Ike Maier (Brad Turk photo)

Words by Bruce Mehlenbacher
Photos by Brad Turk and Mike Goodwin

It was Ike Maier’s day. The Tottenham, Ontario, racer qualified his 1963 Corvette Pro Modified number one for the PMRA season opener and stayed on top during the weekend to win his first PMRA event.

“We finally won something,” said Maier after his win. “But I have to thank the team. I just get in and drive. I certainly have to thank Kirk (crew chief Silbermann) and Carl (Spiering of ERD). I wouldn’t be here without them.”

Maier was pitted against Jack Grainy of North Tonawanda, NY, in the final, and although Grainy cut a better light, his 1967 Camaro suffered tire shake and he had to let off. Maier’s final was a 6.158-second, 230.49-mph run against the 7.435-second, 141.42-mph clocking of Grainy, who qualified second in the eight-car field. (Mike Goodwin photo)

The semi-finals pitted Maier against Bruce Boland of Hamilton, Ont. Maier eliminated fifth qualifier Boland in B&B Racing 1967 Nova with a 6.151-second, 230.72-mph pass over Boland’s losing 6.796-second, 171.05 mph effort. Although Boland’s .155-second reaction time was quicker than Maier’s .281-second reaction time, Maier had the power to get the job done.

And in one of the tightest races of the day, Grainy ran a 6.398-second, 225.45-mph clocking over Joe Boniferro of Niagara Falls, Ont., with a 6.455-second, 219.33-mph pass.

Joe Boniferro  (Brad Turk photo)

Boniferro in the “Smokin’ Joe’s” 1999 Avenger cut a .034-second light while Grainy cut a slower .082 light, but Grainy powered past him for the win. Grainy, of New York, was the lone U.S. Pro Modified racer by elimination time.