CAYUGA, ONTARIO (October 15, 2013) – A strong competitor with her Top Dragster entry, Melanie Simmons Salemi enjoyed a good 2013 season in the Quick 32 Sportsman Series.
Driving her Toyrific Racing Team Mike Bos dragster, Simmons Salemi qualified for all six events this year in the fifth year of the series, presented once again by NAPA Auto Parts.
Qualifying fourth for the season opener in Martin, Michigan, Simmons Salemi was eliminated in the first round, and after qualifying eighth for the next race, on the Cayuga Dragway of Toronto Motorsports Park, she made it to the semi-final.
For the next race—also at Cayuga—she qualified sixth but was out in the first round. But in the fourth race, after qualifying fourth, Simmons Salemi went all the way in the event, winning the Top Dragster eliminations as well as taking the event title over Top Sportsman winner Kevin Wicke of Stratford, Ontario.
For the final two events, held at the Grand Bend Motorplex, she qualified sixth and fifth respectively, and was eliminated in the second round in both events.
The dragster is powered by an ERD built 509-cubic inch big-block Chevy engine, supercharged, and with a Resolution Racing Services fuel system. An Abruzzi two-speed Powerglide sits behind the powerplant.
The car is capable of mid six-second runs at about 205 mph at the hands of Simmons Salemi, whose hometown is Orillia, Ontario.
Crew chief for the team is her father, Roger Simmons, while husband Jon Salemi looks after the tuning for the team. The crew consists of Colin Steels, Mike Scott, Tanner Simmons, Suzanne Simmons, Evan Salemi and Akyra Salemi.
Sponsorship comes from Jackson Transportation Systems, Delta Faucet Canada, Brampton Pallet Inc., ERD (Engine Research & Development), Auto Sense Auto Parts, Auto Logic Service Expert, Castrol, Extreme Collision Centre, NGK Spark Plugs, Resolution Racing Services, G-Force Race Cars Inc. and RS Performance Auto Service.
The Annual “Night of Champions” Championship Point Award Series Banquet for the Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA), the Quick 32 Sportsman Series and the Pro Bike & Sled Series (PBSS) will be held at the Burlington Hotel & Conference Centre in Burlington, Ontario on Saturday, November 16, 2013.
The Quick 32 Sportsman Series will compete at all these events in conjunction with its companion series, the Pro Modified Racing Association, and the Pro Bike & Sled Series, providing an exciting, colorful, and complete show of the best in drag racing action.
For more information, contact Bruce F. Mehlenbacher at Bruce@Quick32.ca.