Sir Thomas Inc.

Mel Bush Motorsports and Driver Tommy D'Aprile Look To Build on Recent Performance Heading to The NHRA Virginia Nationals

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 23:27:02 -0500

Elma, NY -- FIVE POINT NINE FIVE!! That's what the scoreboards read at the sixth annual Shakedown at E-Town after Mel Bush Motorsports Driver Tommy D'Aprile took the "Big Red Boat" down the E-Town 1320. A five second run that many, at the beginning of the season, thought could never happen.

"That's thanks to Mike Janis, Kevin Peters and the entire team over at Jan-Cen Motorsports," said an elated team owner, Mel Bush referring to the 5.955 pass from his driver. "I'm so glad to be associated with Mike and the guys. Not just because of the performance, but because they are genuine people and they are extremely dedicated," added Bush.

D'Aprile's Final Round Appearance Moves Mel Bush Motorsports to Second on IHRA Points Ladder

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:24:32 -0500

Grand Bend, ON, CA. – Team Owner Mel Bush used every aspect of his team to get his driver, Tommy D'Aprile, into the finals at the recently completed Mopar Canadian Nationals in Grand Bend, Ontario, Canada.

"Everyone on this team did their jobs to the highest level. Tommy did one hell of a job behind the wheel and my crew along with the guys from Jan-Cen Motorsports are second to none. I've been around this sport for a lot of years and to see how well these guys work under pressure is amazing," said Bush.

D'Aprile qualified Bush's unique '62 Bel Air in the number two spot with a 6.044 at over 237 miles per hour pairing him with Thomas Patterson. Patterson, from Spring, Texas, qualified his '70 Dodge Charger in the tenth spot with 6.201 elapsed time. D'Aprile took an incredible starting line advantage posting a .006 reaction time. D'Aprile needed every bit of his starting line advantage to take the win as he ran into mechanical troubles 320 feet before the finish line. Patterson posted a slightly quicker elapsed time of 6.232 to D'Aprile's 6.233 but D'Aprile took the hole shot win.

Between rounds the Mel Bush Motorsports' pit was a hive of activity as the team frantically prepared their wounded machine for round two. Kevin Peters, of Jan-Cen Motorsports, explained the situation. "We are having a slight ignition problem. It started at the last race and the travel between races made it next to impossible to properly diagnose. The same thing happened here and I think we now have an idea of the cause. We'll investigate this situation more at the shop but right now it's about getting her ready for next round," said Peters.

D'Aprile's Semi-Final Finish Moves Mel Bush Motorsports into Top Five With a Track ET Record to Boot

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:06:06 -0500

Edmonton, Al, CA. – While plagued by rain the 2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series, CARS RV & Marine & Motorsports Rocky Mountain Nationals presented by TORCO Racing Fuels will be a bright spot in now veteran driver, Tommy D'Aprile's career.

On D'Aprile's first qualifying attempt he was able to lay down a 6.235 e.t. at just over 230 miles per hour. That run held D'Aprile throughout a rain shortened qualifying and place him fifth on the eliminations ladder.

With corrected altitudes ranging from 3,500 feet above sea level to just over 5,500 feet it's easy to see why performance would drop off in such thin air but don't tell that to Castrol Raceway's new Pro Mod Track Elapsed Time Record Holder, Tommy D'Aprile. In round one D'Aprile faced off with mentor and former boss, Quain Stott. D'Aprile took nearly a three-hundredths advantage on the tree and powered down the Edmonton quarter mile setting a new track elapsed time record of 6.096. D'Aprile's mile an hour of 233.76 on the same run held as Top Speed of the Meet.

Round two was slowed by rain but D'Aprile showed his 6.09 was no fluke by defeating Jason Stock with a 6.136 at 225.37. The win over Stock was a costly one as a wounded piston forced the Mel Bush Motorsports team into overdrive between rounds rebuilding the Jan-Cen Hemi in just 35 minutes.

Bush and D'Aprile Take Wild Rides En Route To Early Exits From President's Cup Nationals

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:17:00 -0500

BUDDS CREEK, Md. – After ending a memorable qualifying session in the top position and claiming his first Last Man Standing bonus of the season, Tommy D'Aprile and the Mel Bush Motorsports team were riding high but that all changed on Sunday.

During Friday night's qualifying session D'Aprile posted a phenomenal 6.042 pass at just over 236 miles per hour. The pass held through the session handing Bush and D'Aprile their first Last Man Standing award. Due to inclement weather Saturday's qualifying was cut short. With no one besting D'Aprile's time in the three prior sessions D'Aprile claimed his first number one qualifier of the 2008 season.

Bush and D'Aprile Hope to Build on Recent Performance at President's Cup Nationals

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:44:26 -0500

Elma, NY– 6.03 with an eight. Yep that's what the clocks said. A 6.03 from a squared nosed 62 Bel-Air. According to tuner Mike Janis there's more to come. "Believe it or not this car has the potential to become a five second car," said Janis. "We're still creeping up on her and giving her what she wants. It takes time to settle in on what a car wants and both Mel and Tommy have given us the time and space to find out what she likes. It's a very comfortable feeling racing with those guys," added Janis.

