Corvette team tops field during Canadian Nitro Nationals, Stawicki sets new benchmark in PMRA racing
CAYUGA, ONTARIO (July 4, 2010) – Driving his 1963 Corvette Pro Modified, Derek Hawker of Corbyville, Ontario won the second round in the 2010 Pro Modified Racing Association, held at the Cayuga Dragway of Toronto Motorsports Park.
Hawker was scheduled to meet up with Mike Stawicki of Medina, New York in the final round, but the G-Force Race Cars 1968 Firebird broke in the semi, giving the win to Hawker.The win was Hawker's first in PMRA competition. The race was also Hawker's second PMRA event, and the rookie and former Sportsman driver went to the final round at the first PMRA event in May earlier this year. He qualified seventh in the eight-car field.
"Our day was totally awesome," said the former Top Sportsman driver. "Friday was a real thrash-fast, but we got it together," he continued.
"I really want to not only thank my family and crew, but Atchison Racing Engines," he added. "They are second to none."
Terry Brown of Caledonia qualified third in the field with his 1969 Dodge Daytona, and although he won his first round, he could not make the semi-final, so Hawker had a bye run.
And while Gary Irving nipped Stawicki at the tree in the semi, the New Yorker powered by him to win the round over the Al Hinds 2004 Corvette driven by Irving of Toronto, Ontario. Stawicki ran a 5.936, 252.47 with a .106 reaction time, while Irving posted a 6.209, 227.69 pass with a .044 reaction time.
In first round action, Hawker cruised to a win over three-time PMRA champion Bruce Boland of Hamilton, Ontario. Boland and his new Corvette had qualified well in second but his car was sliding around during the run and he had to back off. Brown eliminated Mark Nielsen of Brantford, Ontario, who made the show as first alternate when fourth-seeded Eric Latino of Port Perry, Ontario could not make the show.Sam Andreacchi of Toronto, Ontario suffered handling woes with his 1969 Chevy Nova after qualifying well in fourth, losing to Irving, and former Alcohol Funny Car driver, number eight qualifier Paul Noakes of London, Ontario, tried in vain to catch Stawicki in the Tim Martin-based Corvette.
Stawicki led the Marydel Homes Qualifying session with a record-setting 5.803, 255.25 pass, and a new benchmark for the Pro Modified class on Canadian soil. These numbers shatter the previous PMRA quarter-mile records. The previous time, set by Stawicki himself at Cayuga in September of 2008, was 6.049 seconds, while Mark Nielsen of Brantford, Ontario, held the top speed record of 237.30 mph, also recorded in September 2008 at Cayuga.
With his win, Hawker leads the PMRA Championship Award Series presented by Magnum Auto Parts and Patio Passport with 591, followed by Latino with 573. Third is Stawicki with 572 points, Brown is next with 553 points, and Andreacchi is fifth with 546.
Next event in the 2010 PMRA season is at the IHRA MOPAR Nitro Jam Nationals July 16-18 at the Grand Bend Motorplex.
