Action heats up for Round Four of the PMRA 2010 Tour

Courtesy of the PMRA

GRAND BEND, ONTARIO – When the Pro Modified Racing Association rolls in to the Grand Bend Motorplex this coming weekend of August 7-8 for the Stratford Spectacular Hot August Nationals presented by Ideal Supply & NAPA Auto Parts, the teams will be on their game plan in this hotly-contest 2010 season.

“We have any number of teams who could win this round,” noted Bruce Mehlenbacher, Director of Operations for the PMRA. “So far this season we have recorded a different winner for each event.”

The top three teams in the Championship Point Award Series presented by Magnum Auto Parts and Patio Passport are Mike Stawicki of Medina, New York with 828 points, Derek Hawker of Corbyville, Ontario with 812 points, and Eric Latino of Port Perry, Ontario with 806 points. Each of these three racers has won an event this year.

“Our Championship Point Award Series race is very close right now, and qualifying for the Marydel Homes Qualifying Bonus and making laps in this event at Grand Bend is important,” Mehlenbacher continued. “The PMRA teams will be out there giving it their all.”

The upcoming race is round four in the 2010 PMRA tour, now in its sixth year of operation.

Presently in fourth spot is three-time and reigning PMRA Champion Bruce Boland of Hamilton, Ontario, who has 760 points. Gary Irving of Toronto, Ontario, driving the Al Hinds Pro Modified entry, is fifth with 759 points.

Jack Brohman of Jarvis, Ontario, Sam Andreacchi of Toronto, Ontario, Jeff Roth of Kitchener, Ontario, Dave Earhart of Strathroy, Ontario, and Mark Nielsen of Brantford, Ontario, are sitting in sixth to tenth respectively.

Not only is the PMRA witnessing a tight points race this season, it has witnessed the setting of new benchmarks in both the series and for the Pro Modified class at an international level.

The Stawicki-driven, Jim Salemi-crew-chiefed G-Force Race Cars Firebird set speed and time records this year, recording a 5.803-second pass at Cayuga Dragway, along with a 255.25-mph speed at the same meet.

Another factor in this weekend’s event will be the team of Paul Noakes and Tim Martin.

Noakes, of London, a former top-running Alcohol Funny Car driver, has joined forces with car-owner Martin of Barrie, and the team brings a lot to the table.

The fifth round of the Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts will also take place during the Stratford Spectacular event.

With over 40 cars anticipated in the Top Dragster and Top Sportsman classes that make up the Series, the Top Dragster team of White and Wild Racing with Scott Wildgust driving leads the racers with 839 points in the Championship Point Award Series.

Right behind Wildgust, who is from Wartburg, Ontario, is the 1955 Chevy Top Sportsman entry of Parkhurst Motors piloted by Steve Parkhurst of Belleville, Ontario with 812 points. Another Top Sportsman, the Grubb Racing 2004 Chevy Cavalier with Darrin Grubb of Pine River, Ontario behind the wheel, is third with 811 points.

Fourth with 807 points is the Top Sportsman entry of Wilson and Gray out of Ingersoll, Ontario, with Rob Gray driving the 2002 Chevy Cavalier. In fifth is the Top Dragster of Morgan Forrest Racing from Rochester, New York, with Buddy Forrest handling the driving chores.

The Stratford Spectacular Hot August Nationals presented by Ideal Supply & NAPA Auto Parts event will feature the popular Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA), www.PMRA.ca, and the Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts, www.Quick32.ca, featuring Top Dragster and Top Sportsman action with quick six and seven-second cars, the event will feature Alcohol Funny Cars, Pro Fuel Dragsters and Wheelstander along with a fireworks display.

The first qualifying session is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Saturday and round one of eliminations will take place Sunday, starting at 11:00 a.m.

Complimentary spectator event tickets will still be available at Ideal Supply & NAPA Auto Parts locations across Ontario, at businesses in Stratford, or by contacting the Quick 32 Sportsman Series or the Pro Modified Racing Association.

General parking is $20 per car load and weekend camping is available.

For information about the Stratford Spectacular Hot August National presented by Ideal Supply & NAPA Auto Parts at the Grand Bend Motorplex, call (519) 238-7223 or visit www.grandbendmotorplex.com

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