GRAND BEND, ONTARIO (September 1, 2013) – The Pro Modified Racing Association celebrated its final points race of the season for 2013 with a first-time winner during the “Thunder by the Beach†Weekend event at the Grand Bend Motorplex.
Winning his first PMRA race was second-year driver Paolo Giust, who drove solidly and consistently to win his first Pro Modified event.
“We are certainly happy with the win,” Giust said after the race. “We struggled a bit at the start of the season but we have it figured out now.”
Qualifying the Paolo & Shannon Giust Racing 1963 Corvette powered by a BAE supercharged hemi engine, Giust, of Osgoode, Ontario, qualified third in the field with a 6.369-second, 229.06-mph pass behind Rocky Di Lecce of Mississauga, Ontario and Jeff Roth of New Hamburg, Ontario.
Giust eliminated Jack Grainy of Basom, New York, and Roth, to meet up with number five qualifier Derek Hawker of Corbyville, Ontario in the final. Although Hawker posted a 6.277 at 230.76 against Giust’s 6.330, 213.57, Giust was first off the line with a .049-second reaction time over Hawker’s .130 which gave him the winning edge and the victory.
Giust was quick to thank the efforts of Jim Salemi of G-Force Race Cars, Jon Salemi of Resolution Racing Services, and Mike Stawicki of MSR Engines for their efforts in his success.
“Jim and Jon and Mike got it all figured out,” Giust said. “They got me to the winner’s circle.”
Giust also wanted to thank his crew, crew chief Jamie Clarmo, along with Shannon Giust, Jamie Petric, Matt Maxsom, Sherri Clarmo and Joe Kavanagh.
“I certainly have to thank my team,” he noted. “Without them I could not go Pro Modified racing.”