Final Test-N-Tune of the 2018 Season at Pacific Raceways

20 Oct 2018 Kent, WA – The end of the season for the dragstrip at Pacific Raceways is a test and tune/gambler race, and as always weather permitting. This day started at daylight with 100% humidity and visibility less than 1/8th mile and the sun no where in sight until the fog lifts.

The previous few days this was the pattern between 9 and 10 am then the fog was gone and things warmed up nicely to the 60’s. This day however “Mother Nature” had other plans for the 175 plus racers and the area around the dragstrip, though just a few hundred feet in elevation it is sunny and warm while here it is, see your breath chilly and you can see barely a mile.

Track temps now in the 60’s with “street” tires only running the track and little by little warming the surface as the sun is now peeking thru the fog aiding in the process to prep the track for cars with the “slick” tires to make runs.

With the sun out nicely and everyone having made a run, it was time for the “Gambler”. The race is one run only and the “best package” takes the cash.

Two “winners” emerge, electronic and non-electronic, each earning a “GIFT” package of Bardahl products provided by sales representative Renea Berger who shared the winners circle with the electronics winner Mary Burckhard and drag strip manager Ed Garfield.

Taking home all the way to Mission, BC in the non-electronics class is Chris Stone in his ’68 Dart laying down a 0.040 package. Congratulations to both winners and see you sometime mid-March for the next TnT.

Images are now available – click here to go to the photo album.

West Coast Grudge Season Ends With A Bonus

13 Oct 2018 Kent, WA – The West Coast Grudge Series ended their 2018 season with a bonus day of racing. The last date was added after the last race was rained out and it turned out to be a great move for the racers and spectators alike.

Pairing up with a test and tune date already on the docket brought over 200 entries eager to hit the instant green and 1/8th mile distance, and many hit speeds over 150 mph.

A huge thing for the series is the spectators that come out and watch these wicked machines do battle – the stands filled with more people than all the previous dates put together, it was great to see that and I am sure that the great weather that “Mother Nature” provided helped.

To all those involved in bringing this series to the northwest, Congrats to all your hard earned efforts and a job well done. From an idea born from Mike Bader and Dave Stolz and grabbed by the horns, Willy Peterson and his gang have built a series that will continue to evolve as the years go by.

We will see more and more bad fast cars and trucks to the Northwest and “Instant Green” racing.

Over 500 great images of these amazing cars are now available – click here to go to the photo album.  As always thank you for your support and purchases!!

WINNERS
Mike Thielen in Outlaw 10.5
Daniel Rodrique in Skinny
Dan Hermann in Stick
Eric McLaughlin in 6.50
Kenny O,Keefe in 7.50
Brad Craig in the 8.50 class

Test-N-Tune & Gambler at Pacific Raceways

07 Oct 2018 Kent, WA – October racing in the northwest or as some say the “Northwet” is always a gamble. Todays ability to go on the smart phone and see what the weather is doing and forecasted to do just about to the second can be a blessing or a curse.

Adding to that the direction from which the weather is coming can by just a scant mile be totally different. This became the factor in in which the date became a “rainout” as Pacific Raceway was just inside the border of rain/no-rain and just enough came down to make it un-safe and irritate everyone.

Here are the images from today’s rain-shortened day – click here to go to the photo album.

The weather though looks good for the Oct. 13th date and the 20th is too far away and this is drag racing in the “Northwest” at its best.

National Dragster Challenge & King of The Track at Bremerton Raceway

06 Oct 2018 Bremerton,  WA – Rolling on to the raceway property with the sun out bright after a day long down pour the day before is always a great sight for the eyes.

This race weekend is loaded with “lasts”. The last race to earn points in the E.T. series towards track championships and to qualify for the “King of the Track” also it is the last race weekend for Bremerton Raceway season and the last weekend for Gordon and Barb Howell overseeing the operations of the racetrack and in this position changing the schedule for the KOT from the next day to this day because of the impending weather for that day.

Smart move as the next day became a “rainout” as far as racing but the big winner this day was Russell Lopeman who heard his name announced for the trailer giveaway presented by Freeway Trailers and Bremerton Raceway.

Challenge winners and KOT are Jeremy Sears in Super Pro, Mike Evans in Motorcycle, Brian McGinnis in Pro, Brian Thompson in Sportsman, Dawsin Ridge in Jr. Thunder, Charlie Burkevics in Jr. Lightning, Dustin Ridge in 2nd Chance Lightning and Congrats to Thomas Vickers in winning “King of the Track”.

All in all a great way to end the season at Bremerton Raceway and I have to add a huge “THANKS” to Gordon and Barb over the years for the help covering your work and enjoy your time away from the track.

Lots of great images are now available – click here to go to the photo album.

33rd Annual Bi-Mart Fall Classic at Woodburn

23 Sept 2018 Woodburn, OR – The last big event at Woodburn Dragstrip is now in its 33rd year and the draw to racers and spectators alike was huge! With each day being its own race day, the amount of classes (25 over the two days) brings a wide range of race cars and trucks to the famous dragstrip. Adding to the mix the Outlaw 8.5 and 10.5 bring their high-powered cars to the track for some 1/8th mile racing.

