2008 PMRA Champion goes out on high note, sells car and retires from racing

To celebrate his 2008 Pro Modified Racing Association championship, Bruce Boland went out and bought himself a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
 
“I bought a new Harley yesterday,” Boland said the day after he won the PMRA Championship, his second such title in two years.
 
The driver of the B&B Racing 1963 Corvette has also sold his car, less engine, and plans to be a part of the local Pro Modified scene next year, but will not be racing on a regular basis.

2008 PMRA Champion goes out on high note, sells car and retires from racing

To celebrate his 2008 Pro Modified Racing Association championship, Bruce Boland went out and bought himself a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
 
“I bought a new Harley yesterday,” Boland said the day after he won the PMRA Championship, his second such title in two years.
 
The driver of the B&B Racing 1963 Corvette has also sold his car, less engine, and plans to be a part of the local Pro Modified scene next year, but will not be racing on a regular basis.
 
“Right now I’m 90 percent certain I’m not going to be racing,” commented the racer. “But I’m going to be around and observe. Let’s say I’m semi-retired.”
 
Boland has been a member of the Pro Modified Racing Association since its inception, and while he has not outright won many events, he has almost always qualified and made rounds. For the six events of 2008, he was declared co-winner of the race at New York International Raceway Park (with Mike Stawicki), and for the other five events he was a semi-finalist.
 
Boland held a slim lead in the points over Terry Brown of Caledonia, Ontario in the latter stages of the season, and after last weekend’s racing at Cayuga Dragway, finished 50 points ahead of Brown and his 1971 Challenger.
 
Boland’s strategy in 2008 was simple, and a repeat of his 2007 season: stay consistent, attend all the races, and don’t beat up on the race car.
 
“Our game plan was the same for this year as last year,” he said. “Sure, I wanted a couple of wins, but I tried to remain in the hunt the whole season. You don’t go out there and try and kill yourself and your car trying to be number one all the time.”
 
Boland also mentioned he would like to see the PMRA points structure altered in terms of attendance. “I’d like to see fewer points for attendance. I think it would work better that if you missed a race you still had a chance. Right now if you miss one race it’s very difficult to play catch-up.”
 
Boland was quick to mention that his success would not have happened without the help of his team and several others.
 
“I want to thank my crew, Brad Short, Robbie Cesario, and Mark and Effie Dochstader of Backwoods Excavating. I also want to thank my wife Laura for her support.”
 
Boland also was appreciative of the help and support from Carl Spiering, Terry Vince, and Rob Becker from the Engine Research and Development (ERD) shops. “Carl helped immensely this year, with tune-ups, parts, and advice.”
 
Placing third for 2008 behind Boland and Brown was Joe Boniferro of Niagara Falls, Ontario and Jeff Roth of Kitchener, Ontario was fourth.
 
“The PMRA has been a great series for racers like me,” he continued. I want to thank Bruce (Mehlenbacher), his team and all the sponsors of the series for their support.”