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.

2015 ET Finals At Firebird Raceway

E.T. Finals 9-5-15b 05903-06 September 2015 Boise, ID – Firebird Raceway is just outside Boise Idaho, and was the setting for this year’s E.T. Finals.  It’s a ten to sixteen hour trip for most of the Pacific Pirates.  Wednesday saw many already there with Thursday and Friday bringing in those that had to get away from work.

E.T. Finals 9-6-15 308Wednesday and Thursday, the weather could not have been better at Firebird Raceway. It was a little cooler than normal but a welcome break from the heat that has been around all summer long in the whole northwest.  Test and tune Wednesday and Thursday was in the past as we rolled into Friday’s Gambler Race the weather was a changing.

The sky thickened and all eyes were on it. Weather checking on all the smart phones were saying the same thing, Get Ready. And come it did as the wind picked up and moved anything that was not tied down and those that were scrambled to keep it from going to Kansas. The wind put a halt to racing as it coated the track surface with sand leaving it looking somewhat like sandpaper.

With just a few rounds left to finish the powers that be could have cleaned the track to continue but the threat of rain when getting that completed put an end to the idea there.  It was great decision on their part as the rain came.

Saturday morning started dry then Mother Nature again threw a wrench into the works soaking everything. The plus side to this was the long and continuous lineup for Firebird’s yummy breakfast, with biscuits and gravy. They are good as I joined the others going through the line.

E.T. Finals 9-3-15 223Once the Race of Champions got started the day went off without a hitch completed with the crowning of the class champs that will represent Division 6 in Pomona. Mighty Joe Lind will take his bike and represent Pacific Raceways as not only the track champ but as the Division 6 champ, Great job Joe!

E.T. Finals 9-5-15 334Sunday’s race weather could not have been better though quite chilly early. Racing today for all attending was for class champions in each of the E.T. classes with points for each win to determine the overall track champs, and once again the group from Woodburn in a tie breaker won, laying claims for 2015.

With the finals going north of the border next year plans to do so start now and will require ID to cross, hope to see you there.

I would like to thank David Atkins of Atkins Rotary for introducing me to Lauretta. Quite a skilled photographer with a sharp eye on nature. Having never photographed drag racing before I offered up a camera for her to shoot what she sees and have fun. Here to spend some quality time with her father most of her shots followed him as is natural. By her own admission “I know nothing but would very much like to learn”. Looking at her shots she is right though there are shots that show her natural ability and just a few pointers will bring those skills that she has already has to the top.

Maybe our paths will cross again to see what she has learned and pass those little pointers along. Thanks Lauretta for your additional pics and a glimpse into your look at a first timer to the drags, could not have been a better choice to get away from everything and see what your father enjoys.

The images are organized by day – in four albums – click here for the Event Folder with links for all four days of the 2015 ET Finals! Good Luck in Pomona!

E.T. Finals 9-5-15 152E.T. Finals 9-6-15 335 E.T. Finals 9-6-15 416 E.T. Finals 9-4-15 038 E.T. Finals 9-5-15 293 E.T. Finals 9-6-15 197

NHRA Northwest Division Summit E.T. Finals at Woodburn Dragstrip

Division 6 Summit E.T. Finals ROC 8-30-14 48231 Aug 2014 Woodburn, OR – In the rotation of host tracks for the E.T. Finals in the Northwest, Woodburn claimed this year’s event.

Having not been to this track in a number of years I was impressed at the changes made. All improvements made to make it better for both racers and spectators alike. Well done.

Temps were in the 90’s, and the heat greeted all to the test and tune on Thursday with a forecast for the weekend of thunderstorms. This weather change had many a racer thinking of the tuning and a head wind to go into down the track.

On to Friday and let the racing begin. Classes split into those in the Gambler and the test and tune only, ether way you get info on how things are working according to log-books and brains with seat time. The big help, it was not as hot as yesterday for the TNT.

More than 380 entries to the gambler had five or six rounds to get to the finals, that’s a lot of racing to manage and watch. Combining both track and division personal makes for quite a talent pool to run the race with all bringing their A-game. As far as the racer’s go you know they are on top of it as the best at their tracks sent to represent the rest.

As in any sport you pit the best against the best the outcome is like picking lottery numbers, any one is capable of winning. Getting the bucks this day in the Jr. Dragster class was Emily Lewis, she got the gift as Kennedy Krier broke, tough one to take either way. In MC, Pacific and Bremerton faced off with a red light deciding the outcome before both started. Bremerton’s John Plaster gave it to Pacific’s Chris Benda. In Sportsman a pair from Vancouver, WA. battled and saw Gordon Cady Jr. running closer to his dial over John Nelson giving him the win in the greatest number of entries per class.

In Super Pro Lonnie Sharkey from Bremerton, WA. pitted against Keizer, OR. native Danny Wargnier. The double break-out race had Lonnie closer to the dial ending Danny’s bid for the bucks. What a day of racing and two more day’s to go.

