Team takes on competition with non-traditional twin-turbo setup
PETROLIA, ONTARIO (April 23, 2010) – Gary Mater is one racer who likes a challenge.
The driver and owner of the 1937 Chevy Coupe Pro Modified said he should be in good shape when the Rumblin’ Thunder Racing Team competes in Pro Modified Racing Association action this year.
“I’ve never been afraid to take on a challenge,” said Mater, who drives the Alan Johnson 526-cubic inch engine-powered coupe with the twin turbos on top of the engine.Mater’s Pro Modified is one of a handful of non-supercharged cars in the PMRA, and the team has been working diligently to get the engine’s potential to the rear wheels.
“We’re still on a learning curve,” he added. “The car shows lots of promise.”
Mater started racing with an Anglia in the 1970s and built the car from a 13-second car to one capable of running in the mid-seven-second range at over 180 mph.
Behind the engine of the ’37 is a Lenco automatic, and Mater said the team has spent time over the off-months getting it more workable.
“We have tweaked the tranny,” he explained. “We were burning out the clutch packs, as we were getting about 40 percent slip on the shifts, which is way too high. Hopefully that won’t happen this year.”
He added that the turbocharger set-up, a twin billet 91-mm Precision Turbo unit, is capable of running a boost of 45 psi, but at present is set up for 34 pounds of boost.
“There’s a lot more there, we just have to tap into it.”The wild-looking black ’37 sits on a chassis built by Mater and Brian Robbins. Jamie Feenstra is the team’s crew chief, and others include Lynda Mater, Mike McDonald, and George and Darlene Feenstra.
Mater added the team will be ready for the opening round in the 2010 PMRA tour, the Victoria Day Weekend PMRA and Quick 32 Sportsman Series May 21-23 at the Cayuga Dragway of Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario.
