25 June 2017 Kent, WA – Hosting a NHRA Northwest Division 6 event brings the best of the best to grab that “Wally” trophy when all is said and done. Pacific Raceways has two of these events this season, something I don’t think they have done before. Yes, they did have a “two” event weekend under a previous division director but not two separate dates.
There had to be a little question in the minds of those that put this date on the schedule, see as a lot will say in the northwest say “summer” begins on the 5th of July. Not the case this four-day race weekend. Mother nature threw down nothing but sunshine though increasing the temp every day with race day Sunday jumping into the 90’s, not normal for the end of June and just a few days into summer.
The gamble you play with Mother Nature paid off this day of “finals” as it reads like a “who’s who” in division six racing.
Starting with Jeff Lane, a many time division champion picking up another “Wally” in Competition Eliminator. Who else but Jody Lang in Super Stock, another many time “Wally” winner. Method Racing is a name you will see many times in Stock Eliminator, either Cal or Mary Ann powering their “Nova” to another “Wally”.
Top Sportsman saw a very first-time winner of the coveted “Wally” when James Rutherford came all the way from Wembley, Alberta Canada, (a 15hr. drive) and hoisted his trophy. Another name you will see is Paul Nero taking care of business in Top Dragster to grab the “Wally”.
In what has to be the best-looking pit area the Dalrymple’s came in force with “five” race machines for at least three separate classes. Hoisting the “Wally” this time out of the group, Michael got it done in Super Comp. Taking the ’63 Corvette to the winner’s circle and another name that grace’s the D-6 books, Chris Cannon put his hand around the “Wally” in Super Gas.
Many of his friends call him “Bags” but his name is Steve Beggerly, past track champ in the E.T. series at Pacific Raceways and has lifted a “Wally” in the past did it again in Super Street. Coming up from Gladstone, OR, Don DePeel powered his ’74 Kawasaki for a “Wally” in Sportsman Motorcycle.
No stranger to the “Wally” himself, Dale Green put his DG Machine ’08 American dragster in the winner’s circle. Another local racer, Al Chinn and his ’64 Nova Wagon running in a “not” normal class for him put it in the winner’s circle holding up the “Wally”.
Congrats to all the winners who endured the heat for a fine four days of racing.
The event album now sports a total of five albums, covering all four days of racing, testing, and qualifying. Some great shots of action on the finish line are included, and are really cool, in spite of the heat this weekend. To go to the event albums – click here.
Also a young lady very near and dear to myself and my daughter up from Boise spending time with her squeeze Jason while he worked the race spending a little time with a strange camera (she shoots Cannon I shoot Nikon) working on her own photography skills. Thank You young lady, till next time.
28 June 2017 Kent, WA – After a weekend of record-heat the mid-week bike and diesel drags basked in cloudy skies and very comfortable temperatures. Along with the two regular Wednesday series running tonight, the test and tune lanes saw quite a mix of street cars and some true race cars out to test and earn a competition license.
One of those out for the process of getting a competition license was a guy named Gary. Two years of hard work with near five more just putting around on his 1970 Duster. It runs on pump gas and uses a footbrake to launch, it also has no side windows and drives on the streets. This is where the description of the car takes a turn as it is modeled after the very early “funny cars”. No lift-up body here, it has “doors” on both sides and they are all metal though the guts have been removed for weight.
PRDC winner: Jim Were
