PMRA Challenge at the 10th Annual
IHRA MOPAR Canadian Nationals

Notes and observations from the PMRA Challenge Presented by Motorsports 1320

GRAND BEND, ONTARIO (July 21, 2009) – Here are some notes and observations of the PMRA Challenge presented by Motorsports 1320 held at the 10th Annual IHRA MOPAR Canadian Nationals July 17-19.

• Two regular PMRA competitors elected to compete in IHRA Pro Modified category rather than the PMRA event at the Grand Bend Motorplex. Both Ike Maier of Tottenham, Ontario, and Toronto’s Gary Irving, driving the Al Hinds Corvette, made the Pro Modified field, Irving fourth and Maier eighth. Irving went to the second round, losing to eventual class winner Ed Hoover of South Carolina, and Maier red-lit against Hoover in the first round.

• Former PMRA racer Tony Pontieri of Bolton set a new Canadian Pro Modified class record while qualifying at the IHRA race. Driving the Quality Plus Compressors 1969 Camaro, a new car for the team, he posted a 5.974-second, 241.93-mph pass, the quickest ever on Canadian soil.

• The 1971 Barracuda of Jason Kalso, painted in stages, has now been completed, the striping on the yellow body completed just days before the Grand Bend Motorplex meet. The Michigan-based team said the next step is to get the headlight area of the car properly painted. It was still sporting real lights on the front end.

• Jack Grainy of North Tonawanda, NY, set low ET at the race with a 4.002-second posting on the eighth-mile, just shy of the PMRA eighth-mile record of 3.970-seconds set by Carl Spiering of Jordan Station, Ontario at the Cayuga Dragway in May of 2008. And while Bruce Boland of Hamilton, Ontario recorded top speed of 183.39-mph at Grand Bend, that PMRA record is presently held by Mike Stawicki of Medina, NY, who recorded a 184.23-mph pass at New York International Raceway Park in June of 2008.

• Eric Latino and his team have been progressing well in their second year of PMRA action. The driver of the 1938 Chevy Pro Modified went to the final at the Grand Bend Motorplex, the best showing to date. Jim and Jon Salemi of G-Force Race Cars were on hand assisting the Latino Team.

• Grand Bend winner Bruce Boland was the recipient of an IHRA Ironman trophy, presented to him during the post-race photo session.

• PMRA Director of Operations met up with former World Funny Car Champion and present drag race school owner Frank Hawley, who was at Grand Bend with the R2B2 Pro Modified team. During their talk, Mehlenbacher and Hawley discovered they both celebrated birthdays in July, and found out they were born less than a week apart. While their ages were not mentioned, the pair had not seen each other in 30 years.  

The next PMRA event, the Stratford Spectacular Hot August National presented by Ideal Supply & NAPA Auto Parts August 8 and 9. 

The PMRA Pro Modifieds are headlining the two-day event, which includes an Alcohol Funny Four Car Match Race, a Top Fuel Bike, a Jet Truck, Blown V8 Drag Bikes, racing in the Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts, which features Top Dragster and Top Sportsman action with quick six and seven-second cars, the Grand Bend Motorplex Top Dragster and Top Sportsman Series, plus great racing action in the Thunder series and Junior programs, plus Fireworks.

For information about the Stratford Spectacular Hot August National presented by Ideal Supply & NAPA Auto Parts at the Grand Bend Motorplex, call (519) 238-7223 or visit www.grandbendmotorplex.com
 
For more information contact Bruce F. Mehlenbacher at Bruce@PMRA.ca

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