Hawker Set for Sopomore PMRA Season
After placing second in his first Pro Mod season, Ontario Corvette pilot will continue on with proven setup….
By: Tim Miller
CORBYVILLE, ONTARIO – Derek Hawker’s game plan for competing in the 2011 Pro Modified Racing Association season is simple: the driver of the Hawker Racing Corvette is leaving well enough alone.
After placing second in the Pro Modified Racing Association Championship Point Award Series presented by Magnum Auto Parts and Patio Passport in 2010, Hawker said the car will continue with the same combination.“Everything is pretty much the same as last year,” he said. “The car will look identical, and we’re going to run pretty much the same deal.”
Hawker’s rookie year in PMRA racing was highlighted with a victory in round two of the series at the Cayuga Dragway of Toronto Motorsports Park July 4. He also took a runner-up placing at Cayuga during the opening round. He tallied a quarter-final and a pair of semi-finals at the Grand Bend Motorplex during the year.
The 1963 Corvette Sting Ray is powered by a 526-cubic inch Alan Johnson engine with a PSI 14-71 supercharger sitting on top, and a fuel system courtesy of Atchison Racing.
A Lenco three-speed is hooked to the back of the engine, and the drive train sits in a Vanishing Point Race Cars chassis.
While he said there were few changes on the car, the team did replace the engine block, which was damaged racing late in the season.
With Scott Sager as crew chief, Tim Whalen as co-crew chief and the rest of the team includes family members Corrie, McKenzie and Brittany.The team is sponsored by Hawker Construction, Pennzoil, and Empey Tire.
Aside from racing in the PMRA, Hawker mentioned he may take in some NHRA races. He plans on running in the entire PMRA tour this year, which starts with the Victoria Day Weekend May 20-22 at Cayuga.
“We plan on racing in the whole series,” he said. “It’s a great series, and well organized. I can hardly wait.”
For more information contact Bruce F. Mehlenbacher at Bruce@PMRA.ca
