PMRA at Toronto

Boland back in the winner’s circle

Words by Bruce Mehlenbacher
Photos by Brennan Shortall, Bruce Biegler and Dave Erauw

The third session of the Pro Modified Racing Association, the Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts, and the Pro Bike & Sled Series presented by Wiseco Performance Products was run June 22-24 at the Cayuga Dragway of Toronto Motorsports Park during the track’s Canadian Nitro Nationals.

Three-time PMRA champion Bruce Boland returned to his winning ways capturing the PMRA final, Michael Hinbest drove his Top Dragster to his first win in Quick 32 Sportsman Series racing, and Pete Stewart took another win in the PBSS.

Bruce Boland  (Bruce Biegler photo)

Taking the number one spot in and his third of the season in PMRA competition was Bruce Boland of Hamilton, Ontario. Boland, a three-time champion, posted a 6.005-second, 238.05-mph pass with his 1941 Willys Pro Modified.

Second in qualifying was Derek Hawker of Corbyville, Ontario, and third was Kenny Lang of Grand Pointe, Manitoba. Peter Farber of Baldwinville, Mass., and Eric Latino of Whitby, Ont., rounded out the top five.

Bruce Boland was happy to get the win. (Bruce Biegler photo)

Boland took his first win of the season, defeating Kenny Lang of Grande Point, Manitoba, in the final round. Boland also qualified number one for the race with a 6.005-second, 238.05-mph pass, his fourth straight number one qualifying run in PMRA racing.

Lang struggled after leaving the line, while Boland motored on to a solid 6.008, 237.71 drive over Lang’s 9.824, 94.14. Semi-finalists were Rocky Dilecce of Mississauga, Ont., and Eric Latino of Whitby, Ont.

Michael Hinbest  (Dave Erauw photo)

Hinbest, of Orangeville, Ont., marched through a strong field of Top Dragster entries in the Quick 32 Sportsman Series to meet up with Top Sportsman driver Spencer Hyde in the event final. With his supercharged ERD-powered Mike Bos dragster, Hinbest left first and drove to a 6.551, 198.09 win over the 7.043, 196.82 of the 1968 Camaro of Hyde, from Stratford, Ont.

On his way to the final, Hinbest, who qualified number four, took out Top Dragster finalist Bill Moloughney of Shawville, Quebec. Victor Puglia of Clarence Center, NY, and Brody VanDerGeld of Cambridge, Ont., were semi-finalists.