John Sapone wins the 29th annual "Truckin' for Kids" Truck Drags October 4th, 2009

Hey Jimmy,
Just wanted to let you know that the Pothole Express was in the winners circle once again. Your transmission helped me run consistent 60' foot times all day with strong top end power!
Thanks for a great transmission!
John

For more information on the event visit: http://www.truckinforkids.org/index.html

Mitchell dominates Meziere “Cool Down Nationals” 4th of July event.

By Bob Johnson Fontana, Calif. July 4, 2009

Darryl Mitchell put on an awesome display of 9.90 racing at the Meziere Enterprises sponsored “Cool Down Nationals” at Auto Club Dragway, Mitchell cruised to his final round win over Roger Kato with an amazing average elapsed time of 9.905 through six rounds of eliminations.

Ray Cordeiro—the Pro Gas Shootout points leader— earned the top qualifying honor with a 9.903 with his Corvette, followed by Kevin Allen with a 9.904 and reigning champ Pete Bothe was third at 9.905 for series fifth race of the season. Mitchell qualified 52nd with his ’03 Chevy Cavalier roadster with a .04 too quick timing.

Darryl began his incredible day of racing with a 9.901 win over Rick Gunther in round one, he stopped points contender Chris Newman with a 9.908 in round two and a 9.908 with a .009 reaction time in round three. In the quarterfinals, Darryl used a 9.904 to stop Topeka Super Gas national event champion Ryan Herem, and in the semi he used a .002 starting line advantage and took out point’s leader Glen Smith 9.894 to a losing 9.868.

Fresh off of a runner-up finish at the previous series race in June, Roger Kato went to another final with a win over R.J. Simrock in round one; he had a perfect light in round two to beat Val Torres, and then stopped Glenn Wagner in the third round. Roger defeated Val Torres Jr., in the quarters, and went to his second-straight final with a .007 reaction time to beat Gary Mignacca in the semi. Kato had a .001-advantage at the starting line against Mitchell, but Darryl laid down his fifth 9.90 of the event and went to his first final round with his Cavalier, 9.903, 158.52 to Kato’s second best of 9.910, 160.92.

Darryl Mitchell credits sponsors Worthy Motorsports, SRE Engines, RaceTrans Transmissions, Munsinger Converters, K & N Filters, Fast Eddies Race Car Fabrication, and Parmelee Custom Paint. Mitchell offered special thanks to Jed Bourquin, Al Ventura, Greg Ventura, Mike Perez, Don Higgins, Team Smooth, and wife Valerie and children Leah & Cy.

Photos credits: http://www.bobjohnsonphotography.com/

STOLEN TRUCK AND TRAILER - LOOKING FOR YOUR HELP

Stolen from the secured yard of Spectre Performance in Ontario,California at approximately 2:30AM Saturday April 11th.

• 2002 Freightliner FL70 Toterhome with 38' 5th Wheel Trailer
• License Number: 2QPN682/ Trailer License Number: 4DG4349
• Color: Black with Speed by Spectre Logo on side of trailerin silver. Silver Spectre logo on Tailgate and on front of windshield. (both truck and trailer were originally white before being wrapped).

One of the items in the trailer was a custom built 1970 El Camino,recognizable by the following attributes:

• Custom Show Car Built by SoCal Speed Shop for the TLC show"Hard Shine". Vehicle has been seen/used last year at many of the Goodguys and NSRAevents as well as Hot Rod Power Tour and Hot August Nights
• License Number: 93 873 F (black/yellow lettering California Lic Plate)
• Color: Black
• Fabricated Raw Aluminum Lip, Spoiler, Bed Cover, dash and inner door panels
• Spectre Logo on Windshield, aluminum lip and inside vehicle
• Unique Engine Setback with late model LS7 motor
• Complete roll cage that exits out the back window into the bed area
• 19" Aluminum Wheels with Baer brakes
• Inner headlights replaced with air intake inlets

If you should happen to see or hear of either of these vehicles, please contact the Ontario, California Police Department or Spectre Performance directly at the following numbers:

Ontario Police Department - 909-986-6711 - Reference file # 090400687

Spectre Performance - 1-800-821-4868

Mike Morrow x329 / Cell 949-338-1612

Amir Rosenbaum / Cell 408-858-2228

Patricia Eames x334

Knowing that the chances of finding either vehicle intact are slim, we also realize that many of the people who take part in this type of activity are not necessarily the smartest individuals. If you have away to spread the word or just keep an eye open for something like this,we'd appreciate it.

