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CAYUGA, ONTARIO (May 17, 2009) – It was Ike
Maier’s day.
The Tottenham, Ontario racer qualified his 1963 Corvette Pro Modified
number one for the PMRA season opener, and stayed on top during the weekend to win his
first Pro Modified Racing Association event.
“We finally won something,” said Maier after his win. “But I have to
thank the team. I just get in and drive.”
Maier was pitted against Jack Grainy of North Tonawanda, New York, in
the final, and  although Grainy cut a better light, his 1967 Camaro suffered tire shake and
he had to let off. Maier’s final was a 6.158-second, 230.49-mph run against the
7.435-second, 141.42-mph clocking of Grainy, who qualified second in the eight-car
field.
“I certainly have to thank Kirk (team crew chief Kirk Silbermann) and
Carl (Spiering of ERD). I wouldn’t be here without them.”
The semi-finals pitted Maier against Bruce Boland of Hamilton, Ontario.
Maier eliminated fifth qualifier Boland in B&B Racing 1967 Nova with a 6.151-second,
230.72-mph pass over Boland’s losing 6.796-second, 171.05 mph effort. Although Boland’s
.155-second reaction time was quicker than Maier’s .281-second reaction time, Maier had the
power to get the job done.
And in one of the tightest races of the day, Grainy ran a 6.398-second,
225.45-mph clocking over Joe Boniferro of Niagara Falls, Ontario with a 6.455-second,
219.33-mph pass. Boniferro, in the Smokin’ Joe’s 1999 Avenger cut a .034-second light while
Grainy cut a slower .082 light, but Grainy powered past him for the win.
In first round action, Maier eliminated number eight qualifier Mark
Nielsen of Brantford, Ontario, in his 1968 Camaro, and Boland took out Gary Irving of
Toronto, Ontario, in the Al Hinds 2004 Corvette. Grainy disposed of number seven qualifier
Eric Latino of Scarborough, Ontario, with his 1938 Chevy, and Dave Earhart of Strathroy,
Ontario, in his 2002 Camaro fell victim to Boniferro.
TJ Schippling of Shakespeare, Ontario in his Top Dragster won the first
Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts over Jeff Gabel’s Top Sportsman of
Stratford, Ontario.
Special Awards
Auto Meter Products - Low Qualifier Contingency Award - Ike Maier
Auto Meter Products - Event Winner Contingency Award - Ike Maier
Bear's Performance Products - Consistent Qualifier Bonus – Bruce Boland
www.racensur.com Gulfway Insurers - Best Reaction Time & Round Winner – Joe
Boniferro
Needles At Work - Voted by Officials - Mark Nielsen
NOTES…Former PMRA racer Tony Pontieri was at Cayuga
over the weekend, helping the Pro Mod team of Eric Latino…2008 PMRA champ Bruce Boland made
an auspicious debut with his new 1967 Chevy Nova. Even though his new car was missing
second gear in the three-speed transmission, he still qualified number five in the
eight-car show…Dave Earhart’s Camaro sported a GM-based two-speed TH400 transmission, a
first in the PMRA…Jack Grainy of New York was the lone US Pro Modified racer by elimination
time. Pete Farber of Massachusetts and Jason Kalso of Michigan suffered mechanical woes
over the weekend, and did not make the show…Lisa Spiering, daughter of former PMRA
competitor Carl Spiering, performed the tribute pass in her dragster in honor of the late
John Massingberd, executive producer and host of Raceline Radio, in a special pre-race
ceremony.
For more information, contact Bruce F. Mehlenbacher Bruce@PMRA.ca
About the Pro Modified Racing Association
(PMRA):
The Pro Modified Racing Association, www.PMRA.ca, was organized late in 2004, started racing operations in 2005, and is entering
its fifth year of operation in 2009. The PMRA is a self-governing organization with input
from its teams, and adheres to the technical and safety rules as outlined by the
International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) and the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). The
series has event venues in Ontario, Quebec, and New York State.
The PMRA will compete at several drag strips in 2009, including dates at
Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario, starting with the season opener on May 16 and
17, June 13 and 14 and the season-closer on September 19 and 20, at St. Thomas Dragway in
Sparta, Ontario on July 11 and 12, and the South-western Ontario track of the Grand Bend
Motorplex at the 10th Annual MOPAR Canadian Nationals July 17 to 19, the Ideal Supply &
NAPA Auto Parts presents Hot August Nationals August 8 and 9 and on September 5 and
6.
Cars in the PMRA capture the true spirit of hot rodding, and the class
is one of drag racing’s most exciting and colorful classes, offering a diverse group of
race cars with different types of 2,500-horsepower supercharged, nitrous powered and
turbocharged engines.
Combining classic body styles and modern equipment, constructors are
permitted, within established rules and parameters, to modify and enhance the cars in both
appearance and performance. The cars are fuelled by gasoline or methanol, propelling them
down the quarter-mile in low six-second times at over 200 miles per hour. The PMRA provides
drag race fans the opportunity to see, hear, and experience the popular Pro Modifieds,
known as "the world's fastest door slammers".
Several of the PMRA events will be run in conjunction with the Quick 32
Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts, www.Quick32.ca
, offering fans a great show of drag racing.
For more information, please
contact:
Bruce F.
Mehlenbacher
Director of
Operations
Telephone: (905) 772-1800
Ext. #22
Cellular: (905)
517-5345
Tim Miller
Media Director
Telephone: (905)
870-1456
1209 Kohler Road, Cayuga,
ON Canada N0A 1E0
Telephone: (905) 772-1800
Extension #22, Fax: (905) 772-1799
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