TOTTENHAM, ONTARIO (June 28, 2011) – While Ike Maier has raced at the Cayuga Dragway of Toronto Motorsports Park many times, his appearance during the track’s upcoming Canadian Nitro Nationals will be something different for the fans.
The long-time Pro Modified racer from north of Toronto, Ontario will be driving the Paton Racing Team Top Fuel Dragster, and Maier said he is looking forward to competing at his “home” track.
“This is going to be nice for the fans,” Maier noted. “The crowds will be able to see cars of this caliber up close, and not have to drive a long distance to experience the sensation of a Top Fuel dragster.”
The Canadian Nitro Nationals will be held July 1-3 and feature several Top Fuel and Funny Car entries throughout the long weekend.
Earlier this year Maier acquired his NHRA Top Fuel license in what is considered the ultimate class in the sport of drag racing. Running on nitromethane and producing up to 8000 horsepower, a Top Fueler is capable of speeds in excess of 300 mph in less than four seconds down the drag strip.
In partnership with Paton Racing from Paris, Ontario, Maier has competed several times this year in NHRA national event competition, and has qualified with the best in the sport. He recently returned from the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Norwalk, Ohio, and qualified in the 16-car field. Unfortunately engine problems kept him out of contention after losing in the first round with Brandon Bernstein.
Although Maier has also raced with his Pro Mod at the NHRA events, he will be leaving his 1963 Corvette at home to concentrate on his Top Fuel entry at Cayuga. Crew chief on the team is James “Jimbo” Ermalovich. Sponsorship for the Top Fuel effort is provided by John Hoey of Tim Hortons, Lenron Inc, a New Brunswick transportation company, and Crosbie Industrial from Newfoundland.
The team is headed up by Barry Paton of Paton Racing which has employed Todd Paton behind the wheel of the Top Fueler, as well as Alberta’s Tim Boychuck in both the NHRA and the IHRA.
In the past few years Maier has raced competitively in the Pro Modified class with his 1963 Corvette in the PMRA, the IHRA, and the NHRA, and will compete in selected NHRA national events in both classes for 2011.
Photo Credit: Bruce Biegler – DragRaceCanada.com and Roger Richards / Competition Plus - Drag Racing Magazine
The long-time Pro Modified racer from north of Toronto, Ontario will be driving the Paton Racing Team Top Fuel Dragster, and Maier said he is looking forward to competing at his “home” track.
“This is going to be nice for the fans,” Maier noted. “The crowds will be able to see cars of this caliber up close, and not have to drive a long distance to experience the sensation of a Top Fuel dragster.”
The Canadian Nitro Nationals will be held July 1-3 and feature several Top Fuel and Funny Car entries throughout the long weekend.
Earlier this year Maier acquired his NHRA Top Fuel license in what is considered the ultimate class in the sport of drag racing. Running on nitromethane and producing up to 8000 horsepower, a Top Fueler is capable of speeds in excess of 300 mph in less than four seconds down the drag strip.
In partnership with Paton Racing from Paris, Ontario, Maier has competed several times this year in NHRA national event competition, and has qualified with the best in the sport. He recently returned from the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Norwalk, Ohio, and qualified in the 16-car field. Unfortunately engine problems kept him out of contention after losing in the first round with Brandon Bernstein.
Although Maier has also raced with his Pro Mod at the NHRA events, he will be leaving his 1963 Corvette at home to concentrate on his Top Fuel entry at Cayuga. Crew chief on the team is James “Jimbo” Ermalovich. Sponsorship for the Top Fuel effort is provided by John Hoey of Tim Hortons, Lenron Inc, a New Brunswick transportation company, and Crosbie Industrial from Newfoundland.
The team is headed up by Barry Paton of Paton Racing which has employed Todd Paton behind the wheel of the Top Fueler, as well as Alberta’s Tim Boychuck in both the NHRA and the IHRA.
In the past few years Maier has raced competitively in the Pro Modified class with his 1963 Corvette in the PMRA, the IHRA, and the NHRA, and will compete in selected NHRA national events in both classes for 2011.
Photo Credit: Bruce Biegler – DragRaceCanada.com and Roger Richards / Competition Plus - Drag Racing Magazine
