2005 News Updates...

May 22/07

Hello everyone. Another great weekend at the track. The weather was the nicest I can remember in quite a while, for the May long weekend. The KC Auto team spent Friday at the track testing. We ran the wheels off the car. Nothing worked on Friday. Friday night, we changed everything on the car. Front to back. Saturday looked promising. The car went out on the first qualifier, and actually went down the track. We were back. The KC Auto team ran 6.64 at 207 mph. This qualified us number 4. First round of eliminations was here. The car left good. We were ahead. Then the car let us down again. The rear end had broken. A disappointing finish to the weekend. The team worked hard all weekend, and Skinny Joe (his first time driving the car), had done a great job. Our next outing is the KC Auto Day at Toronto Motorsports Park, June 16th. Hope to see everyone there. Every weekend at the races is a great weekend. Kasey.

Former PMRA Champions to team up in 2007

Lilienthal to drive Janzen’s KC Motorsports Lumina

ST. CATHARINES, ONTARIO (March 31, 2007) – Two PMRA champions are teaming up for what could be a strong offensive for the upcoming Pro Modified Racing Association tour.

One of last year’s co-winners, Kasey Janzen of St. Catharines, ON, will be handing over the driving duties to 2005 PMRA champ Joe Lilienthal of Kenmore, NY.

“ I’m stepping down this year,” said Janzen, who has raced the KC Motorsports Chevy Lumina Pro Modified for several seasons. “I’m more interested in the back side of racing,” he added. “I want to get more into the clutch management and the computer side of things.”

“ Joe and I have talked about this for a while, and I’m going to let him drive. He’s certainly capable of it. I’m happy to have him drive the car.”
Janzen said the car, which is just about ready for the season, has not changed much except for driving adjustments for Lilienthal.

“ We’ve got the car set up for Joe’s driving. Joe has a different routine to launching the car than I do. We’re pretty well ready to test it.”

Lilienthal, a 30-year drag racing veteran, has been a crowd-pleaser with his bright yellow Jeep-bodied Pro Modified. He has also crewed for Janzen in the past, so now the roles are reversed.

Never one to shy away from any track, Lilienthal said he is looking forward to driving the Raybestos/Wix Filters/KC Auto Parts Lumina.
“ Kasey and I have been friends off the track and friendly rivals on the track for a long time,” he said. “We’ve talked about this, and we decided to give it a try.”

The team plans to run the full 2007 PMRA schedule.

Now in its third year of operation, The Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA), www.ProModifiedRacing.com, has enjoyed strong fan popularity and will present some of the best in Pro Modified racing for 2007.

The PMRA will travel to several drag strips in 2007, including two dates at Toronto Motorsports Park, Lancaster Raceway Park in New York State, Sanair in Quebec, and the Southwestern Ontario track of Grand Bend Motorplex.

In 2006, the tour was a great success, and during the past two seasons of the PMRA, each event finished with a different winner. Joe Boniferro and Kasey Janzen tied in points last year and were crowned co-champions over the other Ontario, Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania teams. Wix Filtration Products, Valvoline, a division of Ashland Inc., Uni-Select, and Moen Incorporated will sponsor the PMRA points series in 2007.

Photo courtesy of: Dwayne Young, RINet/CMSports.com

For more information, about the PMRA contact: Bruce F. Mehlenbacher Mehlenbacher@ProModifiedRacing.com

Oct 13/06
PMRA final snowed out at Lancaster Raceway
Boniferro and Janzen 2006 co-champions

CLARENCE, NY (October 13, 2006) - The Pro Modified Racing Association Challenge presented by G-Force Race Cars finale scheduled to take place at Lancaster Raceway Park on Saturday, October 14 has been cancelled due to extreme weather conditions and record snow falls.

"The city of Buffalo and the surrounding areas are in a state of emergency and thousands of homes are out of power, explained PMRA Director of Operations Bruce Mehlenbacher. "That made our decision to cancel our final event very simple. Believe it or not there are some things in life more important than racing.

Joe Boniferro climbed into top spot in the standings with his PMRA win at the Grand Bend Motorplex and is tied Kasey Janzen for the race for the 2007 Championship. With the cancellation of the Lancaster event, Mehlenbacher explained that both top drivers will share in the 2006 championship and we will start planning for 2007.

