Latino wins north of the border

Words by Bruce Mehlenbacher - Photos by Brad Turk and Larry Crum/IHRA

Eric Latino returned to the winner’s circle July 22, capturing the Pro Modified Racing Association event held as part of the IHRA MOPAR Nitro Jam Nationals at the Grand Bend Motorplex. 

The race was the fourth of seven on the 2012 PMRA tour. Latino’s win was his fourth in PMRA competition.


(Larry Crum/IHRA photo)

Driving his Team Green 1969 Chevy Camaro Pro Modified, Latino, of Whitby, Ontario, bested Rocky Di Lecce of Mississauga, Ont., in the final round held on the Grand Bend quarter-mile strip.

Latino qualified fourth in the event with a 6.057-second, 238.09-mph posting. Di Lecce qualified his 1968 Camaro third with a 6.005 run, just behind number two qualifier Jeff Roth of New Dundee, Ont., with a 6.004 in his Willys, while number one qualifier was Bruce Boland of Hamilton, Ont., with a 5.979 posting in his Willys.


Jeff Roth  (Brad Turk photo)
Jay Santos  (Brad Turk photo)


Latino eliminated Boland in the semi-final, and posted a 5.999, his best of the show, while Di Lecce drove by Roth in the other semi. In the closest race of the day, Latino ran a 237.55 with a 6.080 over number-five qualifier Jay Santos of Halton Hills, Ont., in the first round, who was right there with a 6.093, 237.75. Latino had cut a 0.062-second reaction time, while Santos recorded a 0.079 light.

In other first round action, Boland eliminated number eight qualifier Jack Grainy of North Tonawanda, New York, Roth took out Sam Andreacchi of Toronto, Ont., who qualified seventh, and Di Lecce eliminated number six qualifier Derek Hawker of Corbyville, Ont.

With his win, Latino has moved into second place in the Pro Modified Racing Association 2012 Championship Point Award Series presented by Global Emissions Systems, Inc. with 1049 points. Leading at present is three-time PMRA champion Boland with 1074 points. Boland also set the low elapsed time (5.979) and top speed (240.47) of the meet. Third in the series is Roth with 1033 points fourth is Grainy with 1016 points, and Di Lecce is fifth with 1014 points.

The next event is the South Coast Community Weekend August 3-5 at the Cayuga Dragway of Toronto Motorsports Park. The PMRA’s two companion series, the Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA and the Pro Bike & Sled Series presented by Wiseco Performance Products will also compete at this event.