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Interested sponsors should contact:
Dan Pirisi
Tel: 905-945-9415
Dan Pirisi, who is a well known race car painter from Southern Ontario, threw his hat into the wild world of exhibition Jet car racing when he first debuted his Gladiator Jet dragster at the beginning of the 2001 season.
That machine which was designed and built Ohios Toby Ermintraut, features a 275 wheelbase and a chrome moly chassis. Power comes from a Pratt & Whitney J-60 jet engine, which are more commonly used in Lear jets and military helicopter applications. That engine, which was assembled by Jim & John Dustman, puts out 5500 lbs in thrust and 5000+ horsepower which propels the race car (that weighs only 1250 lbs with driver) to nearly 300 mph on the 1/4 mile.
Pirisi, who is a product line supervisor at the Dofasco steel mill in Hamilton, is also the owner and operator of D&J Restoration (Grimsby, ON). His racing operation is 100% self-funded. Pirisis race car painting art has been employed by numerous area racers, including Pro Mod stars Mark Neilsen, Carl Spiering and Bruce Boland as well as the Paton Family Funny Car racing team. Those skills are also very evident on the Gladiator jet dragster, which features a dramatic paint scheme.
Dan Pirisis drag racing experience includes an 8.90 car, which he raced on a limited basis. For the most part his involvement in the sport has been behind the scenes. During most of the 1990s Dan was a crewman to Herb Rodgers alcohol Funny Car as well as for Bruce Bolands Pro Modified team.
Pirisi relies on his son Joel who is his right hand man and primary crewmember. Since coming on the scene the duo have travelled extensively in Canada and the Northeast U.S. where they have delighted the racing public with a professional presentation and impressive on track performances.
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