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ERIE, PA (May 9, 2008) – When the Corvette Fever team goes to a race, it plans to enjoy itself, to spend the day racing and have fun.
That’s the philosophy of the Erie, Pennsylvania-based Pro Modified team of John and Brian Vergotz, who will be entering their first year of Pro Modified Racing Association competition in 2008.
“We’re local people and this is purely a hobby with us,” said Brian Vergotz, who wrenches on the 2000 Corvette driven by his brother John. “Sure, we enjoy racing, but we also want to have fun at it.”
Sitting on a Vanishing Point Race Cars 2000 Corvette is a 746-cubic inch nitrous-fed engine by Buck Racing Engines, fueled with a Barry Gant system and hooked up to a three-speed Lenco Drive. The team has raced since 1983, and has operated its own car for about the past ten years, according to Vergotz.
He added the car has been a solid reliable car which has seen several engines between the frame rails, all larger and more powerful than the previous power plant. But they feel the present setup is right for them.
“This series (the PMRA) should be ideal for us,” Vergotz continued. “Our car is very reliable and consistent. And we can get it to go down every track.”
The team plans to run all the 2008 PMRA races and is familiar with Dunn Tire Raceway Park (formerly Lancaster) and New York International Raceway Park, both in Western New York State.
The former WAR (World Alcohol Racers) 2005 Pro Modified champion team is sponsored by A-1 Automotive Inc, in Erie, and is crewed by young John Vergotz, Jr, Shane McLaughlin, John Orsini, and Rick Folgle.
The May 17 – 18 event is the first in the six-race PMRA Tour for 2008. With increased sponsorship, a record number of teams, and a reinstated Chicago-style Shoot-out to round out the eliminations, this season promises to be the best ever for the PMRA.
There will be three qualifying sessions on Saturday, May 17, starting at 4:00 p.m. Eliminations for the top eight qualifiers will begin at 1:00 p.m. Sunday May 18, along with qualifying in the Ajax Engines Chicago-Style Shootout. Finals will begin at about 4:00 p.m.
Joining the PMRA Pro Modifieds at Toronto Motorsports Park will be the Can-Am Stock/Super Stock Series. This popular grass-root drag series, which features competitors from Ontario and New York, was formed in 1996, and continues to grow each season. The participants, known for their awesome wheelies, are fan favorites wherever they appear.
For information about the Third Annual Victoria Day Weekend PMRA Challenge at Toronto Motorsports Park call (905) 772-0303 or visit online at Welcome to Canada's Newest Racing Facility - Toronto Motorsports Park
The PMRA will compete at several drag strips in 2008. There are two dates at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario, May 17 and 18, and June 28. The next event is at New York International Raceway Park June 7 in New York State, then Dunn Tire Raceway Park July 26, also in New York State. An event is scheduled at the Sanair facility in Quebec August 16, and the season-closer will be held at the Southwestern Ontario track of the Grand Bend Motorplex August 30 and 31.
For more information, contact Bruce F. Mehlenbacher [email protected]
About the Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA):
The Pro Modified Racing Association, Pro Modified Racing Association, was organized late in 2004, started racing operations in 2005, and is entering its fourth year of operation. The PMRA is a self-governing organization with input from its teams, and adheres to the technical and safety rules as outlined by the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) and the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). The series has event venues in Ontario, Quebec, and New York State.
Cars in the PMRA capture the true spirit of hot rodding, and the class is one of drag racing’s most exciting and colorful classes, offering a diverse group of race cars with different types of 2,500-horsepower supercharged, nitrous powered and turbocharged engines.
No Pro Modified team has dominated in the history of PMRA events. In 2005, 2006, and 2007, each event was topped off with a different winner, and 2006 Grand Bend Motorplex winner Joe Boniferro became the first repeat winner in series history, winning the 2007 Grand Bend race.
Combining classic body styles and modern equipment, constructors are permitted, within established rules and parameters, to modify and enhance the cars in both appearance and performance. The cars are fuelled by gasoline or methanol, propelling them down the quarter-mile in low six-second times at over 200 miles per hour. The PMRA provides drag race fans the opportunity to see, hear, and experience the popular Pro Modifieds, known as "the world's fastest door slammers".
