Toys For Tots at Pacific Raceways

Posted on December 4, 2016 by admin

04 Dec 2016 Kent, WA – Each December the Pacific Raceways property plays host to some very generous people. The annual NW Toy Drive benefiting Toys for Tots is sponsored by Lexus of Bellevue and the O’Brian Auto Group, and thousands of folks brought their un-wrapped gifts or cash donation for the Marine Corps Reserve program.

Combine this with holiday music covering the many cars out for the car show gathering. Out on the 2.25 mile track a “lead/follow” program overseen by ProFormance Racing School was giving those who take part an idea of what it feels like to drive a road course.

In the house, Santa and his helpers were on hand accepting gifts and posing for pictures, also on hand passing out candy canes was Ed Troyer from the Pierce County Toys for Tots program.

Every year that I have covered this event it has gotten bigger and bigger thus proving the generosity of the NW to those in need. This year exceeded last year’s total in boxes of toys and those taking part in the lead/follow.

Great job by all those involved as it takes many to help bring it together each year. Till next year Happy Holidays to all.

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

Test-N-Tune & Gambler Event at Pacific Raceways

Posted on October 22, 2016 by admin

22 Oct 2016 Kent, WA – The month of October has been on a pace to eclipse the wettest on record. Thus, the first two of three dates for the month were washed out, I mean washed out. This day though mother nature shined as if to say “not three in a row”.

This the last drag race date for the 2016 season brought a wide range of cars to the track. For most it was a new experience racing only an eighth mile. This length came about over pure safety for the racers as the relentless rains left water seeping thru the cracks. This length was right at home for the “drag radial class” car out for some testing and worked out perfect for the Parker family out for testing on the “funny car”.

As the “gambler” race got underway, after a number of runs to the eighth for a way different “dial-in” than normal really did make for some great side by side racing.

Ending the day with the last money run right at the deadline finishing out the 2016 season and padding the pockets of Robert Cody and John Schwaller for their class wins.

Images are now available, the fall light made for great images. Click here to go to the photo album. Thank you so much for your support and purchases!

3rd Annual Trick or Treat Shootout at Renegade Raceway

Posted on October 9, 2016 by admin

09 Oct 2016 Yakima, WA – Drag racing at its core is every bit a family affair. Toss in Halloween and it shows even more. The gathering of families for the Trick or Treat Shootout combined with the Super Quick and Jr. Championship Series had them at Renegade Raceway in Yakima, WA for a weekend of racing and champions crowned. Racers from all over the northwest and Canada were running for the trophies and better yet the coveted “Wally”.

Racing into the darkness Saturday enhanced the excitement for many a Jr dragster driver, building to what in the end was that “Wally”.

Dylanie Petersohn just nine years old came in a borrowed car after hers expired at her last race in her first season of racing captured that gold hardware. A feat as most all would say is not easy to do and shows the talent and composure the drivers have at her age while competing in Jr. Thunder.

In the Jr. Lightning class Nathan Watts threw down reaction times that all started with a zero and put a .001 on the board on a single in round two on his way to the “Wally”.
Picking up the “Wally” in the Malarkey Roofing Products sponsored Superquick Series Andy Schlenker outlasted the field in his Mullis dragster.

On to Sunday and the quest begins again for the hardware though unlike yesterday today the weather became a major player. After two rounds in the books the powers that be had to pull the plug as “Mother Nature” became the winner this day. This forced Division Director Matt to go to his laptop and put a “championship” stamp to the series.

In the end Don Sefton in “Super Quick”, Tiffany Howe in Jr. Lightning and Cooper Chun in Jr. Thunder were crowned “Champions” for the season series. To all that came for the weekend look forward to next season and this event at Renegade Raceway.

An Event folder has been created with two albums worth of images available, one for Saturday, and the other for the Sunday action. Click here to go to the photo albums.

31st Bi-Mart Fall Classic at Woodburn Dragstrip

Posted on September 25, 2016 by admin

25 Sept 2016 Woodburn, OR – The number says this final event for the 2016 season at Woodburn has been a hit for many years, 31 to be exact. The weekend has grown many times over since its inception; this year’s weekend packed the grounds with racers and spectators alike, all here for the great show.

The combinations of classes had one for all to enjoy on the track and in the pits. With the great weather after the early morning fog on Saturday both race days finished by sundown. The final race of the Super Comp Association added two new winners to the list for this season of racing.