4:00 am Saturday Mother Nature soaked everything not water tight. Many racers’ camps include tents, most not set up for the rain as bedtime saw mid 70’s, not the best for falling asleep in. This soaking had the track personal hot and heavy to get the water away. Go ahead she said and rained again forcing a start over a short time later. Thus went the morning of the most important race of the event. The race of champions is set in stone, it has to be run and completed. These winners go to Pomona. With at least three hours lost to the weather and a curfew in place the race pace went hot and heavy through the rounds, a testament to those who are running the show, even Mother Nature kicked in by providing partly cloudy conditions thru the racing. Toss in the “Track Manager’s Challenge” and a lot is at stake.

Some said it was a runaway but by 7 is difference between Pacific Raceways and the host Woodburn to give them the Challenge title. Sure sign of a strong team. Two class winners in the ROC proved that.

In the “Race of Champions” in Jr. Thunder Alisha Miller from Warren OR. stopped Levi Burke from Bates OR. In Jr. Lightning Adam Lint used better reaction and closer to the dial to end it for Jordin Howell. The high school class pitted a car and a truck with the ’65 Chevelle of Cameron Loos with the ’00 Sonoma of Zach Zurbrugg going too quick. The MC class saw Jeff Havens become a three timer as he ended Al Omond’s chance to claim the Wally and the trip to CA. An .029 light and closer to his dial gave Gordon Rust in his ’69 Chevelle the win over Brian Jennen in his ’70 Pontiac. The finals in PRO had Washington State between them. Nicholas Shepherd from Tigard, OR. ended Chris Stone from Mission, BC his chance at the title. Pacific’s SPRO champ Norm Braedt punched his ticket to Pomona with a foul by Sean Shaffer from Boise, ID. Putting an end to a tough day of racing by all.

Sunday, Sunday the Team Championship was up for grabs. All team member’s compete here with the Jr’s having a say so this year. With a number nearing 500 the racer’s came to run for their track not against each other as normal. Team racing at its best, one for all and all for one. 14 tracks on site made for some interesting displays in the stands surrounding the track as each team brought their flavor. After a while you could tell who won just by the noise made be each team, great support by team members.

Granted in the end there are single winners in each class but the point you gain is “TEAM” and in this case turn- around is fair play came into play. Remember the Manager’s race and how host Woodburn and Pacific battled it out for the top well these two were at it again in what was said to be the closest racing for the team championship ever. Four points was the diff. between first and third with second just one point ahead in-between. It could have gone so many way’s in the late rounds as it was anyone’s for the grab. In the end though host Woodburn claimed the title to go along with the “Team Spirit” award. In some way just like the Olympics the host team puts on a great display for everyone to see, great job by all those involved.

On a personal note I would like to thank the Evans family for Wednesday night’s chicken dinner and the Johnson’s for the 110 to see and charge up, Thanks to both, and to Joey Severance in finding a ladder for a group picture, thanks again. And in what the track photographer described as the ‘hardest working’ mop guy he has ever seen Jason Ronan proved that it can be done but you better be in shape and have your head in the game, great job young man.

The link to all the images broken down in four albums by day – click here.  Thanks for all your support.

Division Six E.T. Finals  Friday Gambler 8-29-14 310Division 6 Summit E.T. Finals ROC 8-30-14 415Division 6 Summit E.T. Finals ROC 8-30-14 419Division 6 Summit E.T. Finals ROC 8-30-14 437Division 6 Summit E.T. Finals ROC 8-30-14 450Division 6 Summit E.T. Finals ROC 8-30-14 212Division 6 Summit E.T. Finals ROC 8-30-14 271Division 6 Summit E.T. Finals ROC 8-30-14 070Division 6 Summit E.T. Finals ROC 8-30-14 202

Seeitimagery Collages Now Available

Mark Campbell04 Feb 2014 Kent, WA – Collages are not just for winner’s! Team or group images can be laid out for you to show offf in your shop, trailer or place of business. Stop by our booth at the Corvette Swap Meet Feb. 8-9 at the Puyallup Fairgrounds.


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Mark CampbellSteve BeggerlyWheels UpPacific JFCMartin LambertPacific BiteThe Bertellotti'sPAWN X-CHANGE #3 rainout 118#5Colors 11-1-13 024Jeff Eason

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Many of you have asked for samples of some of the collages available. Click on the image thumbnails below to see full size samples of just a few collages we’ve done here at See It Imagery. To order click on the Paypal link below.  A representative from See It Imagery will contact you for additional details, venues, events attended to finalize what images and custom touches you want on your collage. Happy Holidays to everyone!

Ashlie LeageBobby BurkevicsBrianna LindseyJacob HavensJessica Biscay+final wordJosh SchmankeJustin VestPacific MXPaul YoungQuinn KahlerScott LewsleyScott McLeodWilliam VestZach CraigSteve_Glenn_#_1Steve BeggerlyJFC RacingPacific JFC

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2013 Division Six ET Finals At Spokane County Raceway

E.T. Finals Sunday -015As the post-race cleanup is well underway, there is time to reflect on the past four days at the E.T. Finals.

