NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series driver Cameron Ferré has linked up with Paton Racing and EMPI Inc. — the largest VW aftermarket manufacturer and wholesaler — for the remaining events on the schedule for 2021.

After an 18-month layoff due to the global pandemic, Canada-based Paton Racing and Ferré will debut at this weekend’s NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, followed by the Las Vegas Dodge//SRT NHRA Nationals and the season-ending Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona.

“I’m so excited to get back in a Top Fuel dragster,” said Ferré. “I’ve been waiting to announce this for a long time. It’s so exciting to finally say that I’m back, and it's where I started my Top Fuel career with the Paton Team. Barry, Todd, and the whole team are great people. We’re aligning with the ever-iconic EMPI brand and bringing more enthusiasm to the VW hobby as a whole. Being a SoCal native, the VW car culture runs deep, and I can’t wait to get out there and spread that passion to all the NHRA fans. EMPI prides itself on manufacturing quality, speed, and innovation in the European automotive aftermarket space, which aligns perfectly with what we are looking to accomplish together. Everyone has a VW story, memory or photo, and we want to hear and see them at the track and inspire everyone to scope out the huge product line EMPI offers to get their VW looking tip top!”

“Putting EMPI and the VW hobby in front of automotive enthusiasts is what EMPI strives for,” says Cory Rider, director of Marketing. “EMPI has a deep history dating back to the famed ‘Inch Pincher’ within NHRA, so partnering with Cameron and Paton Racing was an easy decision. Cameron is a great representative for our brand, and we can’t wait to see him flying the EMPI colors at over 300 mph.”

With more than 55 years of racing experience and 18 months of bottled-up nitro set to let loose for the first time together this year, Cameron and the Paton team will be ready when qualifying kicks off this Friday in Bristol.

“My dad, Barry, instilled this whole racing bug pretty deep into our family, and we never let it get away, and I’m perfectly OK with that!” said co-owner of Paton Racing Todd Paton. “We can’t wait to be back with Cam in the seat and see how we stack up with the rest of the championship contenders.”

Another exciting addition to Paton Racing came about during their racing hiatus break when Todd launched the data acquisition company Performance Data Systems that many of today’s top pros use in the pits.

“Getting all of this together takes so many moving parts, and I also would like to thank all the additional supporters that are helping make this dream happen,” said Ferré. “JBS Equipment for one is a company that has supported my racing effort for many years, and I’m honored to have them on board again. They are one of the leading agricultural equipment manufacturers in North America, and I hope we can bring some of their success to Top Fuel. Justin and his team have become family to me, and I hope I can make them proud out there.”

Cameron and team will kick off their three-race campaign this Friday in Bristol, and you can bet that everyone in that pit will be extremely excited to be out there racing!

Ferré and Paton Racing are also supported by: Performance Data Systems, Ultimate Design, Fast Eddie Racewear, Brico Industries, Ferré & Co, and Mcleod Racing.