TRUE IRONMAN:


Despite being only 13, Strathroy teen Ryan Paquette has made a name for himself as a junior dragster at the Grand Bend Motorplex.

After seeing his cousin Chris Lozon behind the wheel of a dragster, Ryan asked his dad if he could compete. He was 10 years old at the time.

Three years after starting, Ryan won the 8 to 12 year old junior dragster championship.

Ryan won three races and was runner-up five times this past season in 17 races. He accumulated 39 points. The next closest competitor had 31 points.

He also won the Junior Dragster Eliminator Championship in September. Ryan represented Grand Bend at the IHRA (International Hot Rod Association) Division 3 Team Finals in Pittsburgh.

There were 65 junior drivers from New York, West Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Ontario.

For his win, Ryan received a $500 US Savings Bond, a silver card that allows him free access to any IHRA points race in 2009, and an Ironman; the highest trophy awarded in IHRA drag racing.

The Junior Dragster Series program is designed to allow youth, from ages 8-17, the opportunity to race at Grand Bend, as a legitimate part of the overall racing program.

Competitors may run as fast as 7.90 seconds in the one-eighth mile with a maximum speed of 85 mph. The race is primarily for half-scale dragsters.

According to Ryan, he was hooked on drag racing the moment he got behind the wheel.

“It is exciting to race, win or lose,” said Ryan, with a wide grin.


As a Grade 8 student at Our Lady Immaculate School, Ryan also plays baseball and hockey, but his true passion these days is drag racing. Ryan is the son of Chris and Melina Paquette.

“You go so fast, so quick, it is really fun,” said Ryan.

(Complete story and photo at Strathroy Age Dispatch)