Monday, April 30, 2012

Racers and fans ready for 2012 opening day of drag race action

PMRA, Quick 32 Sportsman Series, and PBSS take to track May 18-20 for Victoria Day Weekend Challenge at TMP's Cayuga Dragway

CAYUGA, ONTARIO (April 30, 2012) – The teams have been working hard during the off-season and the fans are ready for the opening round in the 2012 Pro Modified Racing Association, the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, and the Pro Bike & Sled Series.

Racers had spent the past few months updating, modifying, and everything else to get more power from their racecars. Along with several new teams in the three drag race series, many are returning for the starting race of the year, the Victoria Day Weekend Challenge to be held May 18-20 at the Cayuga Dragway of Toronto Motorsports Park.

Qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, May 19, with elimination rounds scheduled to begin Sunday, May 20.

This race marks the beginning of the eighth year for the PMRA, the fourth for the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, and the second for the PBSS.

We will have a great contingent of racers in all series this year, noted Bruce Mehlenbacher, Director of Operations for the three series. A lot of teams have spent the winter rebuilding and upping their game plan, and we should see some terrific racing for the Cayuga opener.
 
Last year's PMRA championship was won by a mere point as Vito Montesano of Maple, Ontario, just edged out three-time champ Bruce Boland of Hamilton, Ontario, 1534 to 1533. And with his new race car, Eric Latino of Whitby, Ontario came on strong, placing third with 1526 points.

The Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts is comprised of two classes, Top Dragster and Top Sportsman. In 2011, for the third straight year, a Top Sportsman entry won the championship, as Phil Sampson of Granton, Ontario amassed 1239 points with his Chevy Cavalier over the second-place Top Dragster of Napanee, Ontario's Jamie Bridge with 1201 points.

The inaugural season in the PBSS presented by Wiseco Performance Products, which pits Pro Motorcycle riders against Pro Sled riders, was a great success, with Randy Hope of London, Ontario taking home the championship with his Pro Bike Kawasaki entry. The Pro Bike of Dan Cryderman of Thamesville, Ontario was second, and the Arctic Cat Pro Sled of Bill Anderson of Seaforth, Ontario placed third.

The Victoria Day Weekend Challenge will be the first of six rounds of racing for the Quick 32 Sportsman Series and the PBSS. These two series will also race at Cayuga June 22-24 and August 3-5, along with events at the Grand Bend Motorplex August 10-12 and August 31 – September 2.

All three series will be travelling to the US 131 Motorsports Park in Martin Michigan June 8-9, for an inaugural event at this famous drag race facility.

The PMRA Pro Modifieds will also race at the six above mentioned dates, plus will compete as part of the IHRA Mopar Nitro Jam Nationals July 20-22 at the Grand Bend Motorplex.

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