Words by Bruce Mehlenbacher
Photos by Brad Turk

It was a close race, but Eric Latino won the opening round of the 2010 Pro Modified Racing Association season. Held on the Cayuga Dragway of Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario, Latino, of Port Perry, Ont., won with a 6.47-second, 206-mph pass over Derek Hawker of Corbyville, Ont., with a 6.51-second, 215 mph run.

The win was the first at a PMRA race for Latino and his 1938 Chevy Coupe.  For Hawker, driving his Atchison-powered 1963 Corvette, it was his first race in PMRA competition. 

Latino qualified fifth in the field, and Hawker qualified in sixth spot.

“We had a good day,” said Latino after the race, which opened the sixth season of PMRA racing. “We played it safe. We were consistent, and the car went down the track every single pass.”

In the semi-finals, Jeff Roth (shown) of New Dundee, Ont., lost the combination with his 1941 Willys, losing traction and the round to Hawker. In the other semi, Dave Kulik Jr. of East Aurora, NY, with his 1967 Camaro lost to Latino.

Several PMRA regulars failed to qualify for the season opener, including three-time and reigning champion Bruce Boland of Hamilton, Ontario, Mark Nielsen of Brantford, Ontario, and Mike Cusimano of Rochester, NY.