Most all the time there is something that has the attention of those attending the event, this year was no exception, only the attention went many directions. Spokane County Raceway for the first time hosting an E.T. Finals to start with. Many track owners and operators complemented the track management on it’s wonderful preparation for the event.

With the car count tickling 600 it’s a feat for any host to manage let alone it’s first. Well done I say. The next notable happened in the ROC motorcycle/sled class. Last year’s champ Jeff Havens was going for a repeat win and had to race his son Jacob. The two track champ’s went after the track as any other race. At the finish line the difference was just a few inches, with Jeff the repeat champion, father over son. Over the weekend though overall ‘Jake was the better rider’..  “I just happened to win one”  commented Jeff. It was a classic moment if there ever was one. Each win by a driver gained a point for the track that they represent, crowning a winner with the most.

This “point” system starts at zero each day giving two different winner’s on “points” earned that day. Looking at the wins over the two day’s though points to one track that racked up the wins and at the right moment. Wins in, Sportsman, High School and Jr. Lightning in the ROC and 17 more wins overall then the next track, Bremerton Raceway had to be the big winner over the weekend. Next year Woodburn, see you there.

 

Over 1,000 images spread over three days and in three photo galleries are now available.  Click here to go to the main gallery, then click on all three days photos to view them all.

Here are the winner’s;

Race of Champions Saturday

Super PRO: Mark Simmons of Medicine Hat, AB over Tom Stockero of Bend, OR.
PRO: Chris Stone from Mission, BC. got by Dennis Dorsey of West Richland, WA.
Sportsman: AJ Tibbetts from Bremerton, WA. wins over Shannon Hensley from Cheney, WA.
Bike/Sled: Father/Son final with Jeff Havens of Yakima, WA. over Jacob from Mill Creek, WA.
High School: Justin Vest of Elma, WA. got the win when Zachary Zurbrugg of Bremerton, WA. fouled
Jr. Lightning: Yeshua Wilcox from Bonney Lake, WA. stopped Jayden Meyers of Medicine Hat, AB.
Jr. Thunder: Josh Schmanke of Olympia, WA. edged Chandler Steen of Idaho Falls, ID.

E.T. Finals Sunday

SPRO: Dave Satten from Camas, WA. over Tim Watts of Paterson, WA.
PRO: Chad Campbell of Meridian, OR. over Nicholas Shepherd of Tigard, OR.
SP: Jerry Durant Jr of Oregon City, OR. over Gordon Rust from Kirkland, WA.
Bike/Sled: Jacob Havens from Mill Creek, WA. over Stacy Hesch of Shelton, WA.

See It Imagery 36 Hour After Memorial Day Sale

sale2-520See it Imagery is having a 36hr. after Memorial Day Sale. Sale starts at 9:00am PST on 5/28 and will end at 9:00pm PST on 5/29. All items 50% off during sale hours from entire catalog posted up to the start of the sale.
Catalog includes all Drag strip, Road course, Moto-X and other activities at Pacific Raceways and Drag strip action from Bremerton Raceway.

Through the Lens-The Nightfire Nationals-From a Photographers Prospective

I had the privilege of attending the Pepsi NightFire Nationals at Firebird Raceway in Boise, Idaho for the second time in my photographic career; thanks to the hard work of Steve Heeb at Inside Track Magazine and Scott New at Firebird Raceway.

This was four days of non stop action, but the thing that I took from this event was its place in northwest drag racing history. Every racer I talked to told stories about either winning or almost winning “The Nightfire” and how for them it was like a “bucket list” achievement.

From a pure racing standpoint it was for me fun to watch “through the lens” the competition on the racetrack and the camaraderie in the pits. It was also nice to meet new friends from all over the country and Canada. As a side note Id like to thank the Firebird Staff, my old friend Dale Green for his help and the Spitali’s and Huffington’s for their hospitality throughout the weekend in nearly 95 degree heat!

There are a couple of stories worth mentioning, Mark Kidd won in Pro on Thursday and then in Bracketeer again on Friday for a two day total of $ 7,000.00. Andy Morris was the winner of Bracketeer on Saturday as he won the single biggest Bracketeer purse in Firebird history in netting a check for $7,500.00.

 

Also worth noting second generation Snowmoblie rider Richie Pedraza won the Snow/Bike division 3 out of 4 nights a feat never before accomplished at the Nightfire.

 

 

Besides all the “bracket racing action, this event included Nitro Funny Car, Nostalgia Top Fuel and Pro Mod classes. Even Ed “The Outlaw Jones” was on hand with the legendary “Candy Land Stagecoach” thrilling all of us to conclude each night. Ed was awarded a place in Firebird Raceway history as he was the recipient of the coveted “Jaker Award” as well.

 

A full photo gallery chronicling this historic event can be viewed by clicking here.