John Scialpi Profile:

Woppado 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

For John Scialpi racing is the only way to happiness. A former telecommunications employee, Scialpi changed his job title to Professional Drag Racer over a decade ago and has not looked back since. In the wake of his career change, Scialpi has managed to center his life in the midst of Pro-Modified Drag Racing. In addition to owning the worlds quickest and fastest Steel Bodied 57 Chevrolet, Scialpi builds engines and Chassis for his competition. Danny Rowe is one such competitor who has received assistance from Scialpi on his engine program. With help from Scialpi and Woppado Racing clutch specialist Doug Stewart, Rowe became the 2000 West Coast Pro Mod Association Champion.
Scialpi has enjoyed success in Australia, as well as in America. In 1998, he took on Australian super star and fellow 57 Chevrolet owner Victor Bray in several of the Top Doorslammer Rounds. Scialpi is a racers racer. He builds what he sells, and he runs what he sells in his own car. Often times, the good natured Italian will assist a fellow competitor at the expense of his own success, but that's just the way he is.

Out of necessity, Scialpi has risen to the occasion of building his own cars and engines. He knows the ins and outs of a Pro Mod car like no other competitor. After a short tenure as a fabricator for Gary Hansen Race Cars, Scialpi went into business for himself building race cars. Soon afterward, clients began to ask for assistance with engines. Scialpi has extensive knowledge of Supercharged Engines of all types as he started out on the streets where you have to drive your car to the race, race it, then drive it home. For the better part of the last 20 years, Scialpi has been advancing and refining his recipes of Supercharged Big Block Chevy engine combinations. Currently, his engines produce over 2100 Horsepower using Methanol for fuel. Scialpi has found the key to success, as his engines are renown for not being Hand Grenades. Typically they need only minor maintenance.

Scialpi is also a fierce competitor on the WCPMA tour. He won the series in 1996 and 1997. In 2001 and 2003 Scialpi finished in the number 2 position behind Andy Neyer and Glen Kerunsky respecively. He is well known for leaving the line ahead of the competition and outrunning them to the finish line. Fans enjoy Scialpi's tremendous burnouts.

The stats:

Owner: John Scialpi
Driver: John Scialpi
Age: 44
Occupation: Race Car Fabricator - Engine Builder
Hometown: West Covina, California
Started Racing: 1979
Nickname: Woppado Race Car: 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air
Car Name: Woppado
Engine: Woppado Racing 526 Cubic Inch Blown Chevrolet
Chassis: Woppado Racing 4130 Chrome Moly
Best E.T.: 6.38
Best Speed: 228.23
Crew Chief: Doug Stewart
Sponsors: JE Pistons, RedLine Oil, Childs&Albert
Support Crew: Curt Moore, Jayne, Kenneth, Johnny