Motorsports

Late entry no drag to him

At 49, David Scigliuto of Seminole is trying for a spot in the NHRA.

By BRANT JAMES, Times Staff Writer
Published November 3, 2007

SEMINOLE

David Scigliuto could look across his wooden desk, out onto Seminole Boulevard traffic, and wish he'd done this about a decade earlier. But the financial planner had taken until age 49 to get an opportunity that could turn a longtime hobby into a profession.

His success in the Summit Racing Series, a second-tier drag racing circuit - a Division 2 Super Pro championship over Kenneth Puffenburger Jr., of Bradenton - had earned him entry into any National Hot Rod Association event he wished next season. All he would need would be the sponsorship and team to compete in a series that would demand much more than his family team and back-office race shop could muster.

But there are no regrets, he said. He wasn't ready when he was 39 or 29. A drag racer can compete as long as his reflexes, and more important, he said, his mental control, are sharp. (Many drivers have raced and won in NHRA well into their 50s.) Now is his time and now he hopes to capitalize, competing in the NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif., this weekend.

"When I was in my 20s and 30s I was building a life," said Scigliuto (pronounced shoo-lee-OH-toe), who moved to Pinellas County from upstate New York in 1976. "I thought I'd get to drag racing when I can, but I'll build my life, take care of my family - that was more important to me - and if it got to a point where I could afford it, which all of a sudden happened because of my investments. I knew it was time."

Knifing pain prompted him to sell his golf clubs and softball cleats after those sports led to six herniated disks. So he turned to a sport that captured his imagination with his first race at age 12. He was fully hooked when his wife, Kecia, and daughters Nina, Samantha and Siena began racing - and winning - at the same events in other classifications.

"I devoted a little bit and I would go to money races and make a little money: $10-$20-$30,000 and we'd do very well, and our operation pays for itself because we win," he said. "I never put all my focal energy into it because I was spread out. So for the last four years, we've won three championships back to back, two track championships and the division championship."

Can you cut it at the next level?

I think we can whip them in the classes we run. We run Top Dragster, Super Comp, Super Pro. To get to the next level we need serious, serious corporate funding. I've had all my licenses for years but never really addressed it. (Wife) Kecia and I talked about it, (I'd) like to run Pro Stock. It's a 200-mph door-slammer. To me that's an easy ride; past that you're in imminent lethal danger.

Have you gotten any nibbles from prospective sponsors?

We have. If it's our time and we get the No.1 on our car, then we will pursue it more heavily. But I am going to pursue what we can get from the division championship. Making those drives, getting up in that very, very small group does so much.

Your daughters and wife have shown some aptitude for this. Would they stay involved?

I couldn't give up competing with my family.

What was it like when you knew you had won the region championship?

You go to these division races just hoping to win as many rounds as you can so your team can win, and then, just all of a sudden, this flash happens to you. It happened to me in the fifth round. I ran that round with a perfect run against a guy's perfect turn and I had a 10/1,000th on the tree (reaction time). When I got through the round I looked through the numbers and I was like, 'Oh my God.' I don't like playing it that close, so you're a 10/1,000th of a second from being out of the race (disqualified for a false start).' I don't want to be anywhere near that close, I felt this blessing, energy. ... I don't know what to call it. But, man I felt it.

Meet David Scigliuto

Age: 49

Resume: Seminole-based financial planner earned a spot in this weekend's NHRA Summit Series Super Pro Finals by winning the Division 2 (Southeast) title. He will compete against six region champions for a national title.

The car: From 0-100 mph in 1.5 seconds, pulling 3 Gs. Top speed 180 in a quarter mile.

The goal: Establish ties with an existing team to compete full-time in the NHRA.

[Last modified November 2, 2007, 21:20:36]