Night of Champions honors drag racing series winners at annual banquet
Courtesy of PMRA
BURLINGTON, ON – The 2012 series champions were crowned at the annual “Night of Champions” gala evening for the Pro Modified 
Racing Association, the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, and the Pro Bike & Sled Series.
The event honored the top five in each drag racing series, along with this year’s presentation of the John Massingberd Memorial Award and other awards at the Holiday Inn Burlington Hotel and Conference Center in Burlington, Ontario.
Pro Bike rider Ted Glinny, who shared the PBSS title presented by Wiseco Performance Products with Pro Sled racer Chris Bondi of Aurora, Ontario, was quick to thank his crew for his success.
I want to thank my son Jay for helping in the pits, along with my crew chief Harry Manovich, said the Milton, Ontario rider. And I also want to thank Harvey (Silverthorne, head of Wiseco Performance Products Canada) for his dedication and efforts. This is a great organization with a lot of class.
Co-winner Bondi was not at the banquet.
For the first time in series history, the Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts was won by a Top Dragster team, as the Hinbest Racing Team of Michael Hinbest and Katie Ward accepted their accolades.
I had no idea this was our year, said Ward, who is from Orangeville, Ontario, and shares driving duties with Hinbest. I want to thank the Hinbest family for including me in their team.
This season was long and tough, noted Hinbest, but we were able to bring home the championship. I want to thank my Dad Roy who was there 24/7 along with the rest of the team working and tuning the car.
It was right down to the last race of the season, but Eric Latino just edged out Bruce Boland to win his first PMRA championship presented by Global Emissions Systems, Inc.
This is definitely an incredible honor, noted Latino, who is from Whitby, Ontario and drives the Team Green Camaro Pro Modified. It was an unbelievable year for us, and it was a very competitive field. I want to that not only my wife Sue for her support, but also Rob and Ann Sporring who have been extremely supportive.
The fourth annual John Massingberd Memorial Award was presented to Vern Christy for his dedication and efforts in the world of motorsport. He joins Carl Spiering, Fred and Betsy Smith, and Bob Slack.
This was a total, but very pleasant surprise, said Christy, who lives in Picton, Ontario. I am truly honored and grateful to be a part of this elite group.
Christy has been a part of the PMRA, Quick 32 Sportsman Series, and PBSS for several years now ensuring the professional operations and commitment to safety that has made the series successful. His lengthy background in drag strip track preparation, timing systems, and operations has taken him to tracks throughout North America.
SPECIAL AWARDS
Series Official of the Year Award ~ Eric Robertson
Pro Modified Racing Association ~ Sportsmanship Award ~ Derek Hawker
Quick 32 Sportsman Series ~ Sportsmanship Award ~ Paul Martin
Pro Bike & Sled Series ~ Sportsmanship Award ~ Dan Cryderman
Pro Modified Racing Association ~ Achievement Award ~ Bruce Boland
Quick 32 Sportsman Series ~ Achievement Award ~ Kevin Wicke
Pro Bike & Sled Series ~ Achievement Award ~ John Orfanidis
Pro Modified Racing Association ~ Rookie of the Year Award ~ Rocky Di Lecce
Quick 32 Sportsman Series ~ Rookie of the Year Award ~ Mike Everitt
Pro Bike & Sled Series ~ Rookie of the Year Award ~ Jeff Lippert
Bear’s Performance Products Dash 4 Cash Award (Quick 32 Sportsman Series) ~ Melanie Simmons Salemi
Wiseco Piston Award (PMRA) ~ Jay Santos
Wiseco Piston Award (Quick 32 Sportsman Series) ~ Billy White
Wiseco Piston Award (PBSS) ~ Ted Glinny and Chris Bondi
Aulward Graphics Special Award (PMRA) ~ Bruce Boland
Aulward Graphics Special Award (Quick 32 Sportsman Series) ~ Melanie Simmons Salemi
Aulward Graphics Special Award (PBSS) ~ John Orfanidis
In other banquet news, Harvey Silverthorne announced that Wiseco Performance Products will continue its involvement with the PBSS for the 2013 season, and David Lange from Ideal Supply and NAPA Auto Parts said his companies will continue their support of the Quick 32 Sportsman Series for the upcoming season.
The PMRA will begin its ninth season in 2013, the Quick 32 Sportsman Series its fifth season, and the PBSS its third year, offering fans a complete and exciting package of drag racing action. The first event for all three series will be May 10-11 at US 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan.
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.
For more information contact Bruce F. Mehlenbacher at Bruce@PMRA.ca
Photo Credit: Bill Mehlenbacher Photography ~ www.nxphoto.com
