(9/1/08) GRAND BEND, ONTARIO – The Third Annual PMRA Challenge at the Grand Bend Motorplex was anything but predictable with strong performances, some big upsets, and an alternate getting into the final round.
But at the end of the day, Ralph Andreacchi won his first PMRA event, and the Maple, Ontario resident was a happy racer after the final.
“The car was good all weekend,” said a happy Andreacchi after the race. “I want to thank all my crew, and Al Billes also. I also want to thank all my sponsors, and my family.”
Making his second final round appearance, Jack Grainy of North Tonawanda, New York could not make the final round with his 1967 Camaro, which gave the final to Andreacchi.
The semi-final pitted Andreacchi against Terry Brown of Caledonia, Ontario, in what was the event’s closest contest. Brown, driving his 1971 Dodge Challenger, cut a better light with a .088-second reaction time over the .098 of Andreacchi, but the Skull Studebaker ran 6.458-second, 220.58-mph over Brown’s 6.476-second, 221.07 mph.
In the other semi, Bruce Boland of Hamilton, Ontario, fell victim to Grainy, who blasted to a 6.474-second, 207.99-mph pass over Boland’s tire-shaking 8.961-second, 102.35-mph run.
In first round action, Grainy pulled the upset of the meet taking out number one qualifier Gary Irving of Bolton, Ontario, in the Al Hinds-owned 2004 Corvette. Grainy had not qualified in the field, but was first alternate when Jeff Roth could not make the first round.
Andreacchi took out Toronto’s Sam Andreacchi in the first round, as Sam’s 1969 Chevy Nova was a victim of tire shake. Boland eliminated Mark Nielsen of Brantford, Ontario with his 1968 Yenko Camaro, and Brown took out Joe Boniferro of Niagara Falls, Ontario with the 1999 Dodge Avenger entry.
Taking the number one qualifying spot was Irving with a 6.119-second, 223.99-mph pass. Qualifying second was Ralph Andreacchi with a 6.268-second, 224.71-mph clocking in the Skull Motorsports entry. Third was recent PMRA Sanair winner Brown, fourth was 2007 PMRA champion Bruce Boland and his B&B Racing 1963 Corvette, and fifth was Nielsen.
Rounding out the eight-car field was Boniferro who won this event last year, Sam Andreacchi, and Jeff Roth out of Kitchener, Ontario with the J&J Roth Racing 1957 Chevy.
Special Awards:
Auto Meter Products - Low Qualifier Contingency Award - Gary Irving
Bear's Performance Products - Consistent Qualifier Bonus - Ralph Andreacchi
Competition Tire Canada/Goodyear Racing Tire - Low Qualifier Contingency Award - Gary Irving
ERD (Engine Research and Development) - Low Qualifier Contingency Award - Gary Irving
Needles At Work - Voted by Officials - Joe Boniferro
The Trailer Shop - Longest Tow Award - Jack Grainy
Aeroquip Performance Products - Event Winner Contingency Award - Ralph Andreacchi
Auto Meter Products - Event Winner Contingency Award - Ralph Andreacchi
Crane Cams - Event Winner Contingency Award - Ralph Andreacchi
Gulfway Insurers - A Leader in the Specialty Insurance Industry Gulfway Insurers - Best Reaction Time & Round Winner - Jack Grainy
Parts Pro - Crew Chief of the Race Award - Chico - Skull
Bruce Boland of Hamilton, Ontario continues to lead the 2008 Championship Point Award Series sponsored by Wix Filtration Products, Valvoline, Uni-Select, and Moen with 1369 points. Terry Brown of Caledonia, Ontario is second with 1328 points, Jeff Roth of Kitchener, Ontario is in third with 1281 points, followed by Joe Boniferro in fourth with 1279. The Grainy Brothers from North Tonawanda, NY are next with 1148 points.
The PMRA concludes its six-race season September 13-14, on the Cayuga Dragway at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario.
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.
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".
Photo Credit: Bill Mehlenbacher Photography
But at the end of the day, Ralph Andreacchi won his first PMRA event, and the Maple, Ontario resident was a happy racer after the final.
“The car was good all weekend,” said a happy Andreacchi after the race. “I want to thank all my crew, and Al Billes also. I also want to thank all my sponsors, and my family.”
Making his second final round appearance, Jack Grainy of North Tonawanda, New York could not make the final round with his 1967 Camaro, which gave the final to Andreacchi.
The semi-final pitted Andreacchi against Terry Brown of Caledonia, Ontario, in what was the event’s closest contest. Brown, driving his 1971 Dodge Challenger, cut a better light with a .088-second reaction time over the .098 of Andreacchi, but the Skull Studebaker ran 6.458-second, 220.58-mph over Brown’s 6.476-second, 221.07 mph.
In the other semi, Bruce Boland of Hamilton, Ontario, fell victim to Grainy, who blasted to a 6.474-second, 207.99-mph pass over Boland’s tire-shaking 8.961-second, 102.35-mph run.
In first round action, Grainy pulled the upset of the meet taking out number one qualifier Gary Irving of Bolton, Ontario, in the Al Hinds-owned 2004 Corvette. Grainy had not qualified in the field, but was first alternate when Jeff Roth could not make the first round.
Andreacchi took out Toronto’s Sam Andreacchi in the first round, as Sam’s 1969 Chevy Nova was a victim of tire shake. Boland eliminated Mark Nielsen of Brantford, Ontario with his 1968 Yenko Camaro, and Brown took out Joe Boniferro of Niagara Falls, Ontario with the 1999 Dodge Avenger entry.
Taking the number one qualifying spot was Irving with a 6.119-second, 223.99-mph pass. Qualifying second was Ralph Andreacchi with a 6.268-second, 224.71-mph clocking in the Skull Motorsports entry. Third was recent PMRA Sanair winner Brown, fourth was 2007 PMRA champion Bruce Boland and his B&B Racing 1963 Corvette, and fifth was Nielsen.
Rounding out the eight-car field was Boniferro who won this event last year, Sam Andreacchi, and Jeff Roth out of Kitchener, Ontario with the J&J Roth Racing 1957 Chevy.
Special Awards:
Auto Meter Products - Low Qualifier Contingency Award - Gary Irving
Bear's Performance Products - Consistent Qualifier Bonus - Ralph Andreacchi
Competition Tire Canada/Goodyear Racing Tire - Low Qualifier Contingency Award - Gary Irving
ERD (Engine Research and Development) - Low Qualifier Contingency Award - Gary Irving
Needles At Work - Voted by Officials - Joe Boniferro
The Trailer Shop - Longest Tow Award - Jack Grainy
Aeroquip Performance Products - Event Winner Contingency Award - Ralph Andreacchi
Auto Meter Products - Event Winner Contingency Award - Ralph Andreacchi
Crane Cams - Event Winner Contingency Award - Ralph Andreacchi
Gulfway Insurers - A Leader in the Specialty Insurance Industry Gulfway Insurers - Best Reaction Time & Round Winner - Jack Grainy
Parts Pro - Crew Chief of the Race Award - Chico - Skull
Bruce Boland of Hamilton, Ontario continues to lead the 2008 Championship Point Award Series sponsored by Wix Filtration Products, Valvoline, Uni-Select, and Moen with 1369 points. Terry Brown of Caledonia, Ontario is second with 1328 points, Jeff Roth of Kitchener, Ontario is in third with 1281 points, followed by Joe Boniferro in fourth with 1279. The Grainy Brothers from North Tonawanda, NY are next with 1148 points.
The PMRA concludes its six-race season September 13-14, on the Cayuga Dragway at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario.
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.
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".
Photo Credit: Bill Mehlenbacher Photography
