With only eight weeks remaining until the season opener at Waterford, CT, Speedbowl. April 2 & 3, Valenti Modified Racing Series officials and race teams are hard at work preparing for the new season, the eighth for New England’s premier modified racing tour.

VMRS president Jack Bateman has announced the series will again participate at the 2nd annual Racers Expo, February 25 and 26, at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel, Rte 20, Exit 24B, off Rte 495, Marlborough, MA. Show hours are 4:00 PM to 9 PM on Friday and 10 AM to 7 PM on Saturday.

Organizers have assembled an event that’s sure to be enjoyed by everyone from the most casual motorsports fan to the hardcore enthusiast. Vendors from all over the country will be present to exhibit their products and answer questions. Seminars on safety and marketing are also scheduled. Speedways and touring series will also have displays with representatives available to answer questions.

The annual winter meeting for the VMRS is scheduled for 3:00 PM on Saturday at the Best Western. This is an important session for competitors to attend.

On the same weekend, in Portland Maine, driver Jacob Dore will be on hand to meet and greet race fans at the “Racin Preview 2011” at the Portland Expo, adjacent to Hadlock Field. Dore, the series 2009 Koszela Speed Rookie of the Year, will be available for pictures, autographs, and to answer questions. His racecar will also be on display for the two-day event.

Brand new racecars being prepared for the new campaign with new drivers added to the 2011 roster:

Long time car-owner Gary Casella has purchased a new Troyer Engineering mount for driver Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, PA. The “Roscoe Racing “ team has committed to running all but one event for the 2011 season with a series championship in mind.

Veteran driver, Les Hinckley, Windsor Locks, CT., will pilot a new SPAFCO car for owner Chuck Montville. “We wanted to try a couple of different things this year and we decided lets try them with a new car,” said Hinckley. The car that carried the second-generation driver to second on the all-time win list is for sale. “We still have it and if does not sell, we’ll use it as a back up. It’s practically new with front and rear clips added late last season.” The CMR team hopes to run the whole schedule.

Second year competitor Max Zachem returns with plans to run the full Valenti Modified Racing Series schedule in a newly purchased racecar.

Zachem, an accomplished teenage driver with championships and many victories in both Quarter-Midgets and Legend Car Series events, finished eighth in the VMRS season standings in 2010 as a rookie driver. The new deal will put Zachem in a 2004 Troyer Chassis, purchased from Daryl Lewis in upstate New York. Driver Bobby Gegetskas and Bruce Batcha are providing a Bob Brunneau built motor for Zachem.

"I am very excited to have this opportunity," Zachem commented. "My team, my family, sponsors and friends have all been behind me for this entire time. It's great that the pieces have come together here all at once. Timing is everything."

New to the series this year will be Timmy Jordan, of Plainfield, CT, an accomplished racer with two Late Model championships at Waterford Speedbowl.

Jordan, a high school teacher by trade, has been winning races since 2002, and will debut at his home track in April.

Also joining the VMRS ranks this year will be Tommy Barrett Jr, runner-up in the Stafford Springs, CT, SK light modified division. Barrett Jr, of Millis, MA, had 10 wins in 20 starts last season as a rookie.

VMRS Notes:

VMRS welcomes Greg Whitcomb, of Keene, NH., to the series staff. Whitcomb will be involved in the series marketing/sponsorship program.

Racing Electronics returns as the official source of communications equipment for series officials.