After a season with a new car, Al Hinds said he’ll be ready to show the team’s full potential for the 2009 Pro Modified Racing Association Tour.
 
“We haven’t made a lot of changes, he said recently. “But we’ve got more power courtesy of Carl Spiering and Terry Vince at ERD (Engine Research & Development).”
 
The Corvette’s fuel system is built by ERD, and supplies the fuel to the Alan Johnson 526-cubic inch TFX engine. A PSI supercharger sits on top of the engine, and a Lenco three-speed transmission is coupled to it.

After a season with a new car, Al Hinds said he’ll be ready to show the team’s full potential for the 2009 Pro Modified Racing Association Tour.
 
“We haven’t made a lot of changes, he said recently. “But we’ve got more power courtesy of Carl Spiering and Terry Vince at ERD (Engine Research & Development).”
 
The Corvette’s fuel system is built by ERD, and supplies the fuel to the Alan Johnson 526-cubic inch TFX engine. A PSI supercharger sits on top of the engine, and a Lenco three-speed transmission is coupled to it.
 
With Pro Modified veteran driver Gary Irving behind the wheel of the Hinds Motorsports 2004 Corvette, the team had a shakedown year in 2008 learning the new racecar, and although they did not make all the events, there were moments that showed the new car was a force.
 
During qualifying at the Grand Bend Motorplex in 2008, Irving set the pace as top qualifier with a 6.119-second, 223.99 mph pass. Unfortunately they went out in the first round during that race, but Hinds commented the car should be sorted out for the first race of the season at Cayuga May 16 and 17.
 
The multi-colored, visually stimulating Corvette is once again sponsored by Quaker State, but Hinds said the former graphics have been replaced with more traditional logos of the oil company.
 
Performance World Custom Car Shows, Suds Express Car Washes, Jiffy Lube, NGK Spark Plugs, Medeco Security Locks, Roberts Boxed Meats, Lowdown Hot Rods, DTI Diversified Transportation, and Strange Engineering round out the team’s sponsorship.
 
The Corvette, sitting on a Lowdown Hot Rods chassis, is totally IHRA and NHRA legal, and Hinds added the team plans to compete in selected events with both sanctions.
 
Along with car owner Hinds and driver Irving, Tom VanDerGeld will be co crew-chief with Irving. Mike Wagg will also help in the mechanical duties, and Al Heaney will provide other necessary duties while the team is at the track.
 
Hinds mentioned the team plans to compete at more PMRA races in 2009. “We want to participate more this year,” he said. “We were sorting out the car last year, but we’ve got the tune-up now. We’ll be at the majority of the races.”
 
Hinds also mentioned he may drive the Corvette occasionally, but Irving will be the main person behind the wheel.
 
“Gary and I may share some of the driving duties,” he said. “But Gary knows his stuff. Why change if it’s not broke?”
 
Hinds also mentioned he believes the car is capable of some fast passes, and is ready to tap into the car’s potential.
 
“And I want to give Gary the opportunity to go in the five’s.” 

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