BB/Funny Cars, Pro Nostalgia and a pair of jet funny cars put on a show for the spectators along with a race among themselves to get a winner.

With the entries for both days racing ran into the darkness turning on the newly finished light pole behind the burnout box. This is a race weekend you need to mark on your date book for next year as it is a great show of race cars and horsepower.

Tons of images from all 3 three days are now available – click here to go to the photo albums.

SATURDAY WINNERS

Danny Wargnier in Top Gas
Jarod Anderson in Hot Rod
Brian Horn in Street Machine
Jimmy Heriford in Street Rod
Paul Carbaugh in Stick Shift
Ron McBee in Gasser
Dave Mueller in Inline/Flathead
Steve Cooper in Run Tuff
Don DePeel in ET Motorcycle
Bob Osborne in Harley
Ty Anderson in Super Comp
Gary Erickson in Super Street
James Boyce in Stock/Super Stock
Ryan Bese in Jr. Lightning
Logan Scrivner in Jr. Thunder.

SUNDAY WINNERS

Greg Howland in BB/Funny Car
Marc Pruett in Pro Nostalgia
Paja Agotonovic in Outlaw 10.5
Michael Dunks Jr. in Outlaw 8.5
Tony Arthur in Super Comp
Jess Dale in Super Street
Dave Barcelon in Stock/Super Stock
Don Burgoyne in Dragster/Roadster
Donny Richards in Super Pro
Chris Stone in Pro
Jimmy Heriford in Sportsman
Terry Holloway in ET Motorcycle
Jeff Lilly in Pro Mod
Gene Hegle in Quick 8
Austin Varner in Jr. Lightning
Lindsey Miller in Jr. Thunder
Terry Holloway is King of the Track.

Congrats to all the winners at this years Fall Classic. Also need to thank Dave and Jack for the jump to get my dead battery going and to Jay Bird good luck on your new adventure to the east of the Mississippi river.

5th Annual Cornwell Tools GM Nationals

15 Sept 2018 Kent, WA – September racing in the northwest can be anywhere from a sunny and 80-degree day or 50 degrees and rain or anything in-between. Last year it was high overcast skies and a completed race – this year though “Mother Nature and Murphy” had other plans.

The driver’s meeting finished and it was off to time trials for the four classes set for this event. Nearing a dozen passes into time trials the drops on the windshields began, not a downpour, not even really rain but just enough to make a prepped track un-raceable.

To all just enough to irritate those using the dragstrip and car show entries grabbing their shammies to get rid of it. Such is the waiting game with “Mother Nature”.
With a break in the rain and the track dry though it is now only 1/8th mi. race due to safety then that partner to “Mother Nature” reared its ugly head on the first pair down the track with the left lane dropping rear end parts on the starting line. It was a mad scramble to clean the mess and get back to time trials as the window of no rain was closing in on the area.

A great job by the track crew in dealing with the “Murphy’s Law” portion of the day in the cleanup but to no avail as the rain returned and ruined all the good work to get back to racing to all but the Cornwell Tools trucks as three pair took a trip down the track and had to be a highlight for the drivers.

Let’s hope the weather next year is on the better side and the cohorts that invaded the event stay away.

Images are now available – click here to go to the photo album.

2018 ET Finals Was Epic!

02 Sept 2018 Boise, ID – As the rotation goes around between the four host tracks for the Northwest E.T. Finals all headed to Firebird Raceway this year. Close to 500 entries packed onto the grounds, divided up into 14 team pits.

With the Managers Cup, the Race of Champions and the Team championship up for grabs with the winners of the Race of Champions going to Pomona as the Division 6 players for a 7-Division battle for number one in their class.

The weekend got tarted on Thursday with a test and tune for all that needed to adjust to the conditions that is Firebird Raceway. On to Friday and the Gambler race for all those that wish to enter and the runs were also your qualifying hit as those not in get a hit also. The more that enter the bigger the payout and any help with costs to a racer can be helped greatly with a win.

Those that pocketed the cash:

Kurt Gross in Super Pro
Brian McGinnis in Pro
Shannon O’Leary in Sportsman
Riley Toth in Bike/Sled
Kyle Wagenaar in Jr. Lightning
Logan Scrivner in Jr. Thunder
Cooper Chun in Jr. Street.

On to Saturday and it was the Track Managers Challenge and the Race of Champions. A race within a race as all members of the team’s race with the winner added to the team total and as the track champions do battle for the Race of Champions portion also adding to the team total.

With two classes requiring seven rounds to get a winner that’s a lot of racing. Round after round and into darkness it took to go thru the eight classes of racers. The four classes of winners in the ROC that will represent Division Six in Pomona are Pat Osmundson in Super Pro, Matt Lielman in Pro, Devin Fround in Sportsman and Scott Grondahl in Sled/Bike.