Team owner and Top Sportsman driver Mel Bush knows that his Pro Mod has outperformed many people's expectations, but with the hotter weather coming in he knows his driver needs to be on his game as well.

Bush and D'Aprile Take Early Exits From Motor City Nationals

Tue, 27 May 2008 09:34:14 -0500

MILAN, Mich. – The IHRA Motor City Nationals had some high points for both Mel Bush Motorsports team drivers, but it's an event they would rather put behind them. Although both drivers, Mel Bush (Top Sportsman) and Tommy D'Aprile (Pro Mod), qualified well they both ended up losing in their respective classes in the first round.

Team owner and Top Sportsman driver, Mel Bush qualified his nitrous-assisted 62 Bel-Air ninth in the 30-car Top Sportsman field with a 6.877 at 201.61. Bush faced the 23rd qualifier, Hamilton, Ohio's Mike Bloomfield and his 08' Chevy Cobalt in round one. Both drivers red lit, but Bush was first to go red handing the win to Bloomfield. "The rule is first or worst when it comes to fouls. I was first," said Bush. "When your bracket racing your reaction time can win or lose you the race I took a shot at the tree and it didn't work. That's racing."

D'Aprile Looking to Climb Points Ladder at Wheel of Mel Bush's Fan Favorite 62' Bel Air

Wed, 21 May 2008 09:26:57 -0500

Elma, NY– Mel Bush Motorsports and their Blown 62' Bel Air are outperforming many race fans expectations. Driver Tommy D'Aprile, who sits fourth in Torco CompetitionPlus.com Pro Modified points, pilots Mel Bush's fan favorite Bel Air, a car many see as the most non-aerodynamic car on the IHRA trail.

"I bet our performance as of late has a lot of people eating their words," said Mel Bush Motorsports Pro Mod driver, Tommy D'Aprile. "Mel and Joanne have put together a great team and Mike (Janis) and the crew at Jan-Cen Motorsports do a great job in preparing the car. It's a total pleasure to be part of this team and I feel we have good shot at moving up in the points at Milan."

D'Aprile Takes Mel Bush Motorsports To Semifinals At IHRA Knoll Gas Nitro Jam Spring Nationals

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:53:56 -0500

ROCKINGHAM, NC– Consistent low six-second elapsed times and a quarterfinal finish has the 2006 IHRA Pro Rookie of the Year, Tommy D’Aprile saying, “The Boy’s are Back In Town!”

“I’m sure there are a lot of people out there who thought this car could never be competitive,” said Mel Bush Motorsports Pro Mod driver Tommy D’Aprile. I bet they aren’t saying that now.” Seven consistent passes with a best of 6.050 at 234.37 is what gives this now veteran driver something to crow about. “ Mel and Joanne Bush have put together a fantastic team and I’m happy to be a part of it. My guys and Mike Janis’ crew have been working well together,” said D’Aprile.

D’Aprile qualified the Mel Bush and Sons backed supercharged 62’ Bel-Air in the number four position pairing him in round one with the number 12 qualifier Burton Auxier. D’Aprile posted a 6.077 elapsed time in the win over Auxier’s nitrous assisted entry. D’Aprile’s competition in round two would be none other than his former mentor Quain Stott. “Quain gave me my start and I’ll forever be grateful but this team is here to win no matter who we face,” said D’Aprile.

D'Aprile picks up where he left off

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:11:45 -0500

New team tests before Rockingham

MOORESVILLE, NC - Tommy D'Aprile finished his 2006 rookie NitroJam season in fifth place. Now he starts the year in the same position and has high hopes for a strong season. The Port Charlotte Florida resident spent the past several days testing with the Mel Bush and Sons Construction backed team.

D'Aprile took the Mike Janis tuned entry to the quarter finals at the season opening race in San Antonio. He qualified the '63 Chevy Bel Air in the 12th position.

"We've been testing the past several days here in the North Carolina area," D'Aprile said. "We had hoped to do a little better in San Antonio. We're not going to beat ourselves up too much." D'Aprile's huge hole shot advantage in his quarter final match up with Jason Hamstra wasn't enough to overcome the tire shaking ride he experienced.

"Life is going to give you lemons," D'Aprile said. "You have to quit crying and make lemonade."

"We've got a great car, a great team and two of the best guys in the business in Mel (team owner Mel Bush) and Mike (crew chief Mike Janis)," D'Aprile added. "We're all expecting some great things in Rockingham. We love working late on Sunday, it means were going rounds and that's what it takes to win a championship."

D'Aprile and the Pro Modified '63 Chevy Bel Air will begin qualifying attempts at the Rockingham Dragway Friday and continue Saturday with eliminations beginning Sunday, April 20.

D'Aprile pilots Mel Bush - Mike Janis prepared Pro Mod in 2008

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:58:36 -0500

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Tommy D'Aprile, 2006 IHRA Pro Rookie of the Year, will be competing for the 2008 IHRA Pro Modified Championship behind the wheel of a Mel Bush - Mike Janis prepared 1962 Chevy Bel Air.

