2008 BIC Lighter ‘Queen of Diamonds” Driver Jill Canuso Makes Statement Licensing – She’s a Natural

Hanna Motorsports proudly announces the successful licensing of our new “BIC Lighter” “Queen of Diamonds” driver - Jill Canuso. Over the past 2 months, Al and Rich Hanna, and Ken Hall, have worked closely with Jill, both at Maryland International Raceway and Atco Dragway, to teach the processes involved in wielding the awesome 300 MPH jet dragster. “Jill has been a phenomenal student,” stated Al Hanna. “She has so much experience in a multitude of professional race categories, and working with her has been a pleasure.”

“Driving the “BIC Lighter” “Queen Diamonds” is a dream come true for me,” said Jill Canuso. “I have driven all kinds of race cars, but the acceleration and power of this machine is incredible, and all I can say is I love this car and this team.”

The team once again chose Maryland International Raceway as the base for the start of training. “Royce Miller and his staff have been great, and have given us so much support as we’ve moved forward with this process,” said Hanna. “MIR is a beautiful facility, smooth, long, wide, and perfect for a new driver. We have affixed an MIR logo to the “BIC Lighter” “Queen of Diamonds”- as thanks for all Royce has done for us. I wish we could do even more for him.”

“Hanna Motorsports has trained a multitude of drivers throughout the years. Jill Canuso has shown the most resilient response to driving this car,” added Hanna. “I believe her experience with other race cars gave her a base to receive our information and move quickly through this process.” Her third day at MIR, she ran an 800 foot pass and recorded 5.88. “Wow, really nice.” Her next day at MIR, she ran the following numbers – 5.77 – 5.33 – 5.14 – 5.23 – and we didn’t let her run to the finish line. “Impressive.”

After several sessions at both the Hanna Motorsports race shop and MIR, the team moved to Atco Raceway for more testing. Jill responded with an incredible session – 5.17 – 5.15 – 5.13, with a first ever to the finish line of 305 MPH. Track owner Joe Sway, who knows Jill from her racing at Atco, came to Al Hanna at the end of the day and said just two words “She’s good.” And walked away. Joe is a man of few words, and those said it all.

April 2nd was the day to license Jill, and both Bob Lang from NHRA and Dick Rosberg from IHRA were on hand. Jill again made a statement to those in attendance that she is the new “BIC Lighter” “Queen” with several runs as follows – 5.16 – 5.17 – 5.17, and a best of 303 MPH. “The runs were arrow-straight and impressive, “said Rosberg, who is also the driver of the “Thriller” jet dragster. “I’ve seen enough,” said Bob Lang. “I think we can have her run this weekend’s bracket event. She even had great lights - .416 - .423 - .429 – unreal.”

The hunt for the new ‘BIC Lighter’ “Queen of Diamonds” driver is over. Jill Canuso has taken the reigns of the potent 300 MPH Jet Dragster, and is ready to race. Jill makes her debut at the O’Reilly Super Chevy Show presented by Comp Cams / TCI in Memphis April 19^th in a match race event against long-time Hanna Motorsports rival Lou Pereira, driving the “Terminator” Jet Dragster. “I have been on the BowFlex, working out,” stated Lou. “I am ready to race the new “Queen”. A new Battle of the Sexes begins…

Al Hanna said, “The search was quite a process with a huge number of very talented applicants. At this point, all we can say is Jill Canuso is our choice, and she is the right one to carry the legacy of the famous “BIC Lighter” “Queen of Diamonds” forward for Hanna Motorsports. We couldn’t be happier.”

The BIC Lighter “Queen of Diamonds” makes appearances across the US, in Puerto Rico and Canada. Since the inception of the “Queen of Diamonds” program in 1997, this car has risen to the top of the ranks in the history of jet dragsters. 2008 will be another banner season.