Fremont, CA: Longtime friends Tom Malpede and Eathon Lanfri are proud to announce an alliance for the 2012 season that will allow their newly formed racing team to pursue an ambitious schedule of regional events. The duo has formed a three-car team that will feature sponsorship from Malpede’s Construction, Golden State Lumber, and Big O Tires store #5025, located in Fremont, CA. Malpede and Lanfri will compete in a pair of rear engine dragsters, in addition to Lanfri’s ’74 Camaro (which will eventually be driven by Malpede’s son Kyle, a former Jr. drag racer) within the Summit E.T. Bracket Series, NHRA divisional and national events, and big dollar bracket racing events along the west coast and throughout the country.

Team driver Tom Malpede is a 39-year-old owner of major sponsor Malpede’s Construction. Tom has a racing background, but put competition on hold for several years to concentrate on business and start his family. Lanfri re-introduced Malpede to the sport two years ago, convincing Tom to drive his ’74 Camaro. The experience reignited Malpede’s passion for the sport which ultimately formed their current alliance. Tom will compete mainly in his 2003 Race Tech dragster with support from his wife Melissa and their children, Katie and Kyle.

Eathon Lanfri is a longtime west coast competitor who will wheel his 2007 Sarmento Dragster for the Malpede’s Construction team in 2012. Lanfri, 40, is the owner/operator of Lanfri Transportation. He has been involved in racing for most of his life, taking a brief hiatus in the early ‘90’s before re-entering the sport in 1997 with his familiar Camaro, then stepping into the rear-engine dragster ranks. Eathon and his wife Rosanna have been a staple at bracket events throughout the region for over a decade.

“I can’t thank Tom Malpede enough for this opportunity,” said Lanfri. “I am very blessed to have such a great wife and awesome friends that are allowing me to be able to do what I love and the proper tools to be able to do so! I hope to be able to bring results on the track with these tools and results for Malpede’s Construction, Golden State Lumber, and Big O Tires Fremont for their businesses. I am a truly blessed person!”

Fremont, California based primary sponsor Malpede’s Construction has expanded annually for 15 years. The company’s continued growth includes an impending move into a 4400 square foot facility provided by Golden State Lumber. The new facility will not only house the construction business, but also Malpede’s Custom Cabinet shop and the race team.

“I just want to thank everyone who has helped make all this possible,” stressed Tom Malpede. “My family, friends, and new sponsors; I look forward to representing them all, hopefully for many years to come! I am looking forward to all the activities planned for them and getting in a great year of racing to promote all of my business partners.”

Associate sponsor Golden State Lumber is owned by Rob Scerri and has 4 locations serving the region. The Newark based Golden State Lumber location, and its manager Nick Terra is the outlet that the Malpede’s Construction team will funnel the majority of interest to. Each Golden State Lumber location provides a variety of lumber and building materials, hardware, and tools for the construction industry and do-it-yourselfer.

Additional associate sponsorship for the team comes from Fremont-based Big O Tires (store # 5025). Co-owners Steve Oxford and Ron Labraun operate the store, which is located at 42240 Fremont Blvd. Big O specializes in meeting the needs of drivers and hot rod enthusiasts, stocking thousands of tires for all makes and models of vehicles.

In addition to their on track pursuits, the Malpede’s Construction team will also bring recognition and exposure to sponsors through numerous sponsor displays. Team vehicles will be displayed at sponsor locations throughout the season to help create traffic and increase name and brand recognition. In addition, the team has planned appearances to encourage today’s youth to become involved in motorsports.

Tom Malpede, Eathon Lanfri, and the Malpede’s Construction team will continue testing in the coming weeks as they prepare for a big weekend of racing action at Infineon Raceway on April 14-15. The team will also participate in the NHRA Pacific National Open at Sacramento Raceway on May 5-6 before heading across the country to compete in the annual K&N Spring Fling 20’s event in Bristol, TN May 17-20.

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