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Rosella Shines at TMP Street Shootout Round 4
Mark Ackert - September 28, 2007
With weather conditions less than ideal, Mike Kolne and his crew had the track prepped to perfection at Toronto Motorsports Park for race #4 of the Street Legal ShootOut series. Cold, windy conditions made racers question if the track could handle the power of these small tire terrors. Those thoughts were laid to rest after several racers tripped the 60ft beams with their back tires. The track was hooking hard so for most, wheelie bars would be a necessity. The wild 10.5 Super Street cars took advantage of the cool air and ideal track conditions. Rocky Dilecce took the #1 qualifying spot dipping the Stealth Bomber into the 6’s. Rick Rosella as well as Mike Yedgarian also made impressive 6 second passes during qualifying. Steve Lazzaro had his twin turbo 69 Camaro t uned for the cooler temps as he clicked off a 7.01 while testing. Sunday’s race action proved to be some off the best so far this season. Rocky Dilecce and Rick Rosella had their cars hooking hard and running 6’s all day long.
It was only fitting that they would find themselves in the finals against each other. Rosella, who pilots Mike Carrabs twin turbo Cobra Mustang would leave first with Dilecce’s Blown 68 Chevelle hot on his heels. It was about as close as it gets as they went through the finish line, both running a 6.98. With nearly identical numbers across the board, Rosella would just edge out Dilecce to take the Super Street win.
EZ Street has been dominated by Bill Richardson and his bad ass MPW Mustang but as of late several competitors have been stepping up to challenge him. Steve Damianidis has been one those racers but a red light in the second round against Joe Carano would end his day early. Carano would end up making his way through to the finals were he would face the ever tough Mr. Richardson. Richardson got off the line first with Carano close behind. The two were truckin down the quarter mile with Richardson tripping the beams first with a time of 7.92 at 176mph to Carano’s impressive 8.02 at 173mph.
Enzo Pecchino and Steve Falle would find themselves up against each other in the finals of True Street. Pecchino nailed the tree but Falle’s PSP powered 88 Mustang would prove to be too much as he took the win running 8.16 at 174mph over Pecchino’s 8.33 at 171mph.
Pro Stock was going to be a battle of who could keep things together. After the smoke had settled Lane Lambert and his beautiful 69 Dart would line up against the 72 Nova of Matt Glassford. Glassford had a slight advantage off the line but Lambert powered by running and incredible 8.55 at 158mph to Glassfords 9.20 at 148mph.
Along with all the great racing action there were also some very impressive cars in the lanes just there to test and tune. Word is out about the amazing starting line prep at the SS races so racers have been taking full advantage of the ideal track conditions. An amazing site to see on Saturday was the wild “Smokin Gun” big rig of Gord Cooper. The team is from Calgary and has been in the area racing as well as displaying at shows like the recent Woodstock Outdoor Farm Expo.
Race #5 will be held October 13-14. With the tight points battles, its going to come down to the wire to crown the 2007 Champions.
 Other winners from the weekend included:
8.90 Winner- John McIntyre Jr. R/U- Bill Suitor
9.90 Winner-Ernie Zambri R/U- Gary Quill
10.90 Winner- Mario Vezina R/U- Dan Nealen
11.90 Winner- Randy Nunn R/U- Lance Bisson
12.90 Winner- Matthew Stoangi R/U- Gary DaSilva
Pro Comp Winner- Johnny Oake R/U- John Ulinskas
Open Comp Winner- Don Riehl R/U- Craig Aitken
SRT Comp Winner- Darry Calar R/U- Steve Hermetz
Photos by Mark Ackert
Additional photos from this event can be viewed on the Mark Ackert Photo Gallery: HERE
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