Elma, NY – Mike Janis’ resume as a Pro Modified driver could arguably place him near the top of any ones all time list, but its Janis’ talents as an engine builder that has gained him notoriety around the world. In recent years Janis’ family business, Jan-Cen Motorsports, based near Buffalo, N.Y. has become proficient at shipping Mike Janis prepared racing engines around the globe. The team at Jan-Cen has customers in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, Sweden, Switzerland, England, and New Zealand, but nowhere has the impact of a Mike Janis prepared Jan-Cen Powerplant been more noticeable than in the country of Australia.
For several seasons, Australian Sean Mifsud has been one of Janis’ premier Australian customers, proudly displaying a Jan-Cen engine protruding the hood of his Wild Willy Top Doorslammer. After a recent trip to the states Mifsud convinced Janis to come across the pond and meet some of his Australian customers face to face and take a ride in the seat of Mifsud’s 1941 Willys coupe dubbed Wild Willy.
“Sean’s been after me for a while to come over there and experience Top Doorslammer racing. To this point I’ve had no reason to go since Camp (Stanley) has been our unofficial ambassador outside of the States. I’m not much for sightseeing or vacations, so traveling outside of going to a race has never been big with me, but when Sean offered the ride and a chance to possibly compete against some of Australia’s best it really got me thinking. So, after a few conversations with everyone at the shop and Mike Rasnick from Eaton, it looks like I’m going to be stuck on a plane for quite a while,” laughed Janis.
“Mike’s trip couldn’t have come at a better time especially with Croaker (Adam Croker) trying to stake claim to our record,” said Mifsud. “Adam put out a release staking claim to the record of quickest and fastest roots powered car in the country, but that’s only partially correct. See, we’ve done pretty well over here using Mike’s fuel system and engine program. We’re actually the quickest roots blown car in the country and if not for a faulty Magneto we’d be the fastest too”.
Janis will arrive in Australia a week prior to the 2010 Summernationals (Yeah it’s Summer down there when it’s Winter up here!)and make some test hits behind the wheel of Mifsud’s Wild Willy. If things go well and Janis feels confident behind the wheel, he’ll enter the Top Doorslammer class for the 2010 Summernationals. If the unfamiliar confines of the Willys are not to Janis’ liking, he will assist Mifsud at attempting to lower the Australian Roots Supercharged record of 6.022, currently held by Mifsud.
The ANDRA Pro Series Drag Racing Sumernationals will be held the weekend of February 12th and 13th at Western Sydney International Dragway. Western Sydney International Dragway is located centrally, in the Sydney Metropolitan area. WSID’s location places it at the heart of Sydney's population and closer to major population centers than any other track in the country of Australia. The venue centers a 30 kilometer radius of 1.6 million people.
Mike Janis Racing would like to thank their sponsors Who assisted with this trip:
Eaton www.eaton.com
Aeroquip Performance Products www.aeroquip.com
Jan-Cen Automotive www.jancen.com
Sean Mifsud’s Roll Up Racing would like to thank their sponsors:
PPG Automotive Finishes www.ppg.com
Mickey Thompson www.mickeythompsontires.com
Pure Limousines www.purelimo.com.au
Wayco Equiptment www.wayco.co.nz
NGK Spark Plugs www.ngksparkplugs.com
JD4 TOOLS (snap-on)
Wildbunch USA
