They were followed by Mike Maggio (blown Corvette), Dan Myers ‘56 Camaro, Mike Bowman’s new turbo Chevelle, and the debut of Ed Thornton’s new ‘63 Corvette. Points leader John Mihovetz’s turbo Cougar seized a camshaft in the first round of qualifying.
In round one of eliminations, first up it was MOPAR VS Chevy with the famed “Mopar Missile” name on Richard Klann’s Dodge and Alan Bessant’s awesome ‘68 Camaro. Alan had some problems staging big block Camaro so Klann and company ran away with the win at a 7.038, 198.50 mph hurting the motor in the process. Bessant ran a quicker 6.880, at only 186.38 mph showing the potential of this new team.
John Mihovetz, seen here with Randy Walker, took the 2008 Pro Street Championship. (Tim Marshall photo)
Randy Walker in his rebuilt El Camino left first against Mihovetz. All Big John in the Accufab Cougar had to do was qualify while Gentile had to be at least runner up to claim the Championship for 2008. Congrats to John, Shane and Jerry.
Dan Myers in his potent John Scialpi-prepared ‘56 Cameo truck struck the tires instantly giving an easy win to PSCA writer and part time Pro Street driver Eric Lenore, as Eric pounded out an easy 6.724 at only 148.76 mph. (James Drew photo)
Giuseppe Gentile of North Hollywood, CA, kept his title hopes alive by leaving first against former World Champ Ed Thornton, at a fine (.053 RT) and thanks to some great driving by Gentile, as both drivers struck the tires instantly, with the turbo Stang getting the win light at 7.199, 221.82 mph to Big Ed Thornton’s very first full pass on the black Vette at 7.480, 176.74 mph. This car is going to flat fly when Shane Tecklenberg and company dial it in.
Tim Henry (far lane) got a free pass when his friend Mike Bowman failed to make first round due to rear end issues. Handsome Tim Henry got the win light at an easy pass 195.14 mph. (James Drew photo)
The Hairston family GTO made an easy pass to advance to round two.
After running like a bat out of hell all weekend, Randy Walker found that he did not have any nitrous in the tank of his potent El Camino, so they went to get another bottle but it was too little too late for the very quick and fast team, so Mike Maggio in the former Dan Nickleson-owned Corvette singled in the semis at a fine 6.738, 206.83 mph. Eric Lenore cut a excellent (.033RT) which was the difference in the very close race with Tim Henry as Eric’s 6.555, 216.34 took the win over the 6.576, 211.43 for the Henry Brothers Conquest Concrete entry.
Giuseppe Gentile kept those championship hopes alive this time by receiving the odd lot single and elected to just make an easy pass in the semis. Clint Hairston really stepped up with his Bakersfield-based GTO at another fine run of 6.380-218.72 mph over a very game Richard Klamm at 6.926-198.73 mph. Klamm changed engines between rounds and just barely made the call to the lanes
With the best reaction time of Pro Street, Mike Maggio in the Magco Drilling Corvette tuned by Dan Nickleson, at (.027RT) while Giuseppe had difficulties staging. Maggio and company turned in a fine time of 6.781, 191.32 mph over a very disappointed Gentile, who ran a 7.022, 203.09. Once again Lenore left first in Bob Griffith’s Viper but you can’t beat mega horsepower and the potent Hairston GTO blasted out a fine 6.329, 223.51 over a close but losing 6.643, 217.39 mph.