Pro Modifieds as popular as they were in 1997

Courtesy Bruce F. Mehlenbacher

CAYUGA, ONTARIO (April 27, 2007) – The Pro Modified class was a relatively new division in drag racing in 1997 when Neale Armstrong organized the Canadian Drag Racing Series, but the new cars were quickly becoming popular when Cayuga International Dragway Park, now known as Toronto Motorsports Park, held a series for the cars.

At the time, Pro Modified ace and long-time respected car builder Jim Oddy of Elma, NY, held the class record at 6.24-second, 222 mph, with driver Fred Hahn. The Oddy/Hahn team held the track record with a 6.502-second, 215.31-mph pass.

By comparison, Al Billes of Barrie, ON, qualified number one at the first Cayuga PMRA meet in 2005 with a 6.236-second, 226.28-mph pass.

Of the 28 cars listed for the 1997 series, 11 of the Pro Modifieds were nitrous injected, with the remainder running superchargers. Some of the entrants from 1997 are still racing at the Pro Modified level, including PMRA drivers Joe Boniferro of Niagara Falls, ON, the Grainy Brothers of North Tonawanda, NY, Mike Stawicki of Medina, NY, and Kasey Janzen of St. Catharines.

Others who have raced in PMRA competition from 1997 include Welland, ON’s Larry Sinke, and Tony Pontieri of Toronto. In fact, Pontieri was leading the series with his Camaro, and Pro Modified veteran Johnny Rocca of Virginia was second in his popular 1949 Mercury.

With such a diverse group of body styles, terrific burn-outs, and wild rides down the quarter-mile, the Pro Modifieds continue to be crowd-pleasers, and for those fans who watch the action at the upcoming Victoria Day Weekend PMRA Challenge at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario May 19-20, they will not be disappointed.

For information about the Victoria Day Weekend PMRA Challenge at Toronto Motorsports Park call (905) 772-0303 or visit online at www.torontomotorsportspark.com.