“Techno Todd” to Wheel Nostalgia FC

One of Canada’s very favorite drag racing sons will be completing a Funny Car trifecta of sorts during next weekend’s infamous NHRA March Meet in Bakersfield California….

 Todd Paton has revealed an agreement that will see him take the controls of the 1969 Chevy Camaro Nostalgia Funny Car owned by Bob & Steve McIntire.   Todd will drive that car at Bakersfield and then make a few other limited appearances driving during 2013.

For Paton, who has vast experience driving both Alcohol and Nitro Funny Cars within NHRA, it will be his first stint ever driving a Nostalgia-bodied machine.

“It’s been almost 10 years since I’ve sat in a Funny Car,” revealed Paton who won national events in both NHRA and IHRA during his alcohol FC racing career.  “Bob and Steve are great guys from Northern California that are from a racing family that campaigned mostly drag boats.  They recently put together this new Nostalgia Funny Car.  We had a conversation about their existing Racepak Pro 1 data logger on the car and during the course of the conversation they asked if I would be interested in driving the car. Of course I jumped at the opportunity.”

Todd affirmed that he is truly looking forward to the opportunity which is something he has dreamt about since a very early age.

“Way back when – when I was growing up in Nova Scotia — I always read about the great racing at Bakersfield,” Todd confided.  “Then when I moved to California I got to experience the March Meet and Hot Rod Reunion events there firsthand which was fascinating.  Now to be able to have a chance to actually race a Nostalgia FC at that famous track – is just amazing.”

Todd reports that the Camaro car which is a tribute machine to the late legend Joe Pisano was driven last year on a very limited basis by Kebin Kinsely.  The car does have a mild tune-up in it but he feels it is capable of running in the high five seconds zone.

Todd Paton with Bob & Steve McIntire

“This team is still in transition from drag boats to asphalt,” Todd added.  “At Bakersfield we will not be running the car too hard.  2013 will be more about going out there and gaining experience and having some fun.”

Todd also confirmed some plans to race his Top Fuel dragster which he co-owns with his father Barry in 2013.   He will drive in Top Fuel at Martin Michigan in May and hopes to also run a couple of NHRA Mello Yello events later in the season. 

And we would be remiss if we did not also acknowledge and congratulate Todd on his recent promotion with the RacePak Company.  As of March, in additional to his ongoing technical duties, Todd will now also oversee that company’s sales department.  Todd’s new title at RacePak is Pro Systems & Sales Manager.

Visit RacePak at: www.RacePak.com

Posted by:  Bruce Biegler