Very big news out of Western Canada has the all new Alberta-based Troy Lee Designs Camaro Nitro Funny Car on the verge of it’s debut….
The dynamic new Nitro Funny Car project, which features the melding of minds and finance of long time and influencial drag racing proponents, Ron Hodgson, Harold Parfett and Bob Papirnick, is about to hit the drag strip.
The team has just taken final delivery of and will debut soon a truly creative and cutting edge 1969 Camaro-bodied fuel burner built by Victory Race Cars in California. Racing fans will be able to witness the official competition debut of this car which is co-sponsored by Castrol, Ron Hodgson Chevrolet-Buick-GMC and Ace Manufacturing, during the upcoming IHRA Mopar Rocky Mountain Nationals at Edmonton’s Castrol Raceway (July 17-19th).
Ron Hodgson, Ryan Hodgson, Bob Papirnick and Harold Parfett have combined to give drag racing fans something very special!!
Ron Hodgson’s son Ryan, a recent graduate of 6.99 index Nostalgia Funny Car racing scene, will be at the helm. Expectations are that Ryan will upgrade his racing licence in the coming days prior to entering the car for the IHRA’s marquee annual event race for Western Canada.
The Camaro, which in fact combines for the first time a Victory Race Cars Funny Car chassis with a prototype Victory Race Cars designed carbon fibre body, will also mark a welcome return to drag racing and to the Hodgson racing team for Troy Lee Designs based from California. Thus the car features yet another truly stunning and signature paint scheme from that creative company.
Using a 125″ wheelbase and a powerful 457 CID Alan Johnson Racing TFX motor – the car is built 100% to class standards for both the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage and IHRA Nitro Funny Car circuits. Wily Bob Papirnick, who has been deeply involved in Western Canadian Funny Car drag racing since 1971, will make all the tuning decisions for the car which has 260 MPH potential.
“What I really like about the car is how much it looks like a real 1969 Camaro,” Bob said. “We’re so pleased with this finished product from Victory Race Cars. And with Troy Lee Designs back with team we are all looking to appeal to that very important younger generation demographic as well as traditional Funny Car racing fans.”
The potential ridden team has also received highly valued associate sponsorship from Milron Metal Fabricators, HB Construction, Champion Spark Plugs, Seal Power, Aeromotive Fuel Pumps and DJ Safety.
After the IHRA race at Edmonton, some additional 2015 event appearances are on the radar including Mission Raceway in BC, Boise Idaho and Bakersfield’s California Hot Rod Reunion race in October.
More information on sponsor Troy Lee Designs can be found at: www.TroyLeeDesigns.com
Post by: Bruce Biegler
Photos by: Darr Hawthorne & Bruce Biegler
