PMRA opener at Toronto Motorsports Park goes to Ike Maier

PMRA opener at Toronto Motorsports Park goes to Ike Maier

Victoria Day Challenge first win for Maier Motorsports Corvette Pro Modified

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 PMRA 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.

Photo Credit: Mike Goodwin - www.mgdigital.ca and Bill Mehlenbacher Photography - www.nxphoto.com