Both Boniferro, of Niagara Falls, ON, and Janzen, of St. Catharines, have amassed 1440 points, while 2005 PMRA champion Joe Lilienthal of Kenmore, NY, and is right behind with 1430 points.

The Chevy Beretta of Sonny and Jack Grainy of North Tonawanda, NY, are next in order with 1320 points, and they are tied with the Rude Stude Racing team of Mark Mitchell of East Otto, NY.

The 2006 PMRA CHAMPIONS BANQUET will be held at the CopaCabana Steakhouse in Niagara Falls, Ontario, on Thursday, November 9.

Driver Hometown Make Entry Points
1 Kasey Janzen St. Catharines, Ontario 1993 Chevrolet Lumina Z34 KC Motorsports 1440
1 Joe Boniferro Niagara Falls, Ontario 1999 Dodge Avenger Smokin Joe's 1440
3 Joe Lilienthal Kenmore, New York 1968 Jeep My Vice Racing 1430
4 Jack Grainy North Tonawanda, New York 1990 Chevrolet Beretta Grainy Bros. Racing 1320
4 Mark Mitchell East Otto, New York 1953 Studebaker Rude Stude Racing 1320
6 Dave Earhart Strathroy, Ontario 2002 Chevrolet Camaro Earhart Racing 980
7 Mark Nielson Brantford, Ontario 2000 Chevrolet Camaro Nielsen Motorsports 740
8 Terry Brown Caledonia, Ontario 1971 Dodge RT Challenger Terry Brown Racing 720
9 Bruce Boland Hamilton, Ontario 1933 Willys B&B Racing 700
9 Rob Laperriere Oshawa, Ontario 1972 Chevrolet Vega prohotrodz Racing 700
11 Carl Spiering Jordan Station, Ontario 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Carl Spiering Motorsports 390
12 Jerry Bowles Gadshill, Ontario 1941 Willys Diamond Motorsports 380
13 Ralph Andreacchi Maple, Ontario 1953 Studebaker Skull Motorsports 360
14 Fred Jacobs Utica, New York 1994 Chrysler LeBaron Jacobs Motorsports 340
14 Trevor Moulton Fredericton, New Brunswick 2000 Chevrolet Camaro Moulton Racing 340
15 Brian Harrison Ortonville, Michigan 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Diamond Racing 300
16 Mike Stawicki Tonawanda, New York 1967 Chevrolet Camaro G-Force Race Cars 0

The PMRA and its member teams traveled to several new drag strips in 2006, including Sanair in Quebec, and the western Ontario tracks of St. Thomas Dragway and the Grand Bend Motorplex. The tour was a great success for the series, which enjoyed strong fan popularity. Negotiations are underway to return to these tracks, along with Toronto Motorsports Park and Lancaster Raceway Park and several other venues to present some of the best in Pro Modified racing for 2007.

For more information, contact Bruce F. Mehlenbacher bruce@jajentertainment.com

Kasey Janzen captures inaugural PMRA race at St. Thomas

Pro Modifieds highlight CANUSA Hot Rod Reunion

In a stand out performance on the St. Thomas Dragway eighth-mile NHRA sanctioned drag strip, Kasey Janzen captured his first victory in the Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA) series moving him into a tie for the series championship lead with Joe Lilienthal.

“The car was good all weekend,” said Kasey Janzen after the event, the second in the five-race PMRA lineup. “We made a couple of adjustments to the car and it paid off.”

The win for Janzen driving the KC Motorsports team’s 1993 Chevrolet Lumina Z34 built by Wally Stroupe Race Cars marked the seventh different winner in as many races in the PMRA series and was part of the track’s CANUSA Hot Rod Reunion at St. Thomas Dragway in Sparta, Ontario.

Kasey Janzen, who is based in St. Catharines, ON, and placed third in the 2005 PMRA season, qualified number four in the field. He defeated Mark Mitchell, of East Otto, New York in the first round, the 2005 PMRA series champions Joe Lilienthal, of Kenmore, New York in the semi-finals and Jack Grainy driving the Grainy Brothers Chevrolet Beretta from North Tonawanda, New York in the final.