Nitrous-powered Corvette Pro Modified team looking forward to PMRA competition
“This series should be ideal for us”
ERIE, PA (May 9, 2008) – When the Corvette Fever team goes to a race, it plans to enjoy itself, to spend the day racing and have fun.
That’s the philosophy of the Erie, Pennsylvania-based Pro Modified team of John and Brian Vergotz, who will be entering their first year of Pro Modified Racing Association competition in 2008.
“We’re local people and this is purely a hobby with us,” said Brian Vergotz, who wrenches on the 2000 Corvette driven by his brother John. “Sure, we enjoy racing, but we also want to have fun at it.”
Sitting on a Vanishing Point Race Cars 2000 Corvette is a 746-cubic inch nitrous-fed engine by Buck Racing Engines, fueled with a Barry Gant system and hooked up to a three-speed Lenco Drive. The team has raced since 1983, and has operated its own car for about the past ten years, according to Vergotz.
He added the car has been a solid reliable car which has seen several engines between the frame rails, all larger and more powerful than the previous power plant. But they feel the present setup is right for them.
“This series (the PMRA) should be ideal for us,” Vergotz continued. “Our car is very reliable and consistent. And we can get it to go down every track.”
The team plans to run all the 2008 PMRA races and is familiar with Dunn Tire Raceway Park (formerly Lancaster) and New York International Raceway Park, both in Western New York State.
The former WAR (World Alcohol Racers) 2005 Pro Modified champion team is sponsored by A-1 Automotive Inc, in Erie, and is crewed by young John Vergotz, Jr, Shane McLaughlin, John Orsini, and Rick Folgle.
The May 17 – 18 event is the first in the six-race PMRA Tour for 2008. With increased sponsorship, a record number of teams, and a reinstated Chicago-style Shoot-out to round out the eliminations, this season promises to be the best ever for the PMRA.
There will be three qualifying sessions on Saturday, May 17, starting at 4:00 p.m. Eliminations for the top eight qualifiers will begin at 1:00 p.m. Sunday May 18, along with qualifying in the Ajax Engines Chicago-Style Shootout. Finals will begin at about 4:00 p.m.
Joining the PMRA Pro Modifieds at Toronto Motorsports Park will be the Can-Am Stock/Super Stock Series. This popular grass-root drag series, which features competitors from Ontario and New York, was formed in 1996, and continues to grow each season. The participants, known for their awesome wheelies, are fan favorites wherever they appear.
For information about the Third Annual Victoria Day Weekend PMRA Challenge at Toronto Motorsports Park call (905) 772-0303 or visit online at Welcome to Canada's Newest Racing Facility - Toronto Motorsports Park
The PMRA will compete at several drag strips in 2008. There are two dates at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario, May 17 and 18, and June 28. The next event is at New York International Raceway Park June 7 in New York State, then Dunn Tire Raceway Park July 26, also in New York State. An event is scheduled at the Sanair facility in Quebec August 16, and the season-closer will be held at the Southwestern Ontario track of the Grand Bend Motorplex August 30 and 31.
For more information, contact Bruce F. Mehlenbacher [email protected]
About the Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA):
The Pro Modified Racing Association, Pro Modified Racing Association, was organized late in 2004, started racing operations in 2005, and is entering its fourth year of operation. The PMRA is a self-governing organization with input from its teams, and adheres to the technical and safety rules as outlined by the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) and the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). The series has event venues in Ontario, Quebec, and New York State.
Cars in the PMRA capture the true spirit of hot rodding, and the class is one of drag racing’s most exciting and colorful classes, offering a diverse group of race cars with different types of 2,500-horsepower supercharged, nitrous powered and turbocharged engines.
No Pro Modified team has dominated in the history of PMRA events. In 2005, 2006, and 2007, each event was topped off with a different winner, and 2006 Grand Bend Motorplex winner Joe Boniferro became the first repeat winner in series history, winning the 2007 Grand Bend race.
Combining classic body styles and modern equipment, constructors are permitted, within established rules and parameters, to modify and enhance the cars in both appearance and performance. The cars are fuelled by gasoline or methanol, propelling them down the quarter-mile in low six-second times at over 200 miles per hour. The PMRA provides drag race fans the opportunity to see, hear, and experience the popular Pro Modifieds, known as "the world's fastest door slammers".
