NORTHEAST OUTLAW PRO MODIFIEDS GEARING UP FOR 2008
Thu, 2008-04-03 05:26
Looking for a little diversity to go with your heads-up drag racing?
If you're fortunate enough to live in the northeastern United
States, look no further than a series often described by the locals as well as
the participants as the "Best kept secret in heads-up": The Northeast Outlaw Pro
Mod Association.
Founded in 1992 by native New Yorker, John Mazzoranna,
the northeast-based doorslammer club was launched with a goal and vision of
providing entertainment for fans, increasing sponsor promotions and filling the
grandstands of regional tracks across the northeast.
The association was a hit from the very beginning,
easily filling a 16-car field at their first event. As the organization prepares
for it's incredible 16th season of ground shaking entertainment, membership and
diversity has changed, while still keeping the original vision solidly intact.
Still guided by the steady leadership of it's original founder, John Mazzoranna,
the heads-up club is just over a month away from dropping the clutch on a much
anticipated season.
A variety of brand new race cars are reportedly being
built for the new season. Club members Drew Parisi, Fred Scriba, Ed Burnley, Tim
O'Hare, Frank Patille, Mark Pullen, Steve Cossis and Dave Hance have
all confirmed that they will debut newly constructed or newly purchased cars in
2008.
The Montana Brothers will unveil a brand new paint
scheme on their Cynergy composite-bodied Camaro. From the Montana Brothers Long
Island, NY - based chassis shop, comes a pair of radical 1953 Corvettes. Each
car is expected to compete with the Northeast Outlaws. "There's a lot of new
guys who want to go fast and want to race with this organization in
2008", commented Nick Montana.
As for the performance diversity within the series, this
club was founded on the principles of the classic blower vs. nitrous wars, later
expanding its fan appeal by welcoming turbos and normally aspirated mountain
motor entries. This broad diversity is showcased in every race, none more so
than in one of the club's "Extreme" races. Presented several times throughout
the year (and sponsored liberally by club member Mike Ashley's Lend
America mortgage company) the fierce racing action as well as purse
money is justly described as "Extreme".
In an "Extreme" race, fans are treated to two separate
8-car fields in which blower cars race turbos, and nitrous entries compete
against normally aspirated mountain motors. After a victor emerges from
the eliminations of each 8-car field, a king of the hill run off is staged to
crown the Extreme race winner.
Want even more diversity? In September, the Northeast
Outlaws will travel to Atco for a 2-day open field event. On day one of the
event, participants race the full 1/4, with $10,000 going to the winner. On day
two, $5,000 is up for grabs in a quick dash to the 1/8 mile. In normal club
races, the 4 distinct types of race cars compete against each other in the same
field. The Northeast Outlaws present both 8 and 16 car fields from track to
track during normal club races.
The Northeast Outlaw Pro Mod Association covers a broad
geographical area that includes 6 tracks. Between special invitationals, open
field events and regular club races, the series has a total of 13 events on the
schedule.
Members of the Northeast Outlaw Pro Mods are
anticipating a sensational season opener at Numidia Dragway. Situated along the
rolling hillsides of Pennsylvania, this 1/4 mile facility not only provides a
race with a scenic view, it also underwent a major earth-moving update in the
off season, with new concrete past the 1/8th mile.
In addition to the season opener at Numidia, the series
will also make 3 stops at its home track, Cecil County Dragway.
Other tracks that will host the series in 2008 include: Pittsburgh Raceway Park,
Capitol Dragway, Atco and Maryland International Raceway.
Many notable racers who enjoy national success are also
members of the Northeast Outlaw Pro Mod Association. Standouts like Mike
Castellana, Pat Musi, John Nobile, Tommy Gray and Mike Ashley are all club
members. Another famous Northeast member, as well as
club track owner is Jim Halsey. In addition to driving the world's
quickest nitrous Pro Mod, Halsey also graced the cover of Drag Illustrated
magazine's March issue. "The Northeast Outlaws is a great organization and we
enjoy competing in their events", says Halsey. "I believe Mike Ashley is coming
to the first Extreme race at Cecil, so maybe we've got something for him this
year", added Halsey.
Vinny Budano, another doorslammer super star, hopes to
increase his involvement with the Northeast Outlaws in 2008. "It's basically
where I cut my teeth", says Budano. "We went off to the run the street car
thing, and I really missed racing in this organization", commented Budano,
adding that race fans can expect to see the Scott Shafiroff Racing Enterprises
Camaro at a number of Northeast Outlaw events in 2008.
For more information about the Northeast Outlaw Pro Mod
Association, including news, photos and a complete 2008 schedule, you may visit:
www.neoutlawpromods.com
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