Midlife Crisis team ready for PMRA with new sponsors

DRE Engine Diapers and Nitro Plate Coatings sign up with Rochester Pro Modified

ROCHESTER, NEW YORK (May 6, 2008) - The Midlife Crisis Pro Modified racing team, which will be entering its second year of Pro Modified Racing Association competition, is pleased to announce the involvement of two new sponsors for 2008.

Both DRE Engine Diapers and coating manufacturer Nitro Plate will be sponsoring the team of the 1994 Corvette Pro Modified, headed up by crew chief Joe Caruso and driver Mike Cusimano.

Established by Dennis Ridgeway, DRE offers a full line of light-weight IHRA and NHRA-approved diapers for Sportsman cars from its Illinois base in a wide variety of sizes and applications. Each diaper is hand-crafted from a customer’s measurements to ensure a correct fit for each application.

“We’ve been racing Top Sportsman and Pro Modified cars since 1992 and Dennis’ product is one of the easiest, user-friendly diapers for a race car,” said Caruso. “We want to thank Dennis and DRE for their support and involvement.”

For more information, visit The DRE Engine Diaper

Based out of Nashville, TN, Nitro Plate has long been involved with providing ceramic coatings for headers, intake manifolds, and other race car parts. Nitro Plate’s aluminum ceramic coating is capable of withstanding 1300 degree temperatures. The company also provides OEM component coatings to several car manufacturers, and is a contingency sponsor in the NHRA Sportsman classes.

“We want to thank Mike (Fuqua) and Chris (Avaritt) at Nitro Plate for their support also,” said Caruso. “Their product is second to none. These fellows are racers themselves and have a good grasp on the needs of the racer.”

For more information, visit Welcome To NitroPlate!

The Midlife Crisis team is planning on competing in the full 2008 PMRA tour, starting with the Third Annual Victoria Day Weekend - PMRA Challenge at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario May 17-18. And for those interested in checking out the DRE and Nitro Plate products, the team will be happy to oblige.

“We’ll be pleased to show and demonstrate these products the track,” said Caruso. “Just drop by our pit area.”

Midlife Crisis member Marc Caruso said the team will be handling the marketing of both products, and to call him at (585) 303-9963 for more information.

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 mehlenbacher@ProModifiedRacing.com

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".

Photo Credit: Canadian Drag Racing Photos - Home