“The Grainy Brothers are the veteran team in the series,” said Janzen from the winners circle. “Sonny and Jack are mentors to everyone in the series. I remember the first big drag race I ever went to and the Grainy Brothers were there.”

On their way to the final, the Jack Grainy defeated a red-lighting Joe Boniferro, of Niagara Falls, Ontario in the first round and number two qualifier Bruce Boland, from Hamilton in the semi-finals.

“Kasey Janzen is a class act and if you are going to loose against someone in one of these PMRA deals he is a deserving winner, explained a very happy Jack Grainy. “Kasey and his company KC Auto Parts is a big supporter of our series and helps a bunch of the teams behind the scenes and we all appreciate his help.

Photos by: D Young, RINet/CMSports

PMRA SPECIAL AWARDS
Auto Meter Products - Low Qualifier Contingency Award – Joe Lilienthal, Kenmore, NY
Auto Meter Products - Event Winner Contingency Award - Kasey Janzen, St. Catharines, ON
Bear's Performance Products - Consistent Qualifier Bonus - Bruce Boland, Hamilton, Ontario
Competition Tire Canada/Goodyear Racing Tire - Low Qualifier Contingency Award - Joe Lilienthal, Kenmore, NY
Competition Tire Canada/Goodyear Racing Tire - Event Winner Contingency Award - Kasey Janzen, St. Catharines, ON
ERD (Engine Research and Development) - Low Qualifier Contingency Award
ERD (Engine Research and Development) - Event Winner Contingency Award
Grisdale Racing Products - Best Appearing Car - Dave Earhart, Strathroy, Ontario
Gulfway Insurers - Best Reaction Time & Round Winner - Kasey Janzen, St. Catharines, ON
Needles At Work - Voted by Officials – Grainy Brothers, North Tonawanda, New York
Parts Pro - Crew Chief of the Race Award - Joe Boniferro, Niagara Falls, ON
The Trailer Shop - Longest Tow Award – Mark Mitchell, East Otto, New York

The next Pro Modified Racing Association event, the Eaton PMRA Challenge presented by Eaton's Electrical business of the season will take place Saturday, August 19 at Sanair in St-Pie, Quebec near Montreal.

Sanair will be the third stop for the PMRA's season. Other races for 2006 are at Lancaster Raceway Park in Clarence, NY on September 15 and the Pro Modified Racing Association is pleased to be running inaugural events at the Grand Bend Motorplex, over the Labor Day weekend.

For information about the Eaton PMRA Challenge presented by Eaton’s Electrical business at Sanair, call 1.450.772.6400 or visit online at www.sanairracing.com

PMRA returns to TMP for KC Auto Family Day Thunder Fest

KC Auto Parts to sponsor PMRA at Thunder Fest event

CAYUGA, (June 14, 2006) – The Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA) is pleased to return to Toronto Motorsports Park’s KC Auto Family Day Thunder Fest in Cayuga, Ontario sponsored by KC Auto Parts Saturday, June 24.

"We are thrilled to be a part of this KC Auto Family Day Thunder Fest," said Kasey Janzen from KC Auto Parts, an automotive jobber store supplying the needs of local garages and do-it-yourself mechanics. “KC Motorsports has been very fortunate to be associated with great companies through the years. We have enjoyed long-term support from Moen Faucets, Valvoline, Wix Filters, Raybestos Friction, and Dayco Belts and Hoses.

” The Toronto Motorsports KC Auto Family Day Thunder Fest event will feature the PMRA Pro Modifieds, a Wheel Standing Bus, a Jet Ambulance, Jet Dragsters, the CAN-AM Stock/Super Stock Series the Summit ET Program along with a fireworks show.

"We think the PMRA has a strong future and we are looking forward to their return,” said TMP’s General Manager Lorraine Bergstrand. “Teaming up with the CAN-AM Stock/Super Stock Series and our other KC Auto Family Day Thunder Fest attractions will provide the fans with some terrific action.

" PMRA qualifying is scheduled at 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 24, with eliminations to start at 7:00 p.m. for the quickest eight entries. The semis are scheduled at 8:15 p.m., and the final at 9:30 p.m.

