Fast rising Canadian Pro Mod class entity Paolo Giust made a very solid first impression last weekend with his all new supercharged 2015 Corvette C7…..
The Osgoode Ontario-based racer took a car literally from the manufacturer to the drag strip to begin what promises to be a very topical season development for Canadian drag racing.
Giust, was in action during the PDRA’s second event of the 2015 season held at fabled Rockingham Dragway in North Carolina. Paolo entered the all new car built by G-Force Race Cars within that event’s Pro Boost class, one of three Pro Mod categories that the PDRA runs on a 1/8th mile basis during each of it’s events.
The new Corvette C7 owned by Paolo & Shannon Giust was impressive in it’s debut last weekend!
“Yes – the car was pretty much still warm from the shop when we got here,” Paolo laughed. “We fired the car up back at G-Force on Wednesday night at 11 PM for the first time — and then we loaded it in the trailer. We then drove all night and got here (to Rockingham) at noon on Thursday.”
While admitting that the team’s initial event intentions were to be more of a shakedown nature — the car in fact came around so quickly that Paolo and his team actually qualified — and qualified solidly.
They got into the swift 16-car program with a 3.961 secs (#15 ) and then ran an even quicker 3.942 secs during a round one loss to Kevin Riverbank. And all of that holds well for the future.
“Coming here our attitude was to be more of test and tune and see where we are at and go from there,” Paulo continued. “So in the end I’m pretty happy with the ways things went given this is the first time the race car has ever seen a drag strip.”
Paolo Giust
Giust’s car is for sure a technical marvel. It is a ultra light weight machine which features titanium and carbon fibre in almost every nook and cranny.
“It’s a work of art — that’s all I can say,” Paolo continued. “The objective building this car was to make it as light as possible in every way. Jim Salemi and G-Force Race Cars did a totally awesome job. They are the best in the business and that’s why I went with them. They are great people to work with and the support they offer is ongoing.”
Paolo’s new Corvette also includes some significant engine upgrades. The only thing carried forward from last season’s machine was the engine block which has now been significantly updated by M.S.R. and Resolution Racing Services, including new NRE Blackhawk cylinder heads and a Chuck Ford supercharger program, amongst other changes.
Jon (left) and Jim Salemi have both played intricate roles in the new Corvette C7
“I feel fortunate to be where I am and it would have been impossible without the support of the Salemis (Jim and Jon) and my dedicated crew guys, Jamie and Joe,” Giust added.
Almost a year from concept to reality — the Corvette C7 final product is also at the suggestion of Paolo’s wife Shannon who has been a Corvette lover for many years. “Originally it was going to be a Camaro,” he revealed, “But Shannon wanted another Corvette — and as it turns out that was the best decision we could have made!”
The Corvette body also has some Canadian content within it’s design too. It is in fact one of the very creative and exclusive bodies fabricated and manufactured by Ontario’s Tim Hodgins (Cynergy Composites) — available through Tim McAmis race cars.
While Giust’s exact plans for 2015 racing dates are still somewhat to be determined — we can confirm that additional PDRA events in the USA are a focus as well as some planned appearances in Canada within the new Ultimate Challenge drag racing series this summer.
Paolo and Shannon fund their terrific racing operation from their highly successful Ottawa-area Pet Supply business. You can learn more about that company at : www.Chew-That.ca
Post and photos by Bruce Biegler
