12/02/2003

CICCONI CHRISTOPHER TEAM UP FOR ATLANTIC CITY

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - Just call them One Tough Team.

Supermodified standout Lou Cicconi Jr. and asphalt Modified superstar Ted Christopher have banded together to make a formidable two-car assault on the Atlantic City Indoor Race, scheduled for Jan. 9-10 at the seaside resort's famed Boardwalk Hall.

Cicconi, a star of last January's Indoor Race before crashing out of the A-Main, recently agreed to supply Christopher a TQ Midget for the 2004 version of the popular event. The deal was clinched when Christopher promised to give Cicconi a shot at driving one of his SK Modifieds at Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway sometime in 2004.

"We really got to know each other during [January's] Atlantic City race," Cicconi said of his relationship with Christopher. "We got to talking about trading rides some day, so we thought the Indoor Race would be the place to start."

The arrangement was attractive to both drivers for clear reasons. Christopher dearly wanted to drive a TQ Midget in next month's Indoor Race rather than the 600cc Micro-Sprint he ran in January, and Cicconi craved an opportunity to climb behind the wheel of an asphalt Modified for the first time in his career.

"We're both happy with this deal," said Christopher, the 2001 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series national champion.

Christopher, 45, of Plainville, Conn., entered January's Indoor Race in a Micro owned by New Englander Jeff Preece. He struggled all day with handling and brake problems before spinning out of contention in the C-Main.

"I want to do better than I did [in January]," said the ultra-competitive Christopher, who was the Northeast's winningest asphalt Modified driver in 2003 with 15 victories to his credit. "I feel teaming up with Lou is my best chance to win. He has great equipment, a lot of indoor [racing] experience and knows these TQs inside and out, so I know all I have to do is get in and drive it."

This event will mark Christopher's second career start in a TQ Midget. He last drove one of the roadsters in a 1994 race at the New Haven (Conn.) Coliseum.

Christopher's ride will be the No. 59 TQ Midget that Bob Cicconi, Lou's older brother, qualified for January's A.C. Indoor Race A-Main. Bolted inside will be the same engine that Lou used to win several indoor TQ events several years ago at the Niagara Falls Convention Center. Bob Cicconi, a former winner of the A.C. Indoor Race, came out of retirement to race last January but apparently will remain on the sidelines next month. Lou, who owns the car, said his sibling understands the situation.

"He knows I enjoy racing more than he does right now," commented Cicconi. "I'm doing this deal with Teddy because it will give me a chance to race an asphalt Modified, and Bobby said that's an opportunity I can't pass up."

Cicconi, 39, of Aston, Pa., is eager to make amends for his heartbreaking performance on the Atlantic City concrete last January. He was charging through the A-Main field following an early spin when he smacked the turn-two wall and was eliminated.

"That was real disappointing," said Cicconi, a regular on the International Supermodified Association tour. "It was very frustrating to have such a good car but fall short."

But Cicconi knows he put on a great show.

"It made me feel good when I got out of the car [after crashing] and everybody was cheering for me," he said. "That made me feel like they appreciated how hard I ran."

Cicconi will go to the post next month in the same bright-colored No. 75 that he ran in A.C. earlier this year. He's completely overhauled the machine over the past few months.

"I'd like to believe we have the top team [in the event]," said Cicconi. "I know we have two good cars, and I know Teddy is a hard racer and is always tough to beat."

Cicconi paused, and then added with a smile, "All we have to see is if I'm gonna move over for him, or he's gonna move over for me."

*****

The 2004 installment of the Atlantic City Indoor Race will feature two full nights of racing competition.

The Fri., Jan. 9, program will see the top-40 drivers from time trials compete in four heats, two consolations and a 30-lap feature. Time trials are scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. and the first green flag will fly at 8 p.m.

Another round of time trials will be contested on Saturday afternoon, with all drivers getting a chance to race on Boardwalk Hall's concrete oval. A format of A-B-C-D-E mains will be utilized, with the 50-lap A-Main topping the card. Race time is 6:30 p.m. Reserved-seat tickets are on sale through all Ticketmaster outlets. For more information call 609-888-3618.
*****
Northeastern Midget Association veteran Pete Pernesiglio of Ronkonkoma, N.Y., will be returning to the Atlantic City Indoor Race with two TQ Midgets.  Pernesiglio and Connecticut¹s Chris Derosier have entered a new Suzuki-powered car as well as a Rotax-powered machine. The pair had planned to make an assault on last January¹s Indoor Race in the Rotax mount, but the effort was cut short by the passing of Pernesiglio's maternal grandmother, Regina Buckley. Pernesiglio returns next month in hopes of dedicating a strong finish to his late grandmother. Pernesiglio, who drives for his father (also Pete), finished strong and wound up ninth in the final 2003 NEMA standings. He posted his third career win at Oxford Plains (Me.) Speedway.
*****
NEMA will also be represented at the Indoor Race by 2003 champion Joey Payne of Fairlawn, N.J., who will drive a new Shadow car for Brit Anderson of Branford, Conn.
*****
Lou Cicconi Jr. has announced that he is selling special American Racer indoor tires to all interested parties. Cicconi has two basic types of tires available: a 13-inch slick tire and a 10-inch treaded tire. Both come in dirt compounds.

"I can get enough to supply whoever needs them," said Cicconi. "At the track I'll be selling them on a first-come, first-serve basis."

Contact Cicconi at 610-496-6700 for more information.
*****
As of Monday the A.C. Indoor Race entry list had reached 40 cars.

Sources:  AARN/LongIslandJam.com
Posted:  January 6, 2004