Canada’s Paton Racing Team spotlighted from Western New York state…
The now impressively rebuilt and fully refurbished Empire Dragway (Leicester NY) hosted it’s Mid-Summer Mayhem last weekend – an event which featured a variety of nitro-powered dragsters and funny cars.
Ontario’s 2-car Paton Racing racing team were front and centre within that event mix. With Fast Eddie Speed Wear livery prominent on both cars — it was drivers Todd Paton and Spencer Hyde making a couple of laps, head-to-head. For Spencer (from Stratford ON) — who was only recently licensed for Top Fuel racing – it marked his first time ever in side-by-side competition.
The Paton Racing team’s venture here was very successful/impressive as they put on a great show for the fans. But what was a bit of an eyebrow raiser, it was Spencer who won both dashes and in fact reset both ends of the the Empire Dragway track record to 3.229 secs and 264.55 mph (1/8th mile). Needless to say a very positive first impression racing in the category indeed.
Todd Paton’s best time was 3.317 secs at 261.02 secs (1/8th mile).
“Overall I think the event went really well,” said Spencer Hyde. “The Paton Team did an amazing job and both runs were good side-by-side races. The Empire Dragway crew also did an awesome job on the racing surface.”
“This event was another big step for me as I had only made 3 licence runs in the car before this. It really does add a whole other element into it when you have someone in the other lane — and I’m glad it was Todd. The second run was also the first time I’d run in a Fuel car at night and let me tell you — that was pretty cool! When you take your foot off the loud pedal — it was like someone had turned the light switch off!”
For Todd Paton the 2023 edition Mid-Summer Mayhem event marked a return to the facility which was formally known as New York International Raceway – back when he was campaigning so successfully IHRA Alcohol Funny Cars.
“That was my first time back to Empire Dragway in 28 years!,” he confirmed. “We had run several times there between 1993-95 in AFC. I had a great time coming back again and seeing all the improvements that had been made to the facility.”
“Spencer did a great job driving a fuel car with someone in the other lane for the first time,” Todd added. “He has driven a wide variety of race cars, and did well when he licensed earlier this year – so I knew he wouldn’t have any issues.”
“For me – it was another opportunity to get behind the wheel and experience the thrill of driving these cars. It’s always fun when I get the chance to jump in and hit the gas. I don’t get to do it as often as I’d like anymore. I now spend much of my time working on them through my business (PDS) and quite often when we do race our car at an NHRA event, we have someone else in the seat.”
“At Empire our team did a great job working on both cars – including turning them around quickly. Running two cars at the same event really does require a talented team that is coordinated and who work well with one another. I’m very proud of the work that they do.”
Paton Racing are now in prep mode to do this all again soon – but this time back in Canada. They will be a featured part at their home track Grand Bend Motorplex – for the WDRA Canadian Nationals (August 4-6).
The plan for that event is to run the cars to 1000 feet and try to put some 300 mph marks up on the boards for the fans.
“I’m looking forward to running Spencer again at Grand Bend — I hope I have a chance to even the score there.” Todd winked.
Posted by Bruce Biegler
Photos by Steve Embling