Archive for February, 2012
Ike Maier returning to NHRA National event competition in 2012
Canadian to race in both Top Fuel and Pro Modified at upcoming Florida event, the Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals presented by NapaFilters.com
Courtesy: Tim Miller
TOTTENHAM, ONTARIO (February 28, 2012) – Top Fuel Dragster driver Ike Maier will be returning to the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series for 2012, competing in the upcoming NHRA race at Gainesville, Florida.
He will also be racing in the NHRA’s Pro Modified series as well.
“We’re going to give it another shot,” said Maier, who acquired his NHRA Top Fuel license last year. “We are going to try and qualify at the Gators and make some rounds.”
The race, known as the Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals presented by NapaFilters.com, is the 43rd running of the Florida race, which has been the traditional NHRA East Coast opener.
No major changes planned for PMRA Corvette Pro Modified of Derek Hawker
Third-year PMRA drag racer will run entire 2012 season starting in May
CORBYVILLE, ONTARIO (February 15, 2012) – “Right now the car is in 10 million pieces, but we’ll have it back together for opening day.”
Entering his third year of Pro Modified Racing Association competition, Derek Hawker said the Hawker Racing Corvette Pro Modified will not receive any major changes for the upcoming season.
“We are doing some upgrades to the supercharger,” he noted. “We have to try and run with the Joneses, but other than that, it will be pretty much the same deal.
Hawker placed sixth in 2011 PMRA Championship Point Award Series, qualifying in the tough field at most events, highlighted with a final round appearance against Kenny Lang in the third race of the six-race season. His 6.316-second pass was close, but Lang, an IHRA Pro Modified champion from Manitoba, nipped Hawker with a 6.035-second run.
Jay Santos to debut new Pro Modified in upcoming PMRA drag race season
Camaro to be lighter, stronger, and run with Lencodrive automatic
HALTON HILLS, ONTARIO (February 10, 2012) – With his first season of Pro Modified Racing Association racing behind him, Jay Santos will be taking to the track with a new car for 2012, another G-Force Race Cars built 69 Camaro.
“A good opportunity came along to sell the car and build a new one,” Santos explained. “The new car will be lighter with the use of titanium, and be able to race more competitively within all sanctioning bodies”
While the new car will be similar to his last car, Santos said the engine program will be improved to better fit the rules of the PMRA. In an effort to have a more consistent car, Santos
will retain the service of tuner and G-Force Race Cars owner Jim Salemi. Santos said he will also implement an auto shifter to shift the Lencodrive torque converter set up.
Rob Atchison returning to upcoming PMRA Pro Modified season
Former IHRA champ looking for good 2012 after first year learning curve
LONDON, ONTARIO (February 2, 2012) – One of Canada’s most successful drag racers will be returning to the Pro Modified Racing Association in 2012.
After his first PMRA racing last year, London’s Rob Atchison will be behind the wheel of the Atchison Racing Corvette Pro Modified, and said he hopes his short time last season will bear fruit.
“We’re going to try to make the next step up,” said the three-time IHRA Funny Car Champion, who believes the team has made the transition from the Alcohol-powered Flopper to a door-slamming Pro Modified. “We’ve made some changes, and I think I’ve learned how to drive the new car.”
Atchison was a dominate force in the IHRA Funny Car wars, winning 21 events, world records in elapsed time and speed, and the three titles in 2003, 2004, and 2005. With only 20 runs on the Corvette last year, he believes he has made the needed driving style adjustments.