Big thanks to Jay and Joey and their crew for providing a great show for all to enjoy. And special thanks to Randy Parker for sharing just one part of all that knowledge and experience he has stored up. Looking forward to event number thirty two and what it will bring.

Lots of great images, with a lot of cars you don’t see week-to-week. There are two albums to enjoy, one for each day.

FOR SATURDAY IMAGES – CLICK HERE

SUNDAY IMAGES – CLICK HERE

NHRA Division Six Season Finale at Woodburn

Posted on September 19, 2016 by admin

19 Sep 2016 Woodburn, OR – The final division race of the season no matter the location will bring those that need to protect their position in the standings, those that know with a good showing can move up in the standings and those that just love to race no matter where they are in the standings.

This was truly the mix for the final NHRA Northwest Division Six race held at Woodburn Dragstrip.

Thursday and Friday the weather could not have been better, sunny but not really hot temps. All of a sudden the smart phones started buzzing about “mother nature” and the radar picture. Just when the racing was about to get serious the rains came and washed away Saturday.

With figuring done, it was planned the race could finish on Sunday in the time allotted meaning no issues. Come Sunday morning the no issues went away thanks to Mother Nature and her relentless overnight rain. So much rain fell that it lifted the rubber from the track surface forcing the track and D-6 crew to scrape and re-prep the track. Thanks “Mother Nature”.

Darkness was the deciding factor now and they ran all that could be run till dark, and then it was on to Monday.

On to Monday morning and again the weather played a part as a heavy dew covered everything not protected from it along with pretty dense fog obstructing your view. The crew got the rest of the event done in just a few hours even with later start, those few hours that were taken away by the weather showed that the hard work and dedication by the Woodburn and D-6 crews can race ready a track surface no matter the issue.

A big thanks to Jay and Joey for their help and answers, it was always a good time at their track. For a list of the winner’s visit the D-6 web site.

Over 1,200 images are now available, many from some new vantage points. Click here to go to the event album – there are a total of five albums, organized by day to make it easier. CLICK HERE.

GM Nationals at Pacific Raceways

Posted on September 10, 2016 by admin

10 Sept 2016 Kent, WA – Bringing out all things GM to a car show and drag racing will see combinations from mild too wild. Pure joy fresh off the dealer lot and those from the owner’s garages.

If you can think it, you can do it with a GM block or body. Bring it to the GM Nationals and they will have a class it will fit into, drag or show with very nice trophies for the winners. Toss into the mix a nostalgia dragster, a fine looking pro mod and a newly built funny car making passes down the dragstrip, and you have a great day!

It was even better than last year and everyone is looking forward to a better next year.

The event photos are now posted online, and are available – click here to go to the photo album.

Those picking up the trophies are Jim Mabry in Electronics and a very elated Frank Rhodes in Hot Rod while Candy Caldwell got the win in Street DOT and driving his Silverado to the win in LS/LT.

Final Swift Tools ET Series Event of 2016 & King of the Track at Pacific Raceways

Posted on August 27, 2016 by admin

27 August 2016 Kent, WA – The final race of the 2016 Swift Tool E.T. series brought a packed house of racers ready to do battle.

Fighting for points to take over a top spot or just improve their position in the standings it is all the same, WIN. Throw in a few who were just testing for next season saw some very close finish line wins and losses. Win or lose all those who took part in the season series had a good time out with friends, family and fellow racers.

Picking up the trophy’s this last race are Fred Hoffman in Super Pro with past Division champ Robert Steffen getting the win in Pro, also a packed Sportsman class saw long time racer Rick Green get the trophy and last year’s track champ Joe Lind picked up another trophy for his case.

In what has to be the feel good win of the season Kenny OKeefe after losing his long time race car to a fire, starting over with a replacement and going back to the Sportsman class instead of Pro that he ran with the destroyed car claimed the “King of the Track” banner and a huge boost after suffering a great loss. Great season Kenny.

Till next year have a great “off” season.

Over 300 images are now available – click here to go the photo album. Thanks for your support and purchases!!!

Final 2016 Wednesday Nite PDRC & Diesel Drags at Pacific Raceways

Posted on August 23, 2016 by admin

23 August 2016 Kent, WA – The final Wed. night racing of the season brought the largest entry into the Diesel portion of the night and a couple of new faces in the bike class.

