The very much anticipated public debut of the all new Western Canadian-based Troy Lee Designs Funny Car has looked and felt very business like so far.

The revolutionary new car, a 1969 Victory Race Cars built Camaro, which is the final product of a three way racing consortium between visionaries Ron Hodgson, Harold Parfett and Bob Papirnick has now seen action two weekends in a row.

(Ryan Hodgson, Bob Papirnick, Harold Parfett and Ron Hodgson have delivered something very special for Canadian drag racing!)

With Ron’s son Ryan at the controls, the car first had a most impressive unveiling during the recent IHRA Mopar Rocky Mountain Nationals at Edmonton’s Castrol Raceway. Then last weekend the race car also ran a couple times in qualifying at Mission Raceway before that event was called off due to rain.

At the Edmonton race, Ryan was unable to actually compete in the event’s IHRA FC eliminator, but his highly touted machine was very fast out to the box during mandatory licensing runs. That included consecutive laps of 5.86 secs 254.52 mph and 5.81 secs 253.66 mph which easily completed his FC licensing upgrade. Then at Mission’s NHRA Canadian Open, prior to the rain, the new car hit another very confident looking 5.89 secs at  250.50 mph.

“Coming out all new — everyone on our team had some high aspirations,” said Ryan Hodgson. “The reality was that we all pulled together as a team almost around the clock to get the car ready for Edmonton.”

“On our initial run, there was a little bit of shake, but they boys figured that out quickly. On the first full run we made we in fact set a new Castrol Raceway track mph record (254.52 mph).”

“I’m very pleased as to how things are going so far,” Ryan continued. “I’ve got such a great crew and great coaches who are all helping me with driving tips. I’m so fortunate to be able to tap into the vast experience from all the quality people that surround me — names like Bob Papirnick, Terry Capp and of course my Dad.”

The impressive car which features a truly stunning scheme and support from California-based Troy Lee Designs features primary co-sponsorship from Castrol Canada, Ron Hodgson Chevrolet-Buick-GMC and Ace Manufacturing.

“Without those sponsors – this all wouldn’t be happening,” Ryan affirmed.

(Out of the gate at Castrol Raceway!)

Ryan also cited very important behind the scenes support from his wife Jessica, Jim Basko, Jeff Burback, along with Eric and Devon George who all played critical admin and mechanical roles during the team’s racing kickoff.

Plans are now in the making for additional event appearances during the 2nd half of 2015 — with the primary target being the entry list for the marquee NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion race in Bakersfield – October 23-25th.

(License upgrade complete – with legendary Terry Capp!)

For more information on Troy Lee Designs click: HERE
For more information on Castrol Canada click: HERE
For more information on Ace Manufacturing click: HERE
For more information on Ron Hodgson Chevrolet-Buick-GMC click: HERE

(Ryan & Jessica prepare the chute!)

Post and photos by: Bruce Biegler