Ryan Hodgson and the Edmonton-based Hodgson/Papirnick Pacemaker Nitro Nostalgia Funny Car team earned their second major event win of the season last weekend.

While racing in the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series portion for the Napa Ignitor Opener event held at Boise Idaho (which was also a NHRA Lucas Oil Northwest Divisional race) — Hodgson scored driving the Bob Papirnick-tuned ’69 Chevy Camaro.

This victory came only 3 weeks following a big win for the team at Tuscon Dragway’s Good Vibration’s presented UNFC Championship Series season opening event (April 13th)

As fate would have it, Ryan did earn a easy final round decision when his scheduled opponent Kris Krabill could not make repairs to his car which suffered a violent engine explosion and body-pitching incident during his semi-final round win.

Hodgson clicked the car off in the final — but that came after round wins over Marc Meadors and Dan Horan Jr., in earlier competition — which included Ryan setting low ET of the event at 5.677 secs (in round #1).

While winning – the Hodgson/Papirnick Team was also credited with low ET of the event – at 5.677 secs

For the dynamic Canadian racing team which is overseen by Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame member Ron Hodgson, and which features innovate backing from, Castrol Canada, Ace Manufacturing and Oceanus Resources — this Boise win did have some special meaning too.

“Winning here is something I’ve always wanted to do,” said Ryan Hodgson.  “Over the years Bob had tuned Terry Capp and Tim Boychuk cars to the winners circle at this very track.  But most of all — I can now say that Gordie Bonin and myself have both won the race racing “Pacemaker” cars.”

“It (Boise) is one of the best race tracks to race at  – period,” he added.  “It’s a good surface, clean facility and there is outstanding hospitality from the New family and their staff.  But my hats off to Bob, Bevan and the whole team on another consistent fast weekend.”

Ryan Hodgson and his team celebrate putting the “Pacemaker” Funny Car name into Firebird Raceway’s historical annuals — for the second time.

The FC class racing at Boise was an impressive affair for sure with 13 machines entered for the 8-car field.

Fellow Canadian (transplanted Toronto-ian) Jeff Arend led qualifying with a 5.683 secs racing the Pontiac Firebird owned by California’s Don Hudson to edge out Ryan’s #2 qualifier — 5.705 secs.  

The event also included a strong effort from yet another Canadian — Edmonton’s Tim Boychuk who cracked the tough field (5.867 secs bump) with a 5.809 run to qualify #6.  Tim’s popular “Happy Hour” Camaro however lost a close round one match to Dan Horan Jr.

Posted by Bruce Biegler 

Photos courtesy of NHRA Division Six