Derek Hawker finished third in the PMRA points in 2012.


Continued from Page 9 Pro Modified Racing Overview Since its inception close to 20 years ago, the


Pro Modified class has established itself as one of drag racing’s most popular divisions, with large engines and a variety of unique body styles, pro- pelling the cars to quarter-mile speeds of over 240 mph with sub six-second times. Engines in the class are also diverse, with supercharged, nitrous- assisted, or turbocharger power plants. This class, known as “the world’s fastest door slammers,” al- ways attracts attention and interest wherever they compete. The Pro Modified class began as an extension


of Top Sportsman racing, basically full-fendered race cars (as opposed to a dragster-style car) taken to the max with unique body styles and large (over 500 cubic inches) engines. Body styles range from 1933 Willys coupes


through early 1950s Studebakers to split-window Corvette Sting Rays. The 1967-68 Camaro/Firebird body has be- come popular in the past years, as well as some Dodge-inspired muscle cars of the late 1960s.


Pro Modified racing comes of age By the mid-1990s, the class had become a hit


with fans, and through the efforts of such com- petitors as Charles Carpenter and Ed Hoover of South Carolina, Johnny Rocca of Virginia, the New york team of Fred Hahn and Jim Oddy, and Al Billes and Gary Irving of Ontario, the class grew in stature and popularity. The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA)


embraced Pro Modified as a competitive class in 1990. Missouri’s Tim McAmis was the first IHRA Pro Modified champion in 1990, and cars were running the low to mid-seven elapsed times with


10 // pmra.Ca • QUICK32.Ca • pBSS.Ca


speeds of around 200 mph. Several PMRA drivers have competed in IHRA


and NHRA national events, including Mike Staw- icki and Mike Janis, both of New york, along with Ontario drivers Carl Spiering, Mark Nielsen, Ike Maier, Tony Pontieri, Kenny Lang, and Raymond Commisso.


PMRA Pro Modifieds offer a diversity of powerplants and body styles 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). Today’s Pro Modified teams have the choice of


running either a supercharged engine with a maxi- mum displacement of 527 cubic inches, a non-su- percharged-engine with nitrous oxide assist of up to a maximum 820 cubic inches, or a turbo- charged engine with a maximum displacement of 650 cubic inches. While the supercharged (“blower”) cars are most common in the PMRA, examples of all engine combinations are preva- lent. Teams with supercharged cars are starting to employ the “screw” blower, which offers more in- stant power than the traditional Roots-type super- charger. Turbocharged cars must weigh a minimum of


2700 pounds, nitrous 2425 pounds, and super- charged cars 2650 pounds. Most cars employ a three-speed transmission that is shifted manually through the use of air-assisted buttons. Some teams have fitted their cars with an automatic- shifting transmission employing a torque con- verter which provides quicker setup time and less strain on the race car. Wheelbases range from 100 to 115 inches.


This modern racing equipment can be shrouded in a wide variety of body styles, from coupe bodies of the 1930s to early 1950s Corvettes, to more mod- ern-looking Camaros, Novas, and Mopars. The car bodies resemble their street roots but are very light, most under 100 pounds. Very little is al- lowed in aerodynamic body panels except for a large rear deck spoiler, and each car must have two fully-functional doors situated traditionally on the car’s body. The driver operates the car from the left side of the vehicle. In 2001 the National Hot Rod Association


adopted Pro Modified racing, and while the class has become popular at selected events, the NHRA is still treating Pro Modified racing with an exhibi- tion status. Pro Modified racing offers the best in heads-up


racing with a fantastic variety of race cars. The PMRA presents the best in Pro Modified action in one of North America’s most populated areas. When the PMRA competes at an event, it is the headline series, and has gained a strong following in the past few years. Since 2005, the PMRA has continued to enter-


tain fans at tracks in Ontario, Quebec, and New york, and the teams are comfortable competing on either quarter-mile or eighth-mile strips. Not to be overshadowed by the competition on


the track, the PMRA works in a close-knit atmos- phere off-track. A strong camaraderie has devel- oped between the teams, working as a group and always willing to help each other out with parts and labour to make that next round. The PMRA events are run in conjunction with


the Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts, www.Quick32.ca, and the Pro Bike & Sled Series (PBSS), www.PBSS.ca, offering fans a great show of drag racing. •


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