With close to two dozen Pro Modified teams in Ontario and Western New York, there was a need for these teams to compete on a regular basis in front of their local fans. After meetings with several teams late in the fall of 2004, a race series format was established with regulations, race dates, venues, and purses.

Believing this type of series viable and with an initial nucleus of cars and teams from Ontario and New York State, the Pro Modified Racing Association was formed, running a five-race schedule in 2005. It is self-governing with its own payouts and set of technical rules as outlined by the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) and the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA).

Pro Modified teams from Ontario and New Brunswick, along with teams from New York, Michigan, Massachusetts and Maryland have competed in PMRA events.

Since its inception about 15 years ago, the Pro Modified class has become one of drag racing's most popular divisions, with large engines and a variety of unique body styles, propelling the cars to quarter-mile speeds of over 230-mph with low six-second times. This class, known as “the world’s fastest door slammers,” always attracts attention and interest wherever they compete.

Since 2005, the PMRA has continued to entertain fans at tracks in Ontario, Quebec, and New York, and the teams are comfortable at running on either quarter-mile or eighth-mile strips.

Not to be overshadowed by the competition on the track, the PMRA presents itself off-track in a close-knit atmosphere with teams taking part in social activities such as barbeques and other gatherings at race venues. In past years, the teams have become close and are always willing to help each other out with parts and work to make that next round.

PMRA teams work within an association environment, providing a solid basis for the series. The teams work as a group, with each team having a say in how the series is implemented.

Pro Modified Racing Overview

One of the most popular divisions in drag racing, Pro Modified captures the true spirit of hot rodding. Bursting on the scene several years ago, this division offers a widely diverse group of race cars with a variety of over 2000-horsepower engines propelling the cars down the quarter-mile in the low six-second range at speeds well over 230 mph. There have been several under-six second passes in this class.

The Pro Modified class was an extension of Top Sportsman racing, but now offers unique body styles and huge supercharged or nitrous oxide powered engines. Body styles range from 1933 Willys coupes through early 1950s Studebakers to split-window Corvette Sting Rays.

By the mid-1990s, the class became very popular with fans, and through the efforts of such competitors as Charles Carpenter, Ed Hoover of South Carolina, Johnny Rocca of Virginia, the New York team of Fred Hahn and Jim Oddy, and Al Billes and Gary Irving of Ontario, the class grew in stature and popularity.

The International Hot Rod Association embraced Pro Modified as a competitive class in 1990. Missouri's Tim McAmis was the first IHRA Pro Modified champ in 1990, and cars were running the low to mid-seven elapsed times with speeds of around 200-mph.

Several PMRA drivers compete in IHRA and NHRA national events, including Mike Stawicki and Mike Janis, both of New York, John Russo of Massachusetts, and Ontario drivers Carl Spiering, Mark Nielsen, and Tony Pontieri.

Since its inception until the end of the 2007 season, the PMRA has had only one repeat winner. Joe Boniferro of Niagara Falls, Ontario, won the 2006 and 2007 Grand Bend Motorplex races. He also was co-champion in 2006 with Kasey Janzen of St. Catharines, Ontario.

Joe Lilienthal of Kenmore, New York won the 2006 PMRA title, and for 2007, Bruce Boland of Hamilton, Ontario was champion.

Today's Pro Modified teams have the choice of running either a supercharged engine with a maximum displacement of 527-cubic inches, or an unblown-engine with nitrous oxide in a powerplant of up to a whopping 820-cubic inches.

Turbocharged engines are not allowed. Minimum weights for the front-engined cars are 2425 pounds for nitrous and 2700 pounds for supercharged.

Wheelbases range from 100 to 115 inches. This modern racing equipment can be shrouded in a wide variety of body styles, from coupe bodies of the 1930s to early 1950s Corvettes, to more modern-looking Camaros, Novas, and Mopars.

In 2001 the National Hot Rod Association adopted Pro Modified racing, and while the class has become popular at selected events, the NHRA is still treating Pro Modified racing with an exhibition status.

Pro Modified racing offers the best in heads-up racing with a fantastic variety of race cars. The PMRA presents the best in Pro Modified action in one of North America's most populated areas.