“Orlando North” Gains Momentum
Bruce Biegler - August 29, 2007

The racing vision for Canadian fast street car proponent Joe DaSilva gained some clarity last weekend during the Canadian Street Car Nationals event, held a Toronto Motorsports Park.

DaSilva, who is both a reputed Toronto-based drag racer and trusted speed equipment distributor, has for a number of years also presented fast street car orientated events of various degrees at drag strips in Southern Ontario. His 2007 Canadian Street Car Nationals at TMP was in fact his 15th event promotion and it was certainly his largest and most successful.

The event which had historically been dogged by weather issues which limited success was once again affected. But thankfully “Mother nature” provided only a glancing blow (on Saturday) and the race went to an on time completion in very good atmospheric conditions. An international cast of racers took full advantage of terrific track preparation and Sunday featured a very solid spectator gate.

The event was highlighted by action in the mega-popular Super Street 10.5 category which featured some ferocious competition for the very significant first place prize of $15,000.

Canada’s own Rick Rosella (Woodbridge, ON) enjoyed arguably his finest hour in drag racing so far when he took his spectacular turbocharged Pro 5.0 Mustang to victory lane. Rosella topped off his four round victory by beating invading American driver Spiro Pappas in the final round. When Pappa’s Turbo-Camaro had problems Rosella was quick to speed by him to take a 7.009 secs at 208.01 mph victory.

Rosella had been on a serious speed tear during the first three rounds which consecutive top end recordings of 208.23 mph, 209.88 mph and 208.97 mph.

Low ET for the featured Super Street was recorded by Indiana’s Billy Glidden who sped to career quick runs while at TMP – including a track record 6.835 secs. Glidden lost in the semi-final round however when a rather tardy .195 RT cost him while racing Rosella who combined a .017 RT with a 6.978 secs to cover Glidden’s 6.839 secs.

The event also featured a solid victory in the Outlaw Pro Street car category by Ontario’s Dave Earhart who drove his supercharged ’02 Camaro past Terry Brown in the final round. Earhart, who qualified #2 for that feature, recorded a winning 6.463 secs at 217.39 mph.

DragRaceCanada offers congratulations to all the event winners:

(Photos by the DragRaceCanada team of: Bruce Biegler, Mark Ackert and Rob Potter)

To view the event photo gallery click: HERE

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