Inclement Weather Ups Drama for PMRA Season Finale
Poor weather at Grand Bend Motorplex last weekend washed out the “Thunder by the Beach” event and has postponed eliminations yet again for the PMRA, Quick 32 and PBSS Series. That sets up some high drama for all those series finales — coming next weekend at Cayuga Dragway (Sep. 9-11th)…..
Racing in the Pro Modified Racing Association, the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, and the Pro Bike & Sled Series was postponed over the Labor Day weekend due to inclement weather.
The racing, part of the Teamsters “Thunder by the Beach” weekend at the Grand Bend Motorplex, could not continue after qualifying due to the constant rain.
The event will be completed during the sixth and final race of the series at the Cayuga Dragway of Toronto Motorsports Park September 9-11.
“It’s unfortunate we could not get this show in,” noted Bruce Mehlenbacher, Director of Operation for all three drag race series. “Grand Bend officials and track workers tried all they could to keep the track, but the constant rain forced the postponement.”
While the qualifying sessions were completed at Grand Bend, only one elimination round in the Quick 32 Sportsman Series and the PBSS was completed. Eliminations for this postponed race will be held during the qualifying sessions for the upcoming Cayuga event, along with the twice-postponed final rounds of all three series from the Stratford Spectacular Hot August Nationals held at Grand Bend August 5-7. There will be a test and tune session Friday, September 9, while racing will begin Saturday September 10.
Latino, Kopp, Hyde, and Orfanidis lead Round 5 Qualifying
Qualifying rounds were completed for round #5 for the Pro Modified Racing Association, the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, and the Pro Bike & Sled Series at the Grand Bend Motorplex.
This event, round five of all three drag race series, is part of the track’s Teamsters “Thunder by the Beach” weekend race.
Eric Latino set the pace in Pro Modified, qualifying number one in PMRA competition. The Whitby, Ontario driver of the 1969 Camaro took top spot with a 5.966-second, 240.70-mph pass to lead the field. Mike Stawicki of Media, New York, is second on the ladder with a 5.974, 239.17 posting, and third is Bruce Boland of Hamilton, Ontario with a 6.114, 233.94.
Rick Kopp of Burlington, Ontario heads up the Top Dragster side of the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, recording a 6.163, 225.39 run with his BAE-powered Mike Bos dragster. Second is James Lichty of Linwood, Ontario with a 6.442, 210.77, and Michael Hinbest of Orangeville, Ontario qualified third at 6.494, 195.65.
On the Top Sportsman ladder of the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, Spencer Hyde of Stratford, Ontario leads in qualifying with a 6.807, 201.38 pass in his 2007 Cobalt, followed by Peter Edwards of Honeoye, New York at 6.855, 204.08, and third is Kevin Wicke of Stratford, Ontario with a 6.915, 198.71 posting.
Eric Latino
