Quebec’s Daniel Mercier truly does have a “nitro racing trifecta” after taking ownership of a Nitro Nostalgia Funny Car.

Following a very recent acquisition of a fuel burning 1970 Camaro-bodied car, Mercier now owns and operates three (!) active nitro cars — including his NHRA series Top Fuel dragster and injected nitro dragster.

Mercier, who resides in southern Montreal suburb LaPraire, is now the owner of a car that was formally raced by California’s Marc Meadors (the CEO of long time drag racing proponents Goodguys Rod & Custom).

“We took delivery in Quebec in May,” Daniel confirmed. “This purchase is a result of the COVID pandemic. Because it is now difficult to get out of the country to go and race — our objective was to have something we can race within Canada. Our target will be match races in Quebec and Ontario — and then eventually also into the USA in the future when things do open up again.”

So far he has taken the wheel of the Camaro Funny Car for four test runs hitting a best time of 4.11 secs to the 1/8th mile mark during laps at Napierville Dragway. “It’s very loud in there!” he exclaimed.

“Since the purchase the car has been completely rebuilt including updated performance (a AJPE 456 CID engine) and safety technologies,” he added.

Daniel revealed too that he will  soon have a new designated team driver for the Funny Car. He is tasking that to his good friend and current Mercier Racing Team car chief Benoit Duquette (St. Eustache PQ).  Benoit will take over that position in the Camaro cockpit after he completes his licensing process.

(Benoit Duquette will soon license to become Canada’s newest Funny Car driver.)

Mercier also confirmed that his crew chief for the Funny Car will be a reunion with Serge Blanchette who he had a strong past association with. Serge was his crew chief during his earlier TAD class racing days, including 2006 when Mercier’s team prevailed to win the NHRA’s Northeast Division 1 Points championship.

(Daniel Mercier)

“We think we can be a very fast car — our performance objectives are 3.8 secs (1/8th) and 5.7 secs (1/4 mile),” he said confidently.  “And as a team owner — I am now very satisfied owning all 4-wheel cars that use nitromethane.”

The Mercier Racing Inc’s Funny Car official team name will be appropriately rather scientific — called: “Fuelled by C4H13NO3”.

Posted by Bruce Biegler

Photos courtesy of Mercier Racing and Telly Goumas and by Bruce Biegler