![\"NFFC-WC\"](\"https:\/\/nitrofccanada.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NFFC-WC.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>(For the 3X in team history – the potent Canadian based Hodgson-Papirnick race team has earned victory lane at Bakersfield’s Auto Club Famoso Raceway)<\/p><\/div>\n
After qualifying fifth (@ 5.662 secs) for the 16-car field that attracted 27 entries overall, Ryan first rolled through three consecutive round wins to advance to the championship final round. That included decisions over opponents Danny Gerber, Dan Horan and the event\u2019s low qualifier, Mike McIntire. Ryan\u2019s 2nd round decision over Horan was historical \u2013 being the quickest side-by-side match in class history \u2013 a decision which he won with a holeshot at 5.678 to 5.672 secs.<\/p>\n
Those round successes earned him a final round date with Pacific Northwest powerhouse Kris Krabill, who was an obvious pre-event favourite. Kris (who is from Washington state) is the defending NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series Funny Car champion and also is who Ryan finished 2nd to in final points last season.
\nBut that final round confrontation \u2014 which was in fact deferred until Monday afternoon because of rain storms on Sunday \u2014 proved to be more exciting then most anyone expected.<\/p>\n
After a pretty even start \u2013 Ryan did earn the victory recording a winning 5.609 secs at 259.91 mph \u2013 but it was Krabill who grabbed the attention when his all new Austin & O\u2019Brien Chevy Camaro erupted into flames at about the 900 foot mark. Krabill rode out that very intense and long burning fire \u2013 but thankfully ultimately escaped injury following some fast arrival of track safety personale.<\/p>\n
Immediately following his win light coming on \u2013 and despite all the adrenaline from that \u2013 Ryan\u2019s first concern was for his fellow racer in the other lane.
\n\u201cI knew the car was running well because it felt real good during burn out,\u201d said Ryan. \u201cI also knew I had to make zero mistakes racing Krabill. We left the line and I never saw him. Then I pulled the chutes and he still never showed up. I instantly was concerned so I got my car stopped as quick as I could and jumped out. I saw he was on fire so I started running to his car as fast as I could. I was wearing my suit and wanted to waste no time to try to help him. But the fire truck did beat me to him and when I finally got there he was out of the car and OK \u2013 and that was a big relief. Wow \u2013 what a finish!\u201d<\/p>\n
Following some cool down time \u2013 Ryan was able to then reflect on his team\u2019s event accomplishment.<\/p>\n
<\/a>(Driver Ryan Hodgson)<\/p><\/div>\n
\u201cAfter a while it began to sink in that we had just won March Meet!, \u201c he continued. \u201cOur car ran great every pass and I really never saw a car in the other lane all weekend \u2014 to me it was almost like I was just doing single passes. \u00a0I may very well have the best crew on the planet \u2014 thank you Team Pacemaker and thank you God for looking over all of us (and especially Kris).\u201d<\/p>\n
Ryan confirmed too that the win was also a testament and credit to his valued sponsors that support him including: Oceanus Resources Corporation, Ron Hodgson Chevrolet Buick, Yeti Snow MX, NAPA, Castrol Canada and Ace Racing.<\/p>\n
This win was also yet another big feather in the cap for wily Bob Papirnick who is a Canadian racing tuner of legendary stature based from Vancouver. Bob has now guided the Hodgson-Papirnick Racing team to three major Bakersfield event titles; including with driver Tim Boychuk (March Meet 2013) and also in 2015 when Ryan won the California Hot Rod Reunion event \u2013 as a rookie driver.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s pretty incredible for Ryan to win two of the most prestigious races for Nostalgia FC \u2013 already,\u201d said Bob. \u201cAt this race we had a hard running and consistent car the entire weekend. Our talented crew worked extremely hard \u2014 and I am happy for them to be rewarded with this big win.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/a>(Defending NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series Champion Kris Krabill severely damaged his all new Camaro in the FC final round)<\/p><\/div>\n