A Near Miss for “Noaksie” in NHRA Big Tent! 

London’s Paul Noakes enjoyed his finest hour yet in NHRA national event competition when he placed runner-up in TAFC during today’s conclusion to the rain-delayed Auto Plus Nationals in Pennsylvania…. 

Paul had a heart-wrenching final round loss to class superstar Frank Manzo — who by winning the event claimed his truly amazing 100th NHRA national event title (Wow!….)  

Paul gave it everything he could have in the final.  In fact he served up a brilliant .005 RT and ran a career best 5.611 secs at 256.65 mph – only to have that fall short of Manzo’s rampaging 5.508 secs at 263.20 mph (top speed of the event). 

Paul’s terrific weekend came after he qualified the Meritor/Euclid-sponsored Ford Mustang #11 for the 16-car field and then won rounds over Dan Pomponio, Paul Gill and Todd Veney.  

Paul Noakes came very close to winning his 1st NHRA national event title today at Maple Grove Raceway in PA….

The Reading event results reinforces to everyone that Noakes highly talented all Canadian team which includes crew chief Les Mellows, does have the credentials to compete at the world’s highest level of TAFC class racing.  

Photo and posting by Bruce Biegler