Sam Andreacchi wins in PMRA, Melanie Simmons gets her first in the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, and Josie Brooks takes her first PBSS win
GRAND BEND, ONTARIO (August 13, 2012) – There were some new faces in the winners' circle over the weekend after the running of the Stratford Spectacular Hot August Nationals presented by Ideal Supply & NAPA Auto Parts drag races held at the Grand Bend Motorplex.
The race was the latest round for the Pro Modified Racing Association, the Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts, and the Pro Bike & Sled Series presented by Wiseco Performance Products.
Sam Andreacchi picked up his first win of the season in the PMRA, while Top Dragster driver Melanie Simmons won her first in the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, and Josie Brooks also won her first event riding in the PBSS.
Andreacchi, of Toronto, Ontario, who qualified number seven, drove the Wolf Racing and Andreacchi Motorsports 1969 Camaro Pro Modified to his first win of the 2012 PMRA season. The team returned to PMRA racing after a year's absence with a new car and ready to do battle.
Andreacchi eliminated number eight qualifier Derek Hawker of Corbyville, Ontario in the final. Semi-finalists were Jeff Roth of New Dundee, Ontario, and Bruce Boland of Hamilton, Ontario. Number one qualifier Eric Latino of Whitby, Ontario, who posted a 5.973 at 241.87 for the meet's Low ET and Top Speed, was eliminated in first-round action.
There was celebration in the Toyrific Racing team pits as Melanie Simmons won her first victory in Quick 32 Sportsman Series racing. The Top Dragster driver from Orillia, Ontario qualified ninth in the 16-car field, and faced Jim Rubino of Buffalo New York in the final round, winning with a 7.025 pass at 168.89.
On the Top Sportsman side, Dan Flanigan of Buffalo, New York drove his best race of the series, taking out Dan Aitken Jr of Belle River, Ontario to meet up with Simmons for the event title. Flanigan qualified his NOCO Motorsports 2002 Firebird ninth, and posted a 7.220 at 193.79 for the Top Sportsman win.
Flanigan fell short in the final, as the Simmons' Delta Faucet sponsored big-block Chevy-powered dragster ran a 6.792, 178.28 over Flanigan's 7.934, 129.70.
The Quick 32 Sportsman Series is comprised of a 16-car field of Top Dragster entries and a 16-car field of Top Sportsman entries. Each 16-car group races until a winner is declared and the winner of each group races in a final event to decide the event champion.
A large contingent of motorcycles and snowmobiles were at Grand Bend ready for racing, but at the end of the day Pro Bike rider Josie Brooks won her first PBSS event.
The Melbourne, Ontario GSXR rider took advantage of Ted Glinny of Milton, Ontario who fouled in the final. Brooks qualified fourth in the line-up as Kevin McKay of Ingersoll, Ontario paced the PBSS with a 7.627 at 169.36 but was out in the first round.
Pro Sled rider Chris Bondi of Aurora, Ontario rode his Ski Doo to a semi-final placing.
The Pro Modified Racing Association, www.PMRA.ca competes with its two companion series, the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, www.Quick32.ca and the Pro Bike & Sled Series, www.PBSS.ca travel and compete together throughout the racing season, offering an exciting and diverse package of drag racing action.
Photo Credit: Brennan Shortall ~ www.DragRaceCanada.com