The four ROC winners not yet included in the trip to Pomona are Damien Chinn in High School, Kyle Wagenaar in Jr. Lightning, Lindsey Miller in Jr. Thunder and Calli Deming in Jr. Street.

In the Track Managers Challenge of the fourteen tracks that entered the E.T. Finals the big winner this year was Woodburn Dragstrip with 49 points to claim bragging rights for another year and those eight class racers that are now on a huge “high” for what they just accomplished.

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday as they say is here with the “Team” Championship up for grabs. With a round win number that will take a long time to better Woodburn Dragstrip “Team Pacific” and it’s 55 racers were ready to attempt a re-peat. Food and liquids provided by “Pirates Loot” over the weekend kept all going into Sunday with a last breakfast before racing. Team photo finished, the members scattered to the pit area to get ready to do battle. Early on the round wins were tough to come by and no record this year and the place in the standings fell.

This fact was also true for a number of tracks, as a many time winner for this series came up with a big win and that team is Portland Int’l Raceway with 86 points.

The class winners in this race

Brad Pattan in Super Pro
Steve Kelly in Pro
Gary Howe Jr. in Sportsman
Mark Canty in Bike/Sled
Kyle Wagenaar in Jr. Lightning
Ryan Bese in Jr. Thunder
Cooper Chun in Jr. Street.

On a special note for a three-day weekend of racing with three separate races to win a racer can only dream of winning all three. Well a young man named Kyle Wagenaar had his dreams come true by “sweeping” the three races, a rare feat indeed done by anyone but to do it in the Jr. Lightning class says a lot about this, young racers future.

Images from the entire weekend, broken out in Albums by day, are now available – click here to go to the photo albums.

Till next time “Congratulations” to all the winners and “Good Luck” to those going to Pomona.

Import Face Off at Pacific Raceways

26 Aug 2018 Kent, WA – Twice a season the Import Face Off brings in all kinds of imports for a car show, drag race and much more all around the car show area at Pacific Raceways.

Coming from Canada, Oregon and Washington, fans filled the upper parking area with show cars aplenty and packing in around the “bowl” with drag racers, this popularity shows with the number of people watching in the stands.

Front wheel drive, rear wheel drive and all-wheel drive drivers put their cars down the track testing themselves and their builds, some having best ever runs and others more work is needed.

Coming out on top in race number two was Dmitriy Geraoinov in Bracket, Joe Moore in All Motor Sport,Scott Coman in Forced Induction Sport, Razvan Dejan in Forced
Induction Pro, Joe Moore in All Motor Pro and Sam Jason in Front Wheel Drive.

Image are now available – click here to go to the photo album.

Dave Barcelon’s Truck Town Super Saturday

25 Aug 2018 Kent, WA – Unlike the first two Saturday races, this the last of the season became a battle of “wills”, Ed Garfield and his drag crew (vs) “Mother Nature”. Yes, this was an all-day event with the cutoff at 11:00pm.

Traveling from both ends of the track the spattering of drops would bring action to a halt. Do not know the time it takes to go thru the run order, but the weather seemed to stop each time the Jr.’s turn came up, bringing out the bumper-shoots or flat out scurry to their pits seeking cover.

Each one of these “raindrops” had the track start over with track drying and prep. The extra time works against the curfew which works against the run order. Time became a factor as the race needed to finish to determine who will race for the “King of the Track” and points were close and win or lose added into the mix of possibilities.

After moving the run order around and getting the finals finished in each class as fast as the racers could “cool” down, did push the King of the Track final right to the witching hour and showed “Mother Nature”- “WE Will Win” this fight.

Tons of great images are now online – click here to go the photo album.

CLASS WINNERS

David Wakefield in Super Pro
Kenny O’Keefe in Pro
Larry DeCamp in Sportsman
William Nitta in Motorcycle
Ian Theofelis in Jr. Lightning
Dustin Ridge in Jr. Thunder
Trystan Marchel in Jr. Storm
Chase Gorder in High School
Troy Olsonanski in Stock
Dale Green in Super Comp
Jeff Jackson Jr. in Super Gas
Todd Sims in Super Street
Kevin Rennick in Top Comp
“King of the Track” Brian McGinnis. – CONGRATS!!

Car Club & Jr Dragsters #11 at Pacific Raceways

24 Aug 2018 Kent, WA – As the Car Club Events hit the track this season its car count has grown, and the series has evolved into a fine race between the car makers. My Chevy is faster than your Dodge and that Ford, you know those words or something like that goes on in the pits.

The friendship between all these racers is on display with laughter and aiding those in need when necessary.

The same can be said of the Jr.’s when they are together though the topics are as you can expect quite different though their hearing brings them to the lanes on one call over the P.A.

One more race to their season to bring them to an even dozen for their season.

Images from Event #11 are now available – click here to go to the photo album.

Picking up the hardware this race date are as follows –

Scott Christensen in Car Club
Selena Lenihan in Jr. Lightning
Anastazji Gossette in Jr. thunder
Abigial Cole in Jr. Storm
Trenton Smith in Jr. Street.