Hinds Motorsports Primed for PMRA Return
Gary Irving returns as driver with freshened-up 2004 Corvette Pro Modified……
With some minor changes from last year, the Hinds Motorsports Corvette Pro Modified (Waterloo ON) will be ready for the upcoming Pro Modified Racing Association season.
“Basically the car is staying the same,” noted team owner Al Hinds. “The motor is at Carl’s (Carl Spiering of Engine Research & Development) getting freshened up. We’ve got a couple of tricks up our sleeve, but right now I’m going to keep them guessing.”Driven by prominent Pro Modified racer Gary Irving of Toronto, Ontario the Corvette is powered with a supercharged 526-cubic inch Alan Johnson BAE engine with a Lenco three-speed behind it. The Corvette body sits on a Lowdown Hot Rods chassis, and ERD supplies the fuel system and PSI supercharger.
The team placed sixth in the 2010 PMRA Championship Point Award Series presented by Magnum Auto Parts and Patio Passport. Highlighting the season was a pair of number two qualifying runs, along with a semi-final and two quarter-final rounds. The car’s best in 2010 was a 6.097-second, 229.70-mph lap.
Hinds mentioned the electrical issue that plagued the team last season has been remedied, and the car should be a top contender. Irving will once again be the team’s driver.
“Gary does a hell of a job,” noted Hinds. “Why change it?”
Tom VanDerGeld will once again assume crew chief duties, along with input from Irving. Other team members include Mike Wagg, and Brody VanDerGeld, who is the team’s computer specialist. Mike Wagg is responsible for engine duties and transportation.
The team has acquired several new sponsor associations for 2011, including Kicker Car Audio from Oklahoma, JE Pistons, King Engine Bearings, Total Seal Piston Rings, Competition Tire, and Weld Wheels. Other sponsorship comes from Castrol SLX, Big Rock Brewery, NGK Spark Plugs, Roberts Boxed Meats, Lowdown Hot Rods, Pro Racing Fuels, Competition Tire, Patio Passport and Strange Engineering.
The car is owned by Al and Dee Hinds.
Hinds is expecting a good season when the PMRA kicks off May 20-22 for the Victoria Day Weekend Challenge at the Cayuga Dragway of Toronto Motorsports Park.
“It’s going to be interesting,” he said about the upcoming year. “We love the series, and we’re going to give it our best shot.”
Posted by: Tim Miller For more information contact Bruce F. Mehlenbacher at Bruce@PMRA.ca
