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Melanie Simmons Salemi Moves to Pro Boost in 2015
PITTSBORO, N.C. January 13,
2015: Canadian-turned-New Yorker, Melanie Simmons Salemi, will be pulling the
next gear in her racing career, moving from Top Dragster to Pro Boost in 2015.
Pro Boost quickly became one of the most sought after classes in the PDRA, among
racers and fans alike. The class has had only one female competitor (Carol Long)
prior to Melanie campaigning in the PDRA 2015 season.
The 30 year old is teaming up with fellow
Canadian and Pro Boost racer, Jay Santos. Both Salemi and Santos will have new
‘69 Camaros for the 2015 season built by Melanie’s brother-in-law, Jim Salemi
who owns G-Force Race Cars.
“Jay Santos gave me some
financial sponsorship help over the last few years with my Top Dragster,”
explained Salemi. “My husband, Jon, actually tunes his Pro Boost car. He’ll be
tuning both our cars next season.”
Besides pulling tuning duties
Jon Salemi also owns Resolution Racing Services. Melanie works alongside Jon,
handling the books for his business and also runs the office at G-Force Race
Cars. With both career and personal life revolving around drag racing, Melanie
also balances her time as stepmom to Jon’s children, both of which are
passionate about racing and are already getting their feet wet in Junior
Dragsters, where Melanie herself got her start.
Melanie’s father has always
played a big part in her racing career and will continue to be a part of her
career as she transitions to Pro Boost. “My father has always been my crew
chief. If he wasn’t for him I wouldn’t even be in drag racing, but it’s become
my passion and basically my life now. I’m working with race cars every day. My
stepmom, Sue, is kind of like our team organizer. She holds us together at the
races, making sure we’re all happy. Mike Stawicki of MSR Performance will be
providing our horsepower and building our engines.”
With her likeable personality, passion for the sport, and gender marketability,
Melanie has quite an impressive list of partners on board her Pro Boost entry.
“We have had an outstanding amount of support from Delta Faucet Canada, Brampton
Pallet Inc., NGK Spark Plugs, Resolution Racing Services, G-Force Race Cars
Inc., MSR Performance, Jackson Transportation Systems, ERD, Auto Sense Auto
Parts, Auto Logic Service Expert, Castrol, Flatout Gaskets, and RS Performance
Auto Service.
“We probably won’t test until the springtime,” Melanie added. “There are some
things that need to be finished on the car. Once both of the cars are complete
then we’ll be able to do some testing. It will be a pretty cool experience I
think. I know I have a lot to learn, but I have some of the best guys in drag
racing behind me and helping me out. I’ll take things slow and make sure that I
do everything comfortably and safely.”
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