IHRP’s Pro Mod Shootout Series wraps it’s inaugural 4-race season campaign last weekend…
The event which featured an 8-car (Outlaw Pro Mod) qualified field was part of the final CHU (*Canada Heads Up) event for 2026 hosted by Toronto Motorsports Park’s Cayuga Dragway.
The race included some Canadian “PB” math and also a popular winner – both delivered from Ontario-based race teams.
Within that front – GTA’s “Racing Restaurateur” Raymond Commisso (Dimmi Bar & Resturant) dropped more then just a few jaws when he drove the Al Billes Racing Camaro (Barrie ON) – to some pretty impressive ET’s – which according to our record keeping – came up just short of being the quickest ever times recorded for Canada in 1/8th mile class competition. (A 3.588 secs — by Jay Santos @ TMP in September of 2025.
Toronto’s Raymond Commisso (driving for Al Billes) was the quickest of the Pro Mod cars entered at the IHRP Pro Mod Shootout Series season finale.
During his series of runs, Commisso first cemented the event’s #1 qualifier slot (3.609 secs) and then in round #1 bettered his all time career quick at 3.602 secs while winning over Sam Andreacchi. After beating Paul Coull in the semifinals (running 3.645 secs) Raymond did appear ripe for a score while lined up versus Coburg Ontario’s Al Martorino.
But it was then that Martorino delivered big time in the cockpit for his new for 2026 supercharged (4.9L Noonan powered) Mustang. He combined a .012 RT with a 3.681 secs at 214.92 mph to upset Raymond’s quicker 3.627 secs at 204.67 mph.
“We made a bunch of changes to the new car (PRC chassis) since last time out,” stated Al Martorino. “We went to Cayuga to test the car because we plan to race the Winter Series in Florida. But after qualifying number 2, I thought we might have a chance at winning this thing.”
“When we came down to the final, I figured the only way I had a chance at winning against Raymond was to beat him on the tree as he had been laying down some impressive 3.60s. So I put a 0.12 light and beat him to the stripe with a MOV of only .006 of a second!”
Al Martorino celebrates his most deserving victory with series director Ian Hill.
Al’s final round ET was also his personal career best. He had defeated Jay Santos and Tony Pontieri in rounds one and two.
“We would like to thank our tuner — Al Billes and our crew; Scott Sager, Lyle Williams, Dylan Kovacs, Amanda Andrews, Garth Webb, Cole Metheral and of course, my wife Shaye,” he emphasised. “We’re (Xtreme Motorsports) are so grateful for our sponsors too, William Mobile Service, Webber Chassis, NGK Spark Plugs and Shelbourne Fuels.”
Ian Hill, the series’s founder and director stated: “Al Billes’ Camaro reset an official IHRP series ET record of 3.602 while Al Martorino is recognised for the fastest mph run of the season with that 214.92 in the finals.”
While the final series points have yet to be affirmed officially – it does appear the Jay Santos (Halton Hills ON) will grab that honour despite his first round exit from eliminations at this event.
The entry list for the IHRP season concluding event did include a couple of new participants with the popular machines of Paul Coull (TS Corvette) and Tony Pontieri (MMPS Camaro) — both coming to race and both qualifying.
The final weekend for Ontario’s CHP/IHRP Pro Mod scene — did include some consequences — with serious incidents experienced by “Big Sal” Cammisuli’s Pro Mod Mustang, Tony Piselli’s Outlaw Pro Street Camaro (former Nick Agostino Camaro) and also Ian Hill’s daughter Alexx during the weekend. While car damage was very severe in all cases – thankfully premium driver safety standards paid dividends with no series injuries.
*DragRaceCanada will post the CHU (race #6) portion results separately – coming soon.
Posted by Bruce Biegler
Photos by Steve Lowry and Blake Farnan
