Winning his first PMRA race was second-year driver Paolo Giust, who drove solidly and consistently to win his first Pro Modified event.

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“We are certainly happy with the win,”  Giust said after the race. “We struggled a bit at the start of the season but we have it figured out now.”

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Qualifying the Paolo & Shannon Giust Racing 1963 Corvette powered by a BAE supercharged hemi engine, Giust,  qualified third in the field with a 6.369-second, 229.06-mph pass behind Rocky Di Lecce of Mississauga, Ontario and Jeff Roth of New Hamburg, Ontario.

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Giust eliminated Jack Grainy of Basom, New York, and Roth to meet up with number five qualifier Derek Hawker of Corbyville, Ontario in the final. Although Hawker posted a 6.277 at 230.76 against Giust’s 6.330, 213.57, Giust was first off the line with a .049-second reaction time over Hawker’s .130 which gave him the winning edge and the victory.

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Semi-finalists were Roth and number eight qualifier Sam Andreacchi of Toronto, Ontario.

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Giust was quick to thank the efforts of Jim Salemi of G-Force Race Cars, Jon Salemi of Resolution Racing Services, and Mike Stawicki of MSR Engines for their efforts in his success.

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“Jim and Jon and Mike got it all figured out,” Giust added. “They got me to the winner’s circle.”

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Giust also wanted to thank his crew, crew chief Jamie Clarmo, along with Shannon Giust, Jamie Petric, Matt Maxsom, Sherri Clarmo and Joe Kavanagh.

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“I certainly have to thank my team”, he noted. “Without them I could not go Pro Modified racing.”

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“I also want to thank Bruce (Mehlenbacher, Series Director of Operations) for putting this series together and letting guys like us from Canada and New York race our Pro Modifieds,” he continued. “We would have to travel all over to race, but we have the PMRA which has allowed us to race in a great environment.”

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The 2013 PMRA points championship was decided before racing began at Grand Bend. With five wins this season, Di Lecce had amassed a large lead in points and all he had to do was to attend this race to win his first PMRA title. Although he qualified number one, he was eliminated in the first round by Andreacchi.

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Di Lecce won the 2013 title with 1838 points, with Grainy second at 1621 points. Former PMRA champion Bruce Boland of Stoney Creek placed third with 1595 points, followed by Hawker with 1575 points and Giust with 1235 points. Rounding out the top ten are Roth, Andreacchi, Jason Kalso of Clarkston, Michigan, Tim Martin of Barrie, Ontario, and Steve Legare of Trois Rivieres, Quebec.

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Event Essentials:  PMRA Thunder by the Beach – Grand Bend ON – Aug. 31-Sep. 1st

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PMRA PRO MOD	NAME	ET	MPH	CAREER WIN
Winner:	Paolo Guist	6.330	213.57	1st
R/UP:	Derek Hawker	6.277	230.76
Low ET:	Jeff Roth	6.065
Top Speed:	Jeff Roth		234.98
Bump Spot:		6.713		8-car field

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The next race on the 2013 PMRA schedule is the inaugural International Pro Mod Challenge (Sep. 20-21st) at Maryland International Raceway near Mechanicsville MD – w non points affair that will feature head to head competition between the PMRA and the Northeast Outlaw Pro Mod Association.

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