Winter Practice Tree Series – Feb 27th, 2016

Posted on February 27, 2016 by admin

27 Feb 2016 Kent, WA – When Pacific Raceways and The Sports Page set the dates for the Winter Practice Tree Series this date had nothing special set for it. That all changed last weekend when Kenny O’Keefe’s race car was destroyed in a garage fire.

The ’69 Chevelle has been Kenny’s race car since the mid ‘80s. This was his baby and to lose it all at once is a hard hit for anyone to take. Pacific’s racing “family” is large and ready to help when someone needs it and this night became Kenny’s night for that help. Tonight there was a donation jar and all the cash from Pacific was donated to Kenny. Toss into that a raffle for a bike put together by Kathy Mahoney of “The Sports Page” adding to the Kenny Ka$h jar.

Somewhat lost to the night is the fact that Carl Thorsett doubled up again on the nights races. Congrats to him and a big thank you to all those who came out to support a long time Pacific racer and his quest to get back to the burnout box and beyond.

Added note: Carl Thorsett’s Pro Tree winner picture provided by Bracket Stars and from Sandi O’Keefe a big thanks to all those who helped raise over $1000 and a growing Go Fund Me site.

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

Kenny O’Keefe

Posted on February 22, 2016 by admin

22 Feb 2016 – The pictures of Kenny O’Keefe’s Chevelle show the transformation from “street” car to pure “race” car from the mid 80’s to date last season. As most all racers know, the off season is time to prep for the next year, and as the 2016 season draws near so does the anticipation to test those changes. It’s like sending your child off to school each year seeing the progression each year this is Kenny’s child that has improved every year.

Many rounds of racing have gathered many trophies’s and class championships over the years showing everyone Kenny is a force not to take lightly when you line up next to him. Enduring parts breakage over the years is every bit a part of racing and Kenny has had his share and always bounced back for the next race.

The change that confronts him now will be a hard one to bounce back from, see over the weekend a fire destroyed the garage and its contents including the “race car”. We do not know the details but what was showed on the local TV stations it was a hellish fire. I have not talked to Kenny yet, though I know he is a fierce competitor and has the tenacity to bounce back from this setback.

See It Imagery expresses its sorrow for your loss Kenny and wish you the best of luck for your return to the dragstrip.

Winter Practice Series Event #3 – February 13th, 2016

Posted on February 13, 2016 by admin

13 Feb 2016 Kent, WA – Mid-way thru the Practice Tree Series brings the racers out of the rain, though most at this time of the season most are in their shops preparing for the upcoming race year out of the rainy weather anyway.

Today it was not quite the record number as the last race but more towards normal. There was an hour of practice and then it was down to business. Also nice to see was “wives and girlfriends” joining in along with “non-racers” in a mostly “super-pro and pro” racers.

Adult beverage in one hand and the other on the button is not out of the ordinary as this is the “only” way to drink and race at the same time.

Gaining a little ground Carl Thorsett lost in the final to Tony Arthur. In the final of the “pro” tree race Paul Young picked up the prize.

Paul Young photo courtesy of “Bracket Stars”. The next race is on February 27th 2016.

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

Pacific Raceways 2015 Awards Banquet

Posted on January 23, 2016 by admin

23 Jan 2016 Kent, WA – It was a packed house for the 2015 awards banquet for the class champions at Pacific Raceways on Saturday. Some were first time champs, another a re-peat winner, a two class winner and a brother and sister accepted their hardware.

After a fine meal of either fish or ribs, track manager Ed Garfield touched on the accomplishments this season and thanked his crew and the many volunteers who helped out this season. General manager John Ramsey also pointed to a fine season and the track improvements that are coming with the permitting process.

Then taking the mike was the “the Bob and Ray show”, they got things going with Jim Ronan presenting the Jr. Racers awards. Having a part in this as he sponsored Cole Dickhoff this season he also crewed for his champion sister for her final race as a Jr. Next season she jumps into a bigger and faster dragster. Brother and sister champions in the same season, does it get any better for a family?

Ed Hauter presented the awards for the Super Saturday winners and had a little help from his grandson bringing some chuckles from the room. The big winner of the season had to be “Mighty Joe Lind” who picked up the hardware for the Wednesday night Urban Custom Bike series but also the E.T. bike class to go along with the trip to Pomona as the NHRA Division Six motorcycle representative. Out of a soft spoken man is a take no prisoners when in the beams, kudos to you Joe.

Now on to next season for bigger and better things!

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

Winter Practice Tree Nationals #1 – Jan 2nd, 2016

Posted on January 2, 2016 by admin

02 Jan 2016 Kent, WA – The Pacific Raceways 2016 season started at the Sports Page in Auburn for the Practice Tree Series with help from Bracketstars. Filling up a corner of the bar with friends and families the 20 entries paired off and attacked the tree.

