Bruce Boland and Kevin Wicke win 2009 titles, Carl Spiering receives
The John Massingberd Memorial Award
NIAGARA FALLS, ONTARIO (November 14, 2009) – For 2009, the Fifth Annual Champions Banquet to honor the drivers and teams of the Pro Modified Racing Association was held in conjunction with the First Annual Champions Night for the Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts.
Master of ceremonies Larry Satchell guided the sold out, full-to-capacity room at the Best Western Cairn Croft Hotel in Niagara Falls, Ontario through the proceedings, which was highlighted by the recognition of the Top Five finishers in each series.Bruce Boland of Hamilton, Ontario, took the PMRA title for 2009, his third consecutive Point Award Series Championship.
Winning the inaugural Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts Championship was Kevin Wicke of Stratford, Ontario.
Taking second in the PMRA Championship Point Award Series standings was Mark Nielsen of Brantford, Ontario, and third was Jeff Roth of Kitchener, Ontario.Fourth was Eric Latino of Scarborough, Ontario, and rounding out the Top Five in the Pro Modified Racing Association series was Jason Kalso of Clarkston, Michigan.
Placing second behind Wicke and his Top Sportsman Dodge Stratus in the Quick 32 Sportsman Series was Jamie Bridge of Napanee, Ontario in his dragster.
Third was Carl Spiering of Jordan Station, Ontario, with his Cobalt Top Sportsman entry, fourth was Michael Kalin of Youngstown, New York with his dragster, and fifth was T.J. Schippling of Shakespeare, Ontario, with his dragster.
Boland, who won his third PMRA title with his third different car, said he couldn’t have won the championship without help from his crew and sponsors.
“I want to thank all my crew, and my sponsors,” said Boland, “and a special thanks to Backwoods Excavating. I couldn’t have done it without your help.”
Now in the process of building a new car, Boland said he will return to PMRA racing in 2009.
“And a notice to all you crew chiefs,” he said during his victory speech at the banquet.
”Tune up those cars for next year. I will be back.”
During his award speech, Wicke noted the team struggled a bit but all the pieces fell into place during the season. “This is a great honor,” he said. “We had some tough competition this year. There are some great teams in this new series, and we are honored to finish on top. I want to thank my crew, and their families for allowing us to do what we love, and I want to thank out sponsors for making it all happen.”The Top Five PMRA and Quick 32 Sportsman Series Teams each received a copy of Tim Miller’s new book, “Drag Racing – The World’s Fastest Sport.”
There were several awards presented during the evening graciously supplied by sponsors, for which both the PMRA and Quick 32 Sportsman Series is grateful.
These included:
RPM Senior Drag Race Editor Ian Rae presented two RPM Magazine Editor’s Choice Awards, one to PMRA Champion Bruce Boland, and the other to Kevin Wicke, the Quick 32 Sportsman Series Champion.
The Quick 32 Sportsman Series Bear's Performance Products Dash 4 Cash Award was presented by Kevin Zimmer, Marketing Manager of Bear's Performance Products, to Michael Kalin, who then donated his award to Team JAXS.Winner of the Quick 32 Sportsman Series Wiseco Piston Award was Top Dragster competitor Tony Positano.
The Wild Boar Racing Gear Sportsmanship Awards were presented by Scott Wildgust, to Jamie Bridge of the Quick 32 Sportsman Series and Eric Latino of the PMRA.
Peter Hyde on behalf of Ideal Supply and Hyde Racing made special presentations to Quick 32 Sportsman Series competitors and the series officials.
Commissioned by Jim Salemi of G-Force Race Cars, artist Val Potter presented individual prints of PMRA Champion Bruce Boland and Quick 32 Sportsman Series Champion Kevin Wicke. Artist Potter donated her contribution for her work to Team JAXS.
During the ceremonies, a new award was presented to honor the spirit of former auto racing personality John Massingberd. This award, The John Massingberd Memorial Award, will be presented annually to an individual in recognition of their commitment, dedication and passion to the sport.
For 2009, this award was presented to Carl Spiering by Tim Miller, Kevin Wicke, Paul Massingberd, Bruce Mehlenbacher, Bruce Boland and Jim Salemi.
Now a regular racer in the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, Spiering was involved with the PMRA as a competitor since its inception, and was instrumental in the creation of both the PMRA and the Quick 32 Sportsman Series.
“This is indeed an honor,” said a surprised Spiering after receiving the accolade. “I knew John for a long time, and he was a great friend of our sport. He helped bring drag racing to the forefront. His presence will be missed.”
PMRA and Quick 32 Sportsman Series Director of Operations Bruce Mehlenbacher thanked all the teams and the race venues. He also thanked the sponsors of the series, emphasizing everyone’s importance in the series.
For more information contact Bruce F. Mehlenbacher at Bruce@PMRA.ca
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