Canadian Funny Cars Invade!

Racing at NHRA’s California Hot Rod Reunion event at Bakersfield included a serious invasion of Funny Car machinery from North of the 49th along with Canadian drivers.  Here is an excellent photo summary of some of the participants provided by super skilled DragRaceCanada contributing photographer Marc Gewertz….

Tim Nemeth from Chilliwack BC qualified #1 in Nitro Funny Car with 5.693 secs at 253.42 mph.

Tim Nemeth from Chilliwack BC qualified #1 in Nitro Funny Car with 5.693 secs at 253.42 mph.

Troy Sitko was a popular fan favourite at Bakersfield racing Harold Parfett's totally unique '37 Chevy from Edmonton.

Troy Sitko was a popular fan favourite at Bakersfield racing Harold Parfett’s totally unique Team Ace ’37 Chevy from Edmonton..

Edmonton's Joey Steckler brought his show-stopping '69 Corvette down from Alberta and qualified #11 in the 7.0 secs index category.

Edmonton’s Joey Steckler brought his show-stopping ’69 Corvette down from Alberta and qualified #11 in the 7.0 secs index category..

Canadian born and raised racer Todd Paton drove this Camaro owned by Bob & Steve McIntre at Bakersfield. Todd qualified #16 before upsetting Tim Nemeth in round #1!

Canadian born and raised racer Todd Paton drove this Camaro owned by Bob & Steve McIntre at Bakersfield.
Todd qualified #16 before upsetting Tim Nemeth in round #1!

Jim Fersch (Drayton Valley AB) entered his ultra cool '71 Barracuda in the event's 7.0 category.

Jim Fersch (Drayton Valley AB) entered his ultra cool ’71 Barracuda “The Bulldogger” in the event’s 7.0 category..

Tim Boychuk - who won at Bakersfield last March - was a surprising DNQ at the CHRR event.

Tim Boychuk – who won at Bakersfield last March – was a surprising DNQ at the CHRR event..

Alberta's Norm Kolwich entered his '53 Corvette bodied FC for the first time at Bakersfield.

Alberta’s Norm Kolwich entered his ’53 Corvette bodied FC for the first time at Bakersfield..

Cal Tebb was the top finishing Canadian FC overall -- wheeling his GTO to the semi final round in the 7.0 "B" event.

Cal Tebb was the top finishing Canadian FC overall — wheeling his GTO to the semi final round in the 7.0 “B” event.

Shane Reykdal's '79 Omni from Edmonton was also entered in the event's massive 7.0 secs index category.

Shane Reykdal’s ’79 Omni from Edmonton was also entered in the event’s massive 7.0 secs index category.

Photos by:  Marc Gewertz