What a difference a week makes! After the detonation of the Black Cat's 526 Hemi powered engine, things were looking pretty bleak for CCI Motorsports and their hopes of making an appearance at the NHRA Unleashed event coming up in Columbus, Ohio.

When we returned home from Maple Grove, the Buick was unloaded and the crew immediately got to work, deconstructing the engine and checking the car to the determine the extent of the damages. The run data indicated that the engine ran too lean. Further investigation revealed the number one cylinder pushed the head gasket and continued to fire slot the block and head, creating a hole the size of a half dollar. In addition, it collapsed three other pistons, broke a set of lifters, damaged the cam, bent the intake rocker shafts and torched a hole almost halfway through the motor plate.

It was obvious Frankie would not be grilling weenies this Labor Day weekend. Instead, he took this as an opportunity to tweak the engine combination, changing out a few components to try and improve the engine's performance. After numerous phone calls and discussions with engine experts, the Black Cat has been outfitted with a new crankshaft, rods, camshaft and lifters.

Brad Anderson repaired the damaged head and Gil Davis repaired and machined the block. While the engine was in pieces across the country, we sent the car itself to Ernie Cox of Christiana Auto Body for a mid-season facelift.

At this point, after a grueling three day engine rebuild marathon in Frankies Speed Shop, it's looking like a go for launch for Team CCI and the Black Cat in Columbus this coming weekend. Thank you all, who helped make this happen.

After collecting more run data from MIR, Frank and team were ready to seriously dial in the Bad Black Buick. We had the benefit of test runs at Friday's test and tune prior to the race day qualifying and eliminations set for Saturday at Maple Grove Raceway. With the help of fellow racer Chris Russo, who was not competing this weekend, along with hired gun Jon Salemi www.resolutionracing.com, the team looked forward to going rounds at Saturday's Rumble at the Grove.

The Friday test pass data suggested that the Buick Pro Mod wasn't putting out the horsepower it was last season.

After several consistent mid-6 second runs, all indications were that the 526 Brad Hemi was running flat. Jon Salemi had his work cut out for him to pick up the pace.

Nick Montana, of Montana Brothers Race Cars recommended some changes in the suspension, which vastly improved the handling of the car on the track. Thank you, Nick, for lending a hand! This, coupled with jet, timing and other adjustments, allowed us to clock in a 6.336 @ 225.86 mph run landing us in the ladder at the number five spot for eliminations.

Pitted against Steve King and his beautiful navy blue Camaro in round one, Jon Salemi had the Buick screaming, running harder than ever. This proved to be too much for the supercharged powerhouse and eventual winner in the supercharged class, we ended up blowing a head gasket after posting a 6.35 second 207 mph pass.


Fire erupted in the engine compartment of the "Black Cat" and Maple Grove's Safety Team were right there to extinguish what could have been a devastating inferno.

For now, it's back to Frankie's Speed Shop where the Buick will be broken down, checked over, cleaned up and put back together again, hopefully; in time for the NHRA Unleashed event scheduled for 9/10/10 in Hebron, Ohio.

See More Buick Pro Mod Photos At www.goDragRacing.org Photo Gallery

This weekend's entourage included visitors and family members:
Jon Salemi and Fifi Montrond comparing tuning notes.
Richard Dixon enjoyed some rare "down time" between rounds with Jon Salemi.
Chris' cousin Melissa with boyfriend Ray came by to see the show.
Gerry Capano with crew chief Sandy "Buzzy" McClain.
Derrick Townes with crew chief Chris Johnson.
Frankie with Steve King.
O'Hare's crew chief, Bernie "Mac" Day with Pete Farber.

The third time out for CCI Motorsports did not turn out to be a charm, as the old saying goes.

In fact, the Black Cat continued to dance all over the track at Maryland International Raceway this weekend as we struggled with getting the tune up right.
Work on the Lenco transmission and adjustments to the Pro Mod four-link suspension were not enough to keep the 57 Buick planted on the asphalt and moving fast. We did qualify with a 6.28 second 226 mph pass, but ended up shaking the tires in the first round.

Look for us in two weeks at the Rumble in the Grove!

CCI Motorsports was invited to participate in the 30th Annual Super Chevy Show at Maple Grove July 16th through 18th for one of the most anticipated Chevy Events of the summer.

Nestled in the hills of southeastern, PA among the cows, cornfields and rolling farmland, Maple Grove Raceway was inundated with Chevrolets from all over the county for their annual swap meet, classic car competition and drag race.

Only our second time out, the Black Cat had new sneakers all the way around. In spite of the sweltering heat and HOT HOT HOT track temperatures; we were able to lay down a respectable 6.28 second exhibition pass under tricky track conditions.

Larry Plummer in Bruce Pullen's attractive Firebird also ran in the exhibition class along side us in a match race duel of the supercharged 1320 warriors. Team CCI Motorsports ran in a session all to ourselves with Plummer / Pullen, equaling two qualifiers and three rounds for our belt driven horespower induced fans.

Dina Parise "Parise Racing" in the "Wounded Warriors Project" Corvette held the prestigious number one qualifier position for the weekend only to fall in the final to Jim Barker "Barker Racing" who backs up his earlier race win at Atco.

Chris Russo and crew, Fredy "The Sorcerer" Scriba, along with twenty four other racers rounded out the two classes of Blower vs. Turbo, and Nitrous alone with Gary Courtier who drew a red light in the final against eventual winner and number one qualifier Ed Burnley in this field of awesome machines for Northeast Outlaw Pro Mod Association's weekend of power added excitement of wild doorslammer action.

The Northeast Outlaw Pro Mod Association team of John Mazzarano, Vito Micciolo and friends all did an excellent job negotiating on behalf of the racers to ensure an enjoyable, safe series.

Frank spent time interviewing for BulletVision with Rockin' Rob Cherkas during the event at Maple Grove Raceway. The Northeast Outlaw Pro Mod Association interviews and tapes shows from their races for internet viewing to the mass public of the events held during the season.

Meet "Mad Max", our newest addition to CCI Motorsports, models the latest eyewear from Oakley; lounging in the cool AC of our Star Transporters hauler.

Next up for CCI Motorsports and the Big, Bad, Blown 57 Buick Pro Mod is Atco Raceway's 50th Year celebration on Wednesday, 4th August 2010. Come out and party with us!

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