Roth team ready to do some hauling
in 2008 PMRA series

New team to debut 1957 Chevy in
Pro Modified rookie season

NEW DUNDEE, ONTARIO (January 25, 2008) – Jim Roth is planning to put his new hauler to good use this year on the Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA) circuit.

“I’ve got a new hauler,” said the owner of J & J Roth Racing recently. “And we’re going to do some traveling.”

Roth and the rest of his team will also be doing some quarter-mile traveling as the team enters its first year of PMRA competition. With son Jeff driving, the team will debut a 1957 Chevrolet Pro Modified, which is in the process of receiving a host of changes from its previous owner.

“We’re making a bunch of changes to the car,” stated Roth, who has campaigned an alcohol Funny Car in the past and will continue to do so as time allows.

A fresh Alan Johnson 526-cubic inch, Atchison Racing engine with a Kobelco supercharger will power the ’57. Then, according to Roth, the car will be worked on at Lowdown Hotrods in Cambridge, Ontario, before it is cosmetically updated.

“The car will have a totally new paint scheme,” added Roth. “And we usually have some pretty wild paint schemes.”

One component on the new car will be the seldom-used Lenco automatic transmission, which is similar to the regular Lenco transmission, but with no clutch. Roth said the team’s Funny Car uses this setup, and will put the same into the Pro Modified.

Operating the Lenco-drive will be almost the same as the conventional unit. “You still have to shift,” said Roth. “You still have to push the buttons.”

 Assisting team owner Jim Roth, and son Jeff, who is now 25 and has graduated through the ranks from Junior Dragster racing in 1992 to obtaining his IHRA Pro Funny Car license in 2007, is crew chief Dave Bankes.

“Dave has been our crew chief for three years and does a great job tuning the car,” said Roth. “He’s also famous for exceeding the team budget, which he’s been successful at again this year,” Roth added jokingly.

The Kitchener-based team presently is sponsored in part by Atchison Racing of London, Ontario, and Oak Grove Cheese in New Hamburg, Ontario.

Roth mentioned the team will be ready for the PMRA season opener, the Victoria Day Weekend - PMRA Challenge, at Toronto Motorsports Park May 17 and 18, and is looking forward to the series.

“We want to race,” he said. “And we’re convinced the PMRA deal is the way to go.”

PMRA tour stops in 2008 include two dates at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario, Lancaster Raceway Park in New York State, Sanair in Quebec and the Southwestern Ontario track of Grand Bend Motorplex.

Negotiations are underway with several US race tracks based in Michigan, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania with the plan of presenting a seven-event PMRA drag racing series this season.