The first round also saw a matchup of two of the PSCA’s best in Randy Walker and Clint Hairston, and they both left with great reaction times, but it was the horsepower of the little GTO with a 6.479 @ 229.55 mph over Walker’s anemic 6.992 @ 153 mph after handling problems led him to shut it off early. John Scialpi, in his family ‘57 Bel Air, easily advanced to round two over Joe Alsworth, who had a new clutch combo in the ‘37 this weekend for the first time. Scialpi was the quickest in round one at 6.255 @ 224.66 mph over Alsworth’s 6.942 @ 217.98 mph.

(Mel Roth photo)

Giuseppe Gentile cut a mean light (.041RT) over Rod Pearce’s brand new Camaro, but something went away in the turbo ‘Stang, giving a “never say die” win to veteran Pearce with a subpar 7.667 @ 173.54 mph.

Team Scialpi was Mr. Consistent, laying down another fine easy pass of 6.415 @ 221.45 mph to end Mark Wolfe’s hopes, as he was a bit off the pace at 7.140 @ 214.42 mph. The Monte Carlo of Kelly Bluebaugh and company had some tire shake again, but still produced a 7.452 @ 203.23 mph for a win over Rod Peace’s immaculate new ‘79 Camaro. Next in the heat of the day, Bill Hickok and Jim and Jake Hairston really had their Pontiac GTO ready, as they laid down another 6.188 @ 241.54 mph for Low ET and Top Speed of the breed easily! Tony Marino turned in a decent 6.879 @ 208.67 mph for his outstanding team effort.

Kelly Bluebaugh really wanted that win light, as he cut a nice reaction time and left on the veteran Scialpi, but at the end of the 1320 it was all over for Bluebaugh with Scialpi running a 6.731 @ 200.80 mph to Bluebaughs’s 7.127 @ 215.07 mph as both cars had tire shake. Clint Hairston tried to set the record on his bye run, but the Orange GTO got a bit out of shape and he wisely clicked off, saving his ride for the final.