The KC Auto Family Day Thunder Fest at TMP will be the first stop for the PMRA's season. Other races for 2006 are at Lancaster Raceway Park in Clarence, NY on September 15 and the Pro Modified Racing Association is pleased to be running inaugural events at St. Thomas Dragway in Sparta, ON, August 5 and 6, the Eaton PMRA Challenge at Sanair near Montreal scheduled for Saturday, August 19, and at the Grand Bend Motorplex, over the Labor Day weekend.

Joining the PMRA Pro Modified at the KC Auto Family Day Thunder Fest will be the CAN-AM Stock/Super Stock Series. This popular grass-roots drag series which features competitors from Ontario and Michigan, was formed in 1996, and continues to grow each season. The participants, known for their awesome wheelies, are fan favorites wherever they appear.

For information about the KC Auto Family Day Thunder Fest at Toronto Motorsports Park call 1.905.772.0303 (Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET) or visit online at www.torontomotorsportspark.com For more information, contact Bruce F. Mehlenbacher mehlenbacher@ProModifiedRacing.com

About Toronto Motorsports Park:Although it has been known by several names such as Super Boss, Kohler, and Cayuga Dragway, this track opened for racing in 1954, and is Canada’s oldest drag racing facility. Some of the biggest names in the sport have raced at TMP under NHRA, IHRA, and NASCAR sanctioning. Presently an IHRA track which hosts the Canadian Nationals with the IHRA, TMP is open from April to November. This Southern Ontario track is near the banks of the Grand River just outside of Cayuga.
For more information visit their web site www.torontomotorsportspark.com

About the Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA):The Pro Modified Racing Association, www.ProModifiedRacing.com, started late in 2004 and entering its second year of operation, the Pro Modified Racing Association ran five events in 2005 at four Ontario, Quebec, and New York locations, with a different winner at each track. The PMRA provides drag race fans the opportunity see, hear and to experience the popular Pro Modifieds, known as "the world's fastest door slammers". The PMRA is a self-governing organization with its own set of technical and safety rules based on the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) Pro Modified division. Cars in the PMRA capture the true spirit of hot rodding, and the class is one of drag racing’s most exciting and volatile classes, capturing the true spirit of hot rodding and offering a wildly diverse group of racecars with different types of 2,000-horsepower engines. Combining classic body styles and modern equipment, constructors are permitted to extensively modify and enhance both appearance and performance. The cars burn gasoline or methanol, propelling them down the quarter-mile in low six-second times at over 225 miles per hour. The PMRA Pro Modified field is composed of the eight quickest teams from the qualifying rounds.

Joe Lilienthal ready to defend PMRA title in 2006
“ It's always nice to win a championship.”
January 27, 2006

Kenmore, NY – Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA), www.ProModifiedRacing.com, series champion driver Joe Lilienthal has a lot to prove this year as he goes out to defend his PMRA championship. In 2005, with 22 teams in the series, Joe Lilienthal of Kenmore, NY won the first PMRA title over his Ontario, New York, and Pennsylvania competitors.

" It's always nice to win a championship,” explained Joe Lilienthal, driver of the Lilienthal Racing 526-cubic inch Keith Black-constructed 1968 Jeep. "We were in three finals last year and won one of them.”

Lilienthal won the Luskville Dragway event in the JSL Automotive sponsored entry and took runner-up spots at the second Toronto Motorsports Park race and at the final event of the season at Lancaster Raceway Park.

“ Kasey Janzen and I will compete as team-mates this year. That should help improve our program and hopefully we will be able to defend our title,” said Lilienthal. “If it wasn’t for the help from Kasey and Mike Swinarski it would be much more difficult to get out and run with these guys. The PMRA series has a bunch of real stout competitors.”

The Lilienthal Racing entry is powered by an Oddy’s Racing Keith Black power plant, a Littlefield supercharger, an Oddy’s fuel system, all coupled to a Lenco three-speed transmission and clutch.

The PMRA has four events confirmed for the 2006 season, the KC Auto Parts Family Day Celebration at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, ON, Saturday, June 24, and the Pro Modified Racing Association is pleased to be running inaugural events at St. Thomas Dragway in Sparta, ON, August 5 and 6, the Eaton PMRA Challenge at Sanair near Montreal scheduled for Saturday, August 19, and at the Grand Bend Motorplex, over the Labor Day weekend.

