Elekes – photog Ted Barnes“It was a tricky day of racing – Hot, humid and windy,” said Elekes in the winner’s circle.

“I have to thank Chris Tucker. He’s a long-time friend and owner of the Beretta. He’s let me drive his car for almost 20 years now.”

Elekes was quick to thank fellow TNTSS racers Steve McCarrick and Larry Pulver. “They hung around and helped me a ton in the late rounds. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

“Also want to thank Bob Gittere, the designer of the Data Clutch Throttle Stop Tool. It’s an incredible piece of technology for throttle stop racers. Also Tom’s Performance for excellent engines and Autos Direct of Buffalo.”

Interesting fact… Of the three TNTSS wins for Elekes, two of them were against Herbold. Both cars over 145 mph.

Elekes can’t say enough about the TNT Super Series. “This deal is the best around. Can’t thank them enough – Joe Boniferro, Ted Barnes, Jim Thomson. They’ve built an awesome series. And really appreciate Kevin and Laurie Orr for presenting this weekend.”

Specialty Awards – Sunday

Hoosier Tire Canada $100 certificate – Number One Qualifier

Ryan Boniferro (Niagara Falls, ON) with a 10.900
J&S Collision $50 – Closest to the Index (1st Round Loser)

George Mayer (Niagara Falls, ON) with a 10.912

Next up for the Joe’s Transmission TNT Super Series is the first-ever GUARANTEED TO WIN event – presented by Roy & Tara Lister – being held on the Saturday night during the IHRA Pro Am at Empire Dragway, Leicester, NY on August 22. Visit www.tntsuperseries.com for more info