Daniel Gregorini is set be joined by his wife Lisa in the Top Doorslammer category with the addition of a second supercharged Camaro to the team.
The new ride is a 2008-built Jerry Haas 1968 Camaro, which ran as quick as 5.61 in the USA. The Scratch & Match Motorsport team purchased the car as a roller, and it was unveiled to friends and family at Lisa’s 30th birthday party on Saturday night.
While there is still much left on the Doorslammer to complete, Lisa said she is looking forward to her drag racing dreams becoming a reality.
“I’m sure once the day gets closer to hitting the track reality will set in and the nerves will start,” she said. “Daniel has been getting me in his car for start ups at the race track this season to start to learn the ropes. I often sit with him while he goes through data after each pass and he talks me through what happened with the lap. I’ll continue to ask plenty of questions to help me prepare.
“I’m pretty fortunate to have some great mentors, Daniel being one of them. Growing up around the likes of Bob St Lawrence, Aaron Deery and Nigel Johnson, I have learned a lot from them also over the years.”
Daniel said the team originally had a dragster they were planning on having Lisa race, along with his father Peter. When the Camaro came up for sale it was a deal too good to refuse.
“Lisa has been a big part of my racing, and has always wanted to race,” he said. “We purchased the dragster along time ago for Dad and Lisa to do laps in, but when we switched my car to an auto with the dragster still running a clutch it became harder.
“We stumbled across the deal of a life time thanks to our long time friends the Salemi family. It was a no brainer, everything is identical to my car except the chassis, so it’s all interchangeable and it has a beautiful TSP 11 inch rear end in it so the deal was done in a few hours.”
Scratch & Match Motorsport are currently looking to expand their network of sponsors to bring the two-car team to Perth Motorplex in coming seasons.
“It all takes time and hard work, and we could borrow back my original roots supercharger to help get the car going earlier or we can wait for the funds for a PSI,” Daniel said. “But you never know what’s around the corner and at anytime my drive line can be bolted in to Lisa’s car. It’s set to go and make laps but if any corporate backing comes along it will be sooner rather than later.
“The second car will be of great benefit to our team. Double the laps equals double the data, and hopefully corporate branding with double exposure. It would sure make us an even bigger threat in the Direct Mining & Industrial Summer Slam.”
In the meantime, Daniel is getting to pass on some of his racing knowledge to Lisa before she hits the loud pedal.
“It might sound odd but I watch lots of crashes, and I learn what they did wrong! I believe you become a better driver from this. I’ve told Lisa to be patient, the track isn’t going anywhere and she has got nothing to prove to anyone. If she’s unsure she can lift, roll back around and go again!”
Lisa’s journey to the driver’s seat was given an early boost at her birthday party, where friends and family from the drag racing community pitched in to present her with a $3500 voucher for Rocket Industries.
“Thank you to everybody for making my 30th birthday a night to remember,” she said. “The voucher will go towards buying all the safety gear needed to go racing!”
Lisa’s journey to the driver’s seat was given an early boost at her birthday party, where friends and family from the drag racing community pitched in to present her with a $3500 voucher for Rocket Industries.
“Thank you to everybody for making my 30th birthday a night to remember,” she said. “The voucher will go towards buying all the safety gear needed to go racing!”
Any businesses interested in joining the team and helping bring the second car to the track can contact Daniel on 0402068309.