PMRA officials are in negotiations with several tracks at present for 2006, both eighth and quarter-mile tracks in Michigan, New York, and Ohio with the plan of presenting a six-event drag racing series in 2006.

Started late in 2004 and entering its second year of operation, the PMRA ran five events in 2005 at four Ontario, Quebec, and New York locations, with a different winner at each track. The PMRA provides drag race fans the opportunity to see and hear popular Pro Modified racing in the class known as “the world’s fastest door slammers.”

The PMRA is a self-governing organization with its own set of technical and safety rules based on the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) Pro Modified division. Cars in the PMRA capture the true spirit of hot rodding, and the class offers a widely diverse group of racecars with different types of 2000-horsepower engines propelling the cars down the quarter-mile in the 6.20-second range at 230 mph.

Kasey Janzen plans a step up at PMRA 2006 drag race events
“ KC Motorsports team will be a force to be reckoned with this season.”

January 20, 2006

St. Catharines, ON – Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA), www.ProModifiedRacing.com, driver Kasey Janzen and KC Motorsports has been involved with blown door slammers for more than 15 years, including involvement in racing the team’s Stroupe-built Lumina to sponsoring race events through his KC Auto Parts company.

“The plan for 2006 is to step up and be prominent in the PMRA season,” said Janzen, who is based in St. Catharines, ON, and placed third in the 2005 PMRA season. “The Lumina is getting a once-over, with the engine receiving upgrades from Oddy's Racing. Together with our team mate Joe Lilienthal, the KC Motorsports team will be a force to be reckoned with this season.”

The racecar is a 1993 Chevrolet Lumina Z34 built by Wally Stroupe Race Cars. The car utilizes a blown Keith Black engine serviced by blower guru Jim Oddy, producing more than 2200-horsepower. This ground-stomping power gets to the ground via an air-shifted three-speed Lenco transmission mated with a Boninfante clutch.

Driver and team owner Kasey Janzen has experienced great success in his racing career. Some of the team’s highlights include numerous wins in IHRA Top Sportsman Quick 8 shootouts, along with wins in UDRA races. The team’s greatest success was taking the championship in the now-defunct CDRS series.

“KC Motorsports has been very fortunate to be associated with great companies through the years,” explained Janzen. “We have enjoyed long-term support from Moen Faucets, Valvoline, Wix Filters, Raybestos Friction, and Dayco Belts and Hoses.” The team’s greatest support comes from KC Auto Parts, an automotive jobber store supplying the needs of local garages and do-it-yourself mechanics.

The PMRA has four events confirmed for the 2006 season, the KC Auto Parts Family Day Celebration at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, ON, Saturday, June 24, and the Pro Modified Racing Association is pleased to be running inaugural events at St. Thomas Dragway in Sparta, ON, August 5 and 6, the Eaton PMRA Challenge at Sanair near Montreal scheduled for Saturday, August 19, and at the Grand Bend Motorplex, over the Labor Day weekend.

PMRA officials are in negotiations with several tracks at present for 2006, both eighth and quarter-mile tracks in Michigan, New York, and Ohio with the plan of presenting a six-event drag racing series in 2006.

Started late in 2004 and entering its second year of operation, the PMRA ran five events in 2005 at four Ontario, Quebec, and New York locations, with a different winner at each track. The PMRA provides drag race fans the opportunity to see and hear popular Pro Modified racing in the class known as “the world’s fastest door slammers.”

The PMRA is a self-governing organization with its own set of technical and safety rules based on the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) Pro Modified division. Cars in the PMRA capture the true spirit of hot rodding, and the class offers a widely diverse group of racecars with different types of 2000-horsepower engines propelling the cars down the quarter-mile in the 6.20-second range at 230 mph.

For more information on the PMRA 2006 race sechedule contact:
Bruce F. Mehlenbacher
Director of Operations
Telephone: 905.772.1800 Ext. #22
Fax: 905.772-1799
Cellular: 905.517.5345
E-mail: mehlenbacher@ProModifiedRacing.com