Rapisarda Racing have slotted into sixth spot after the opening day of qualifying for the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals at Norwalk Ohio.
The team making their first appearance at the iconic venue battled with sweltering track temperatures that hit 151F to post an opening run of 4.08/270 mp/h, good for ninth spot in the 16 car -field. A superb performance considering the car dropped a cylinder 2.1 seconds into the run.
Then on a more user friendly track after dusk, the team ran a slick 3.91/301 mph lap to cement sixth place ahead of NHRA royalty Spencer Massey, Morgan Lucas and fellow Aussie, Dave Grubnic. A slight oil down by the Rapisarda missile at the end of the run caused a minor clean up, by the Safety Safari however under NHRA rules the time stands although a financial penalty is expected.
“It was a good day for the boys.” said team owner Santo Rapisarda. “We keep chipping away and for the second week in a row we have qualified with a personal best. Today’s weather was as tough as we have experienced since we started racing here in America. We can’t be complacent going into the second day of qualifying but its much better to be sixth than outside the field looking in.”
