ANDRA FASTLANE FASTLANE EDITION 21 | Page 21

perfectlight PAUL RUSSO After posting a 0.000 light in Round Four of the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series at Adelaide’s Spring Nationals, Paul Russo has been awarded with the Perfect Light Award. For the 38-year-old, the Perfect Light Award was part of a very positive outing at his home track as he also took out the Top Sportsman Spring Nationals event victory. continue on to chase the championship. I am really looking forward to the 2018/2019 season – we have come so close a few times now in Top Sportsman. “Adelaide was just a good event overall – it is always good to race at home and it is especially good to win at home,” Russo said. “In the meantime, for the rest of this season I will be focusing on consistency. My crew dial the car in for me and they do a great job. They are always reading the track and throwing out opinions on what needs to be done. My only real job is driving the car and letting go of the button – as long as I can let go of the button in time I should win races, sounds simple doesn’t it!” laughed Russo. “To get the Perfect Light Award was a bit of a surprise for sure – when I got my ticket at the box I thought I was lucky that I didn’t red light by a thousandth or something! I was pretty happy. “A few years back I had cut a perfect light so this is my second time doing it, but this is my first Award.” Russo says the competition in the Top Sportsman class is growing, and he couldn’t be happier about it. “There are a lot more guys starting to race now in the Top Sportsman class and we are starting to get bigger fields which is really good – the competition is getting harder and that is what you want! “I am looking forward to catching up with everyone at the track and racing again. “It is unfortunate that this season has to be a short one for me. With starting a new business (OZI Pawn Shop) and having a little boy on the way, I have decided this season to sit back a bit and race the close events like Portland and Adelaide before starting fresh in 2018. “Next season I am hoping to maybe take the crew away on a holiday to the Darwin and Alice Springs events and then The current season marks Russo’s fourth year of racing, and his third in his Top Sportsman Chev Belair. “I definitely need to thank my crew – they are a big part of what I do and without them I probably couldn’t go racing. I am not really that guy that knows a lot about cars and without them I would be stuck, so a big shout out goes to my brother Rick Russo, Bob Sherry and my good mate Michael,” Russo said. “For me the biggest thing would be to say thanks to all of the staff and everyone at ANDRA and the tracks that help out and get the events going – without them you are not going to be able to race, so I think it is important to thank them. “Of course, I also have to thank my sponsors for all of their support – WP Concrete, Barber Boys, Stoneworks SA, Construction Equipment Rentals, Olympia Gym and OZI Pawn Shop.” 21