Boland getting ready for PMRA Opener at TMP

New engine should make Hamilton driver a contender on 2007 tour

HAMILTON, ONTARIO (April 9, 2007) - Staying home this winter has given PMRA driver Bruce Boland a chance to get his 1953 Corvette-bodied Pro Modified ready for the upcoming season.

“Usually we’re down in Florida racing at this time, but not this year,” explained Boland, who in the past two years has run a limited Pro Modified Racing Association schedule, topping off with a win at Lancaster in 2005. “But I’ve had lots of time to get things in order for this year. I plan on running the entire PMRA schedule.”

Driving the B and B Automotive entry out of Hamilton, Ontario Boland has a brand new engine in his Corvette, and has spent a lot of shop time getting the rest of the car hooked up to the new Hemi.

“We’re going down to Carl’s this weekend to dyno the engine,” said Boland, referring to Carl Spiering’s ERD (Engine Research & Development) engine facility, who built the 2500-horsepower engine. “I’ve spent a lot of time changing the transmission, clutch, and rest of the driveline to match up with the new Hemi. Just about everything had to be changed over from the Chevy engine.”

A 30-year racing veteran, Boland said he’ll be ready for the PMRA Victoria Day Weekend opener May 19-20 at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga.

“We’ll be ready,” he added. “I’ll have the car ready. I just got the new rear end in last weekend. I even repainted the roll cage and interior.”

Now in its third year of operation, The Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA), Pro Modified Racing Association, has enjoyed strong fan popularity and will present some of the best in Pro Modified racing for 2007.

The PMRA will travel to several drag strips in 2007, including two dates at Toronto Motorsports Park, Lancaster Raceway Park in New York State, Sanair in Quebec, and the Southwestern Ontario track of Grand Bend Motorplex.

In 2006, the tour was a great success, and during the past two seasons of the PMRA, each event finished with a different winner. Joe Boniferro and Kasey Janzen tied in points last year and were crowned co-champions over the other Ontario, Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania teams. Wix Filtration Products, Valvoline, a division of Ashland Inc., Uni-Select, and Moen Incorporated will sponsor the PMRA points series in 2007.

For more information, contact Bruce F. Mehlenbacher Mehlenbacher@ProModifiedRacing.com

About the Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA):
The Pro Modified Racing Association started late in 2004 and is entering its third year of operation. The PMRA is a self-governing organization, with technical and safety rules as outlined by the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) and the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). Cars in the PMRA capture the true spirit of hot rodding, and the class is one of drag racing’s most exciting and volatile classes, offering a diverse group of racecars with different types of 2,000-horsepower 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: MG Digital Media - MG Digital Media - Home and Rob Potter Photography