Personal Information

Name:
Location:
Age:
Birthday:
 

 Paul Valente

 Bethlehem, NY

26

4/12/81

Vehicle Information

Year:
Model:
Racing Class:
Best ET:
Best MPH:

Engine Builder:

Block:
Displacement:
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Camshaft:
Connecting Rods:
Pistons:
Compression Ratio:
Cylinder Heads:
Rocker Arms:
Intake Manifold:
Injectors / Carb:
Fuel Pump:
Throttle Body:

Power Adder:

Transmission:
Clutch / Converter:

Rearend:

Engine Management:
Ignition:
Gauges:

Chassis Shop:

K-Member:
Front Springs:
Struts:
Front Wheels:
Front Tires:
Front Brakes:

Traction Devices:
Rear Springs:
Rear Shocks:
Rear Wheels:
Rear Tires:
Rear Brakes:
 

‘72

Datsun Truck

Super Eliminator

9.55

137

Valente Family

Dart Small Block Chevy

406

Callies

Comp Cams (PMR Grind)

Oliver

JE SRP

12..5-1

AFR 210

Crower

Edelbrock

Holley Dominator (PMR prepared)

Mallory 140

N/A

C12 Racing Gas

Powerglide

TCP 9”

9” Ford, 4.56

N/A

MSD 7AL

Autometer

Henry Huard (of H&H Transmissions) built it in 1985, Pete Sanca

put a cage in it in early 2005

Weld Racing

Moroso DS2

Wilwood

Ladder Bars

AVO

Weld Racing

Mickey Thompson

Mark Williams

Racing Accomplishments

2007 Lebanon Valley Super Pro Point Champion, 300 foot wheelie at Maple Grove without crashing

Sponsors

H&H Transmissions, PMR Performance, TCP Torque Converters

Questions

How long have you been drag racing?  3 years full time, Part time since I was 17.  Got my license when I was 17 in Dave Miller’s Chevy powered Dodge Dart.

How did you get your start?   Made a run in the Datsun when I was 17, crewed for Dave Sottile for 9 years. Before that, spectator from 86-89 (I was 5 in 1986), my father ran a ’48 Anglia in Super Pro (talk about a wheelie machine!).

What’s been the biggest challenge to your racing program this season?  Compared to last season?  The 2007 season went very well for me.  My reaction times weren’t always there, but the dial was almost always on.

 What would you consider your biggest accomplishments as a racer?  Winning the 2007 Super Pro points championship

What’s gotten you hooked on the drag racing scene?   What are your plans for the future?   Being there with my friends has me hooked, without them I don’t know if I’d race.

What advice would you give to someone looking to start out?    Find a good used race car because the car builder takes the biggest financial hit.  Become friends with good racers and listen to their advice.

Who are your biggest friends (or enemies) at the track?  Dave Sottile (Daco) and his family,  Grant Nichols and his family, Brian Hallenbeck, Dave “Boney” Marone,  Bill Horton, Jeff Tisdale, Jimmy Harrison.

Who do you fear having to see at the starting line?  Why? Not really

Very briefly, tell me the dumbest mistake you've ever made at the race track?  I gave away the finish line at the IHRA national at New England Dragway.  I had a .020 light to his .150

Anyone you’d like to thank, wives you HAVE to thank, other things not mentioned you feel are important?  My parents for being there for me, Grant Nichols and Dave Sottile and my father for helping me get where I am at as a racer.

What music do you listen to?  Who’s your favorite?   New Rock, Old Rock, Country.  

Any nick names for you?  None I know of, I can only imagine what some may call me at times…

Do you have any pets?   No

Do you have Kids?   No

What do you like to do as a hobby outside of drag racing?   Having fun…

What track do you dislike the most?  Never been to a place I disliked

Which is your favorite track to race on?  I’ve never raced there, but ATCO is an awesome place to race.

Do you have a lucky charm?  What is it?    No

If you could meet anybody you wanted living or not who would it be?  Why .   Underdog

Any additional comments?  I’d like to thank the late Vince Barletta for re-vamping Lebanon Valley Dragway in 1994 into the facility it is today.  I wouldn’t be racing if it wasn’t for him.