It is always fun being the center of attention – just ask Alcohol Funny Car driver Paul Noakes.

As a professional race car driver racing in front of his home crowd this weekend, Noakes’ name has been on the tip of everyone’s tongue heading into this race. Appearing on television and radio stations and in dozens of newspapers across the area, Noakes’ showdown with Rob Atchison this weekend has garnered plenty of attention and has race fans thrilled about Saturday night’s showdown.

“I am not sure about being a local celebrity, but we do have a good following of race fans here in Canada. That is why the IHRA comes to Canada,” Noakes said. “There are a lot of fans that fill the stands that will sit through rain storms, snow storms and anything the weather throws at them.

It is always fun being the center of attention – just ask Alcohol Funny Car driver Paul Noakes.

As a professional race car driver racing in front of his home crowd this weekend, Noakes’ name has been on the tip of everyone’s tongue heading into this race. Appearing on television and radio stations and in dozens of newspapers across the area, Noakes’ showdown with Rob Atchison this weekend has garnered plenty of attention and has race fans thrilled about Saturday night’s showdown.

“I am not sure about being a local celebrity, but we do have a good following of race fans here in Canada. That is why the IHRA comes to Canada,” Noakes said. “There are a lot of fans that fill the stands that will sit through rain storms, snow storms and anything the weather throws at them.

“That makes it nice to have a bunch of people who really enjoy what I do.”

Noakes, a London, Ontario native, will be competing in the King of Canada match race against fellow London driver Atchison Saturday night at the Grand Bend Motorplex as the two drivers, who have combined for 47 final round appearances three victories at Grand Bend over the years, try to earn Ontario bragging rights for the next year.

“This is my 22nd year of racing so I have got to know a lot of people by always saying hi and always signing autographs and that is what gives me a little bit of an advantage up here in this really fun match race,” Noakes said. “There are a lot of people that are going to be cheering us on this weekend.” 

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