Winner of PMRA opener ready for round two in 2009 Tour

Winner of PMRA opener ready for round two in 2009 Tour

Ike Maier good to go at Cayuga for June 13-14, Grainy entry in doubt

AJAX, ONTARIO (June 8, 2009) – Round two in the 2009 Pro Modified Racing Association Tour takes place this weekend at the Cayuga Dragway of Toronto Motorsports Park, and the winner of the last event plans to step up to the plate once more.

“We took the car apart, and checked everything,” said Kirk Silbermann, crew chief and tuner of the 1963 Corvette Pro Modified. “We’re leaving nothing to chance. We may not have a lot of money, but we’re serious.”

Driver of the Corvette, Ike Maier of Tottenham, qualified the new car number one at the PMRA’s first race in 2009, and handily won the event with some steady consistent passes.

It was the team’s first PMRA victory.

“We were hoping for a 6.0 (six-second pass) at Cayuga last time,” added Silbermann, who operates Ajax Engines in Ajax, just east of Toronto. “We’ve rebuilt the Lenco (transmission) and we think we’ll get some better passes this time.”

The team plans on competing at all PMRA races for the season, and Silbermann mentioned they are in it for the long haul.

“We’re going to treat every race like it was a national event,” he said.

Unfortunately, there’s a slim chance that Maier’s final round opponent at the opener will be racing this weekend.

The Grainy Brothers team from North Tonawanda left Cayuga with some engine issues, and may not be ready for this weekend.

“We may be there,” said Sonny Grainy, crew chief of the team’s 1967 Camaro. “It was a surprise. We need a crank.”

Driving the Camaro, Jack Grainy made it to the final with Maier, but lost traction and settled for second, the team’s third final round elimination in PMRA racing.

“We’ve had lots of seconds,” mentioned Grainy. “This is going to kill us in the points, but what are you going to do?”

After round one of seven events, Maier leads with 356 points. Grainy is next with 345 points, and Joe Boniferro of Niagara Falls, Ontario, is third with 334 points in his Smokin' Joe’s 1999 Avenger.

Fourth in points at present is 2008 PMRA champion Bruce Boland of Hamilton, Ontario, and his 1967 Chevy Nova, with 332 points, while rounding out the top five with 323 points is the Al Hinds 2004 Corvette with Toronto’s Gary Irving driving.

The Fifth Annual Family Day Weekend Spectacular takes place this weekend, June 13-14, at the Cayuga Dragway. Qualifying begins Saturday at 4:00 pm, and eliminations begin Sunday at 1:00 pm.

The PMRA will headline the two-day event, which will include racing in the TNT Super Series.

For information about Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario call (905) 772-0303 or visit online at www.torontomotorsportspark.com

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 Stratford Spectacular Hot August National presented by Ideal Supply & NAPA Auto Parts 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: Joe Barrett - Drag Racing Inc. - www.dragracinginc.com