As always, thank you for all your help.

Mike Morrow Vice President Marketing

909-673-9800 x329

949-338-1612 Cell

RaceTrans customer John Sapone and The Pothole Express start '09 off with a Bang!

As submitted to The Southern California Super Street Association for their website:
Winner Review:

After only having one qualifying session on Saturday and then losing in the first round, my hopes for Sunday being a better day was on my mind. Little did I know that Sunday would bring its own set of challenges on that day.

Sunday started with the tailgate of my truck not opening, that should have told me it was going to be a crazy day. With spirits high, we made it past 1st round; Gary Mignacca is as tough as they come and that was evident with his near perfect light (-.001). I always tell people, So.Cal Super Street racers are a great bunch to race with. Jim Israel all day had allowed me to get wind readings from his trailer. Who would have thought we were going to be paired in round 2. I know I told you at the track Jim, but thanks again.

I would have to say that going into round three truly tested me and my crew. You know, I love the lady that hands our time slips to us. She is always friendly and upbeat. As she handed me my slip she said "here ya go, now Safety wanted me to tell you that it looked like your light bar may be loose, have a good day!" All that raced through my mind was Whaaaaaaaaaat? Back in the pit, I grabbed the generator and went to pull the cord……you guessed it, a spring broke inside that prevented the generator from starting. If that wasn't enough, my wife tells me that our laptop just shut off due to low battery and can't get it to charge.

So let’s recap, loose light bar, dead generator, no laptop. Oh ya,and the announcer saying "So Cal Super Street winners return to the lanes". I want to thank Fischle Racing for letting me plug into his trailer to charge my car for the rest of the race and the Scarpelli's for trying to help with the laptop problem. Thankfully the light bar was a quick fix.

I would have to say that round three through the final was some of the best drag racing I got to experience in a long time. Steve, Mike, Dave,you are great competitors. Mike, 10.900 to a 10.906…. WOW……you made it a true drag race.

David, congrats on another final round appearance, based on my run with you, this will not be your last.

I want to thank my crew that day, my wife Jennifer, Crew Chief Ron, Debbie and Jimmy “G”. You really stepped up to take the pressure off of me. Big hugs and kisses to my daughter Ashley, thanks so much for your help on the fuel system. All that hard work paid off Hotrod!

To my sponsor, RaceTrans.com, thank you for a great transmission! Your product helped produce consistent 60 foot and 1000 foot times, thanks again Jimmy.

I would also like to thank Don Higgins from Crew Chief Pro. Your software made it possible for me to run the dial-in. Further, the knowledge we gathered from your product helped us even after we had a computer problem. Special thanks to Reher Morrison Racing Engines and Kris and Peter at Continental Converters.

Last, but not least, Mike and Donna Scarpelli, thanks for sponsoring the race and keeping this association running smooth. Yours and the sponsors continued support is much appreciated.

See all you in June!
John Sapone
The Pothole Express Congratulations John. We were proud to be right there in the Winners Circle with you.

Welcome to our Blog

Over on our business websites we have a page where we highlight the racers who have chosen to run our transmissions in their Hot Rods, Race Cars and Trophy Trucks; but there is always more to say than just the usual thanks from us to them and vice-versa. There are; races won and lost, articles written, new cars purchased, new paint jobs and new motors. But sometimes life gets in the way and the website doesn't get updated enough, and our accolades are not heard. Not so with blogging, with a few moments of typing, some cut and paste and a click of your mouse; what you have to say is thrown out in to the Internets instantly.

We hope to use this to better promote ourselves, our business, our customers; those who we support and support us in return.