FW: New body and new power on G-Force Race Cars PMRA entry

New body and new power on G-Force Race Cars PMRA entry

Mike Stawicki and crew will run 1968 Firebird for upcoming 2009 PMRA season

TONAWANDA, NEW YORK (April 7, 2009) – Look for a new car body with some new power when Mike Stawicki returns to the Pro Modified Racing Association tour this year.

Driving the G-Force Race Cars entry from Western New York, co crew-chief Jon Salemi said he and the rest of the team, including brother Jim Salemi (owner of G-Force Race Cars), are busy getting prepared for the PMRA opener.

“We’re getting ready,” mentioned Salemi. “We’ve spent a lot of time changing over our combination,” adding that the team is foregoing its legal Pro Modified Combination in favor of racing in the PMRA and ADRL, which offers less restrictions in weight and power.

Salemi said a major change for 2009 is the switch-over to a screw-type supercharger. “To be at the forefront of this “Outlaw” Pro Modified format we need to have the proper tools,” he mentioned. “That includes a screw blower and a lightweight car. We are expecting a steep learning curve with the new combination but are excited to learn about it at the same time. We have been focused on screw supercharger development at DMPE for the last three to four months offering some upgrades to the blower itself, along with a new carbon fiber injector hat that will all be a part of our race car”.

The new supercharger set up will sit atop a Brad Anderson (BAE) Hemi of 521 cubic inches, built by Mike Stawicki (MSR Performance). Stawicki has also spent the last couple of months educating himself on the screw blower combination and the differences it demands from that of the roots combination.

The Medina, New York driver, who won the final two PMRA events last season, will shift a Lenco three-speed coupled to an AFT two-disc clutch. The fuel system for the new screw blower will be provided by DMPE.

Along with crew-chiefs Jim and Jon Salemi, others on the team include Jon Kage as car chief, Justin Lamachia, Matt Wendler, Lucas Salemi and Evan Salemi. Bettie Stawicki serves as the Team Manager.

Some of the team’s sponsorship comes from G-Force Race Cars Inc., DMPE. Inc., Stawicki Used Cars, Isolation Systems, Strange Engineering, Weld Racing, NGK Spark Plugs, Mastin Engineering, Hot Rods by Burke, Cynergy Composites, 1320 Web Services, and Drag Racing Online.

Another big change for 2009 is the switch from a 1967 Camaro body to a Cynergy Ultra Light 1968 Firebird body.

“This ultra-light is the hot body right now,” he said. “It’s about 30 pounds lighter, has an extended nose, and is a little more aerodynamic. Tim from Cynergy Composites is the man, he builds a great product. Not only is this new body a bunch lighter, it’s around three times as strong. It’s really an impressive work of art. My brother Jim and the all of his crew at G-Force Race Cars are looking at every possible way to cut weight and not compromise the safety of these cars. His hours of dedication to this shop car project and building an advanced car are insurmountable.”

But Salemi was not prepared to divulge any paint scheme for the new body, insisting the scheme will be something quite different from the classic flame work that has adorned Stawicki’s past several rides.

“This is going to be a totally different paint scheme,” he commented. “And it’s going to surprise everybody.”

The PMRA, www.PMRA.ca, 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 and on September 5 and 6.

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, 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.

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".