It was total shirt sleeve weather on an August night but not so hot to seek the shade. As the mid-week race grows the competition grows with it for some great racing and watching from the stands.

Only two classes but a whole bunch running in the test and tune portion of the night. The winner in Diesel saw Aaron Parsley out last the field and Mark Sires got the win over Brian Howe.

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

Big Division Six Weekend at Pacific Raceways

Posted on August 21, 2016 by admin

22 August 2016 Kent, WA – Continuing on from the hot weather the Pacific date for the NW Division 6 qualifying began. Along with the division race the sportsman finals from the NW National rain out was on the docket and a whole different set of conditions to deal with.

As for the reminders about staying cool and hydrated, it was everywhere. Bottles of water were in hand and a cool towel around the neck. Also seen where more “bumpershoots” than on a rainy day in the northwest. Having endured the heat on Friday and Saturday, Sunday the marine cloud layer brought out the coats and sweatshirts much to the joy of all.

Now all the data gained in the heat is out the window with as much as a twenty degree drop from the previous days. In the heat Saturday though the sportsman finals were run and Chuck Glanz took the Top Dragster class and local racer Brian Phillips home the Top Sportsman “Wally” in Super Stock, second generation racer Cody Lane added to his trophy case, also up from Tigard, Or. Steve Laskowske grabbed the Super Gas win and from further away Jerry Denton from Tempe, Az. will long haul the “Wally” from Super Street and what had to be the best winner after over four decades of racing Tory Lea got his first “Wally” running in Super Comp.

Congrats to the National event winners now on to Sunday. As mentioned it felt good to have a jacket on and no umbrellas in sight. There was great side by side racing as the best of the division went rounds as the temp rose to a very comfortable shirt sleeve day. For those in the stands it could not be better soaking the sun and racing.

In what had to be the highlight even before the finals for the division race began is local history. I know it did not happen on the same day as normal finals at a NHRA event nor did it happen on the same date but under the heading “Protect The Harvest NW Nationals” class winners list will be father and son Jeff and Cody Lane from nearby North Bend. None the less it is rare indeed for a father and son to win at the same national event; great job you two and your crews.

Link for images of the event, organized into FOUR albums – over 2,000 images! – click here.

Also ahead of the list Jeff can claim winning a National and Divisional “Wally” on the same day. On to the winners with a great big “Thank You” to Pam Gorman for keeping my info straight:

Top Alcohol Dragster: Garrett Bateman
Top Alcohol Funny Car: Chris Marshall
Competition Eliminator: Jeff Lane
Super Stock: Rick McKinney
Stock Eliminator: Greg Kielman
Super Comp: Trevor Harkema
Super Gas: Greg Hehr
Super Street: Jeff Jackson
Top Sportsman: Shawn Herbst
Top Dragster: Tony Burton
Sportsman Motorcycle: Danny Patridge
Super Pro: John Chitwood
Pro: Dennis McGinnis

NHRA Division Six Spokane Rain-Out Completed at Pacific Raceways

Posted on August 18, 2016 by admin

18 August 2016 Kent, WA – It’s not normal in Eastern Washington – the dry part of the state gets rain, but it can happen. Thus the rain-out phase went into action for the NHRA Division Six event held earlier this season in Spokane. The racers and powers that be agreed that completing the event at Pacific Raceways would fit so here we are.

The weather was every bit like the east side of the Cascade Crest in the summer time, with temps well into the 90’s – that is not the norm for the west side for those that reside here so hydration and shade became the point put out over the PA and track personnel.

For those that go to Spokane in the summer time it had to feel like home and how to deal with the heat. As those that race in these conditions know the settings for a baseline then put it to work on the record setting and quite normal prepped track by Pacific’s drag crew. Those that had it laid down some dead on their dial and cutting down the tree with triple zeros.

Lots of great images of these amazing machines in the heat – click here to go to the photo album.

WINNERS

Competition Eliminator: Brian Hyerstay
Super Stock: Darcy Clarke
Stock: Jody Lang
Super Comp: Mike Shannon
Super Gas: Dave Kelly
Super Street: Josh Dalrymple
Top Dragster: Nick Axtman Jr.
Top Sportsman: Mike Williams
Sportsman Motorcycle: Cody Cumpton