After sitting out 2007, D'Aprile is looking forward to getting back on the track. "I sat out a year, because I wasn't going to race against Quain [former teammate Stott]," D'Aprile explained. "I can't thank Quain enough. He gave me my first opportunity to go out there and be real competitive from the start. When I lost my sponsorship in 2007, it just wouldn't have been right to race against him that following season. When Mel [Bush] approached me last season about driving for him in 2008 I couldn't pass up this great chance."

D'Aprile and Stott run Outlaw's out of Bradenton

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 16:19:00 -0500

BRADENTON, Fla. Tommy D'Aprile and Quain Stott teamed up again this past weekend for the Outlaw Snowbird Nationals. If you expect outlaws to change their ways, well, you better wait pray for another day.

D'Aprile and Stott continued the tandem one - two punch they started in 2006 when Stott finished number one in the world in IHRA Pro Modified racing and D'Aprile finished with Pro Rookie honors and number five in the world. That same season, D'Aprile and Stott ended up in the winner's circle together with a runner-up and win in Maryland. The results in Bradenton seemed like a bad re-run for teams not driving a Corvette driven by either D'Aprile or Stott who made it to the finals again.

D'Aprile took his Access Able Mobility / Sir Thomas, Inc. Racing 1963 split-window Corvette to a runner-up finish. "I knew we were at a disadvantage going into that final round," explained D'Aprile. "My car still needs a few more parts to be totally ready to go outlaw racing. But went to the line set on kill. Unfortunately we just blew the tires off of the car."

Outlaws headed for Bradenton - D'Aprile among them

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 15:13:30 -0500

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Nothing will heat up a cool winter like a trip south. If sunny Florida isn't enough to heat up your winter, then the Bradenton Motorsports Park will turn up the heat more when they host the Outlaw Snowbird Nationals November 30 - December 2. Top Outlaw Pro Modified teams are expected to compete at the annual thriller. Tommy D'Aprile and his Access Able Mobility / Sir Thomas, Inc. 1963 split window Corvette will make the short haul from the Port Charlotte race shop and be among the top contenders.

"We're definitely excited about competing in this event," D'Aprile said. "My old teammate and friend Quain Stott will join us to tune the car. Right now this car is pretty much a legal car. We've got a lot of parts and a new blower ordered. We'll be ready for outlaw racing no matter where we decided to race."

D'Aprile has been sought after as a driver since his 2006 Pro Rookie Driver of the Year award and fifth place finish in IHRA Pro Modified competition. Many people continue to speculate about D'Apirle's plans for the 2008 season, but he chooses to keep most of his plans quiet for now.

D'Aprile treks to Eastern Race Fuels Dragstock IV

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:29:13 -0500

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (September 14, 2007) - Tommy D'Aprile, IHRA's 2006 Pro Rookie of the Year, will make his second ADRL appearance this weekend at the Eastern Race Fuels Dragstock IV event in Rockingham, September 14-15. In 2006, Dragstock produced one of the largest crowds in the history of Rockingham Dragway.

D'Aprile will pilot his Sir Thomas Inc. / Access Able Mobility 1963 split-window Corvette. He debuted the Vanishing Point built Corvette earlier this year and made a semi-final appearance at the Camp Motorsport Georgia Drags in Valdosta, Georgia.

D'Aprile back on track in Epping

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 12:45:28 -0500

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Tommy D'Aprile, fifth in IHRA Pro Modified points in 2006 and fresh off of his appearance on the popular TLC show Miami Ink, will race this weekend at the Amalie Oil North American Nationals contested at the New England Dragway, August 10-12. The one race partnership will put the 2006 Pro Rookie Driver of the Year behind the wheel of the Thomas Zarella owned Camaro tuned by Dan Page of Dan Page Race Cars. Zarella purchased the race-proven Vanashing Point 1968 Camaro from John Russo.

"I can't thank Thomas and Dan enough for the opportunity," said D'Aprile. "I'm excited about getting out there and mixing it up with the rest of the Pro Mods."

Last season, D'Aprile drove the team car for Quain Stott Drag Racing and made a semi-final appearance at Epping. "It's a great track," said D'Aprile. "I had some success there last year, hopefully I can provide a promising weekend for this team."

Tune in for D'Aprile on Miami Ink

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 16:20:31 -0500

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - The popular TV show Miami Ink will feature Pro Modified standout Tommy D'Aprile in the episode airing Tuesday, July 24 at 10PM EST on the TLC channel (check listings for local times).

D'Aprile, the 2006 IHRA Pro Rookie of the Year will get a tattoo on the popular show during the season's second episode. "The tattoo is something I wanted to do to promote the sport and promote my faith," D'Aprile said. D'Aprile was the 2006 teammate to the LeeBoy Equipment Corvette driven by 2006 IHRA Pro Modified World Champion Quain Stott.

When asked to compare filming a segment for TV and drag racing, D'Aprile was quick to respond. "It's a lot like drag racing in that the filming for the TV show started about 6AM and ended about 9PM. It was an all day process to film a small bit. So, it's a lot like working on a car all day for about 12 seconds of racing. The Miami experience was pretty exciting."