Roth Racing Readies for 2014 Roll
Kitchener Ontario-based Roth Racing who have been a mainstay within Canada’s PMRA circuit since inception will be back for career year #9 this season…
The team will field their uber fan favourite and supercharged Willys Coupe when the PMRA kicks things off this coming May 16-18th at Grand Bend Motorplex.
Although he is relatively young at 33, Jeff Roth has been racing since he was eight, and drag racing since he was 16. He has also raced Pro Modified for the past eight years, and said he has seen lots of changes in the class.
“These cars have gotten more and more aggressive over the years”, he said, as well as the technology. “A driver has had to adapt to these changes.”
And the driver of the 1941 Willys Pro Modified believes he has adapted, adding he will continue to learn as he takes the Roth Racing entry into the upcoming season of the Pro Modified Racing Association.
After a two-year stint with a 1957 Chevy Pro Modified, the Roths, Jeff along with father and team owner Jim Roth have campaigned the Willys in the PMRA for the past eight years, and are not making any major changes to the car this year.
Jeff Roth is set to begin his 9th season in Pro Mod class racing.
“We are not doing a whole lot,” he added. “We are doing some chassis updates and our goal this year is to get some 5.90s out of the car.”
Powered by an Alan Johnson 526 engine with a fuel setup from Atchison Racing, a PSI screw-type supercharger sits atop of the powerplant and a Bruno’s Automotive Lenco three-speed transmission is employed. All this sits in a Lowdown Hot Rods chassis. The car ran in the low six-second range last year at about 240 mph, numbers that Roth said he wants to improve upon in 2014.
“Our plan this year is to win some races,” he reinterated. “We have a renewed effort this year.”
Dave Bankes continues as crew chief with the car, with help from Larry Summerfield, Kyle McNeil, Ron Muir, Ashley Roth, and new team member Willy Kerr.
Sponsorship is provided by Oak Grove Cheese, Shellbourne Fuels, and Roth wanted to welcome the team’s newest sponsor, Bright Water Services Inc., adding the team is pleased it is on board. Roth also wanted to thank the involvement of NGK Spark Plugs over the past several seasons.
The Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA), www.PMRA.ca enters its 10th season of popular Pro Modified racing this year, while the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, presented by NAPA Auto Parts, www.Quick32.ca will begin its sixth season, and the Pro Bike & Sled Series (PBSS) presented by Wiseco Performance Products, www.PBSS.ca begins its fourth year of operation. Several times during the race season all three series compete at the same weekend events, offering a colourful, diverse, and exciting package of drag racing action.
The 2014 season for all three series opens May 16-18 at the Grand Bend Motorplex with the running of the RPM Magazine / Lucas Oil MAYHEM at the BEND Presented By Mickey Thompson Tires.
Posted by: Tim Miller
Photos by: Bruce Biegler