No different than at the track, the chiding and ribbing along with the good luck to each other prior to racing though here it is the “only” way you can drink and race legally. In the end the winner of “Pinks” David Wakefield fell to Jason Beggerly in a close match.

It was great to see owner Joe Mahoney and his staff who are always great hosts with a menu to match. See you on the 30th of Jan. for the next race.

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

Toy For Tots – NW Toy Drive at Pacific Raceways

Posted on December 6, 2015 by admin

06 Dec 2015 Kent, WA – Each December the Pacific Raceways property plays host to some very generous people. The annual NW Toy Drive benefiting Toys for Tots. Sponsored by Lexus of Bellevue and the O’Brian Auto Group 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” was done, overseen by ProFormance Racing School giving those who take part an idea of what it feels like to drive a road course.
Of course 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. 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 excitement and holiday cheer are now available click here to go to the album, & Happy Holidays!

“Radio Dave”

Posted on October 7, 2015 by admin

“Radio Dave” as all that knew him will remember him by. If it had to do with communications Dave was there: SCCA, Pacific Raceways the two that I was in his service. Supplying the radios and other services to the SCCA events at Pacific Dave seemed to be everywhere and on the radio you heard his call sign “Radio” when things needed his attention.

He was an active member of SCCA for more than 30 years. He had the pulse on the communications during the events no matter where he was at, the radios were on and on many channels. He was also an active Ham Radio operator – Dave’s reach was worldwide. In the Ham Radio community he has joined other Ham Radio members as what they call a “silent key”, and they have their own special remembrances and memories of him.

For what he did for me and many, many others he will be missed and very difficult to replace. Godspeed “Radio Dave”.

Test & Tune At Pacific Raceways

Posted on October 3, 2015 by admin

03 Oct 2015 Kent, WA – Test and Tunes at this time of year are a weather gamble. You make these dates during the off season scheduling and hoping that Mother Nature smiles on you.

Putting a kink into the date today was things were slowed by an overnight soaking forcing the drying process of the track. Once done though the testing got underway for the 150 plus taking advantage of now the beautiful fall day. Bright blue skies always bring the smiles. Taking advantage also were a number of drivers seeking their competition license in a number of classes.

Australian native James Rowland and Stef Parker earning their BB/Funny Car licenses and coming up one run short was Mike Drzayich of Dallas, Texas. He may travel up for that one more run to get that Super Comp license. Look forward to the last test and tune on the 18th of October.

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

News for See It Imagery is that we have parted company with Breann as she moves on to a new and better part of her life. A great eye with a camera she will be missed, Thank you and good luck.

The Northwest Loses One of the Best

Posted on October 2, 2015 by admin

02 Oct 2015 Kent, WA – The NHRA Northwest Division has lost on of the best. Bill Edgeworth’s H/SA was always in the hunt, and always fun to watch. Godspeed Bill, and our sincere condolences to his friends and family.

30th Annual Baxter Auto Parts & Bi-Mart Fall Classic at Woodburn Dragstrip

Posted on September 28, 2015 by admin

27 Sept 2015 Woodburn, OR – The end of the season event for a dragstrip tends to be bigger than most other times. For Jay and Joey the co-owners of Woodburn Dragstrip, this date was planned and set up as any scheduled event during the off season as most of this is planned out. They are always looking or talking to the other track operators on their dates as two choices to a racer is mostly about cost. The annual fall classic did not get the way of other events; it is the 30th year for it says that they planned well. It is a favorite for many to attend either racer or spectator alike. This showed in the pits with racers and the field spectator parking how many enjoy it and how popular it is.

The unknown to all this planning is Mother Nature as she reared her wrath on a Nitro Harley and BB/Funny Car event thus the scramble to re-schedule it. That turned out to be this weekend and the photographers talked about the number of and wide range of cars running that had never seen before here. Close on some events but never like this. Watching the creations from the past years with updated safety is a genuine thrill plus throw in the wild creations the Pro Mod people come up with is somewhat akin to the altered runners from years past.

The racers that compete in the 10.5 class is another range of possibilities for racers to play with and trying to control all that horsepower on a ten and a half inch wide slick is why they only race to the 1/8mile. Way too much speed and power beyond that point, safety is most important but they are fun to watch at that distance.

For those at the track on Sunday the chance to see a third generation test his dragster for a Bakersfield event coming up. Walt Austin, his son’s Pat and Mike here to oversee and crew for Pat’s son Drew to make some passes. The awards, accomplishments and accolades this family is way-way more than I have space for both on a national and local level in the sport of drag racing. Great to see them out as a family racing again, Good Luck in Bakersfield.

In a two for one win Dale Green picked up both the race event and by winning he also grabbed the season championship for the Northwest Super Comp Assn. When you have to win to win Dale shows what it takes to do so, congrats to you.