Pro Debut is Imminent!

After securing his Top Fuel license only recently and then winning his first ever NHRA National event in TAFC shortly there after – London Ontario’s Paul Noakes will take the ultimate step in drag racing this coming weekend at Las Vegas….

Paul is now confirmed to make his official NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Top Fuel class debut when qualifying begins on Friday afternoon for the Toyota Nationals at “The Strip” at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  Noakes who has raced Alcohol Funny Cars for close to 25 years, and who won the NHRA Uni-Select Auto Plus Nationals TAFC title at Maple Grove Raceway on Oct. 6th, will be behind the wheel of the Paton Racing dragster owned by Barry and Todd Paton.

Noakes’ TF debut coagulated quickly due to a lot of hard behind the scenes work and unrelenting dedication.

“I feel truly blessed on how the stars have all lined up once again,” said Noakes. “First came the blessing from my wife Gina to pursue my dream this weekend and then with the help of long time sponsor and good friend Jay Johnston of Harman HVS we put a package together.  My sponsors at Meritor (Marty Hetherington and Walter Sherbourne) made this happen in such short notice and I am very thankful for their efforts. We will have Meritor representation on the car and also company officials there to enjoy an exciting weekend of racing at Las Vegas.”

“I can’t thank Barry Paton enough after he approached me in Reading about this,” Paul continued. “His team’s long time supporter John Hoey of Tim Horton’s is also involved in helping as well.  I’m ecstatic and very fortunate about the opportunity and that Todd and Barry are working together proctoring me. I truly believe Barry has some of the best equipment and crew personnel in place for Top Fuel racing. At Las Vegas my personal goal is to qualify in the top half and win the race while making no mistakes behind the wheel. People will think this is a lofty goal — but I believe there is really only one reason to go racing.”

Noakes will be driving the Paton Racing Dragster which features a chassis acquired from DSR and formally driven by Antron Brown.

Posting & Photo by:  Bruce Biegler