Bruce Boland makes it three in a row in PMRA competition

Bruce Boland makes it three in a row in PMRA competition

Reigning Champion takes his third of season at Grand Bend, leads in Championship Point Award Series standings

GRAND BEND, ONTARIO (August 18, 2009) – “It was a good day. Everything worked just as it was supposed to,” explained Boland after the race.

And it was the third great event in a row, as Bruce Boland of Hamilton, Ontario took his third straight victory in 2009 Pro Modified Racing Association competition during the Stratford Spectacular Hot August Nationals at the Grand Bend Motorplex in Grand Bend, Ontario.

Boland and the B&B Racing 1967 Chevy Nova qualified number one in the eight-car field, and set the meet’s low elapsed time of 4.013 seconds, and a top speed of 184.27-mph for the eighth-mile event which is a new PMRA top speed eighth-mile record.

The veteran took out Ike Maier in the final, 4.109 at 177.90 to a 4.203 at 165.65.

Maier, of Schomberg, Ontario, could not catch the speedy Boland in the final with his 1963 Corvette. Maier won the opening round of PMRA racing at Cayuga earlier this season, and recently went to the final round in the IHRA Northern Nationals in Michigan.

Semi-finalists were Jason Kalso of Clarkston, Michigan, and Mark Nielsen of Brantford, Ontario. Kalso, with his 1970 Barracuda, qualified fifth in the field, and Nielsen was third before the eliminations with his 1967 Camaro.

Kalso, a second-year PMRA driver defeated Tim Martin of Barrie, Ontario with his 1963 Corvette. Martin cut a better light than Kalso, but was chased down with a 4.459-second pass to Kalso’s 4.229-second pass.

Nielsen disposed of Jeff Roth of Kitchener, Ontario, who was first alternate in his 1941 Willys who filled the position for Eric Latino. Roth was having issues with his car over the weekend, and Nielsen met up with Maier in the semi, shaking the tires and on the Grand Bend surface, recording a 4.928 while Maier won the round with a 4.157.

On the other side of the ladder, Boland faced a determined Jack Grainy in the opening round. The driver of the North Tonawanda-based Grainy Brothers Racing team ran an admirable 4.090 lap was not enough for Boland, who posted a 4.013 pass.

Boland eliminated Kalso, who struck the tires in his Cuda at the 330 mark during the semi, giving the 2008 PMRA Champion a 4.066 win over Kalso’s 4.776.

“The car is coming around,” mentioned Boland in victory lane after the final. “The car did run the best eighth-mile time and speed it ever has at Grand Bend today. It was a good weekend. We had no issues at all.

“I also want to thank all my crew and my sponsors, for without them none of this would be possible.”

Others making the show included Dave Earhart of Strathroy, Ontario, who qualified seventh and was out in the first with his 2002 Camaro. Eric Latino of Scarborough, Ontario qualified sixth with his 1938 Chevy, but did not make the elimination rounds, which gave Jeff Roth a position in the field.

Bruce Boland presently leads the PMRA Championship Point Award Series standings with 1097 markers after four races. Next is Mark Nielsen, with 1030 points. Dave Earhart and Jason Kalso are tied in third with 981 points, Joe Boniferro of Niagara Falls, Ontario is fourth with 967 points, and Jeff Roth is fifth with 960 points. Fifth through tenth are Eric Latino, Ike Maier, Jack Grainy, Tony Piselli of Maple, Ontario, and Tim Martin.

The next event in the 2009 series will be held during the Thunder by the Beach Fourth Annual PMRA Challenge & NAPA Auto Parts Quick 32 Sportsman Series September 5 and 6 at the Grand Bend Motorplex.

For information about the Grand Bend Motorplex, call (519) 238-7223 or visit www.grandbendmotorplex.com

For more information contact Bruce F. Mehlenbacher at Bruce@PMRA.ca

Photo Credit: Bill Mehlenbacher Photography - www.nxphoto.com