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2011 Funny Car Reunion
By Ted Pappacena
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| Jon Capps boils 'em en route to a 6.18/227mph |
Okay, let’s get it out of the way now; IT WAS HOT. But then again it’s always hot this time of year at Englishtown. In fact the entire tri-state area was in the grip of a monster heat wave. Ah, but Sunday was supposed to be cooler. Only 90. Yeah right! And the humidity, UGH!
Regardless, the 10th Annual Funny Car Reunion was great! The racing was hot and there were no incidents. The festivities got under way with a few awards given; the D.A. Santucci Spirit award to Willie Johnson and Best Appearing Car to Rocky Roxlau for his gorgeous Time Bomb Vega F/C. Shortly after, there was a mini cacklefest with Bruce Larson firing up his 1977 Corvette F/C and Brian Beattie with his Great Expectations AA/FD at the same time. Next up were the nitro funnies supplied Henry Gutierrez’s Texas Jungle Racing Team. On hand were Jon Capps in the Texas Jungle Camaro and Mike Smith in the newly completed Brand-X Mustang. Both ran in the 6 second range and in the second round, Jon posted a 6.18 sec ET at 227 mph. That, in the oppressive heat and humidity was pretty impressive.
Alky funnies followed the nitro cars and the runs were very impressive considering the heat. Making passes were the Total Insanity Monza piloted by Chris Masserella which garnered the “Jungle Jim Showmanship Award” for his long burnouts and neat dry hops. His wife Krista received the back up girl award too! Also on hand and in no particular order were the Shellshock Vega, Warpath Buick Somerset, Time Bomb Vega, Agent Orange Dodge Sport, Miss Behavior Duster, Screaming Insanity Grand Am, Sweetman Brothers Citation, Willie Johnson “No Money No Funny” Nova, Kevin Johnson’s Glory Daze Camaro. Mascott Racing Corvette and the Screaming Eagle Trans Am.
The next segment featured Rocky Pirrone’s traveling period correct gasser show.The four cars included the Boss Hydro 33 Willys, Big Time Memories 41 Willys, K S Pittman 33 Willys tribute car, and Fred Bear’s S7S Racing Team 40 Willys. Rocky has this deal down pat as well as his stable of drivers; Fred, Rick Stief, and Mike Hall. No true fan of drag racing should miss this awesome show.
Racing continued with nostalgia Super Stocks, the East Coast Gassers, and NETO. Everyone I talked to had a great time as well as me. Attendance was down probably due to the excessive heat and the “Night of Thrills” held the previous Wednesday night. Coming back 4 days later may have been too much of a strain on the wallet. Whatever, I’m eagerly looking forward to FCR-11. Hope to see you’ all there!
Here are more photos of the stars and cars...
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| Kevin Johnson lifts 'em in the Glory Daze Camaro |
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| Rocky Pirrone's slightly wounded Big Time Memories Willys smokes the hides |
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| Mike Smith in the Brand-X Mustang |
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| The Woodsman Shaker Chevy II gasser yanks 'em |
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| Rocky Roxlau owned/Keith Davidson driven "Best Appearing Car" Time Bomb Vega |
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| George Gudat steers the N/SS Galaxie 500 |
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| Dave Sano boils the hides in his Grand Am |
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| The Relic Willys C/G buries the track in smoke |
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| Chris Masserella's Total Insanity Monza shows why he got the "Jungle Jim Showmanship Award" |
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| Hell Bound AA/FA blasts off |
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| Krista Masserella, winner of the back up girl contest, guides Total Insanity |
Ted Pappacena
dragracingimagery.com
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