A Private Session At Pacific Raceways

Posted on September 24, 2015 by admin

24 Sept 2015 Kent, WA – The private Testing at Pacific Raceways is just that – private. To be invited to photograph one you never know at times who is testing. Thus you go with an open mind and just go with the flow when you get there.

The diversity of those at the track and their reasons for doing so are just as wide. Speed Factory and their semi full of race cars and a freshly built customer’s car out for testing for an upcoming east coast race was onhand, and they were there to get the settings for the customer.

Also testing for an upcoming event Ed Hauter brought his two class dragsters getting at least a half a dozen runs on each claiming the best run ever on one of them. With a surprise to his crew chief Brad Jolly got her to drive down the track, and with some caution on his part he did it, pretty cool for Brad and him seeing his dragster go down the track.

Getting more seat time is not on her plate and Brad put near a dozen runs on the dragster before putting it away. All these racers had the common goal of testing changes and prepping for upcoming events.

The final tester on this day was here to set no speed or E.T. bests, Big Jim Ronan and his 29 Model A Sedan Delivery wheel stander out for more seat time. A lifelong dream slowly coming together as time on the track is a premium so any time on track is precious.

At the end of the day with great help from Breann all appeared to have found what they came for except Big Jim, he wants the quarter mile run under his butt.

Images of all the fun are now online – unique images of one of the least “known” things at Pacific Raceways – A “Private Session” for all to enjoy. Click here to go to the album.

ADDED BONUS!!!! – 2nd Series of Images – In the “B Series of Photos” – Click Here!

Two States, Two Tracks, 3 Events – Busy Racing Weekend!

Posted on September 21, 2015 by admin

21 Sep 2015 Kent, WA & Woodburn, OR – Two states at two tracks and three completely different events. It all started Friday in Woodburn, Oregon for the first day of the last NHRA LORDS for Division 6 race for 2015.

Fog surrounded the track but left the track bathed in sunlight for great racing conditions. It is always great to see those who take part in the divisional events as the yearly visit to Pacific Raceways is the normal and Woodburn is a treat. Now working with Breann to expose her to the other tracks in the northwest and expand her natural talents was great to watch, she says thanks for teaching but you cannot teach what comes naturally. Have to also say thanks to Jay and Joey for their help and to the Division 6 crew as it is always fun around them.

Event pictures are laid out in two albums, make sure and check both, as there are many images from a number of different vantage points.

For Event Folder with Two Albums For 2015 LODRS at Woodburn – Click Here.

It was back to Pacific Raceways for the GM Nationals on Saturday. If you had GM anywhere on your ride it is fair game for this event, held yearly at Pacific Raceways. The car show and drags make the day as the custom and pure original GM rides are showcased for each.

Overcast skies but warm for this time of year made for happy faces sitting watching from the stands or walking the car show. Back where she is happiest Breann went about what she loves to do, create with a camera and getting it to see what she is at that moment seeing. She does amaze me with her creativeness as she is getting more exposure with the camera.

The four classes drew nearly 120 competitors to the strip for a run at the trophy and of course bragging rights for their GM Nationals win.
Six rounds in Hot Rod saw Robert Steffen go closer to his dial to edge John Schwaller. In the Street DOT class Eric Brittion got the win over Pacific’s HS champ Patrick FioRito. Running too quick in the Electronics class Josh Hughes added another win to Fast Freddy Hoffman and his vast collection of hardware from Pacific/SIR. A much better reaction time put Rich Chase in the winner’s circle over Bill Sallia in LS/LT class. T was a great day all around as the growth of the event keeps growing as the word spreads.

Event pictures are laid out in two albums, make sure and check both, as there are many images from a number of different vantage points.

For 2015 GM Nationals at Pacific Raceways – Series A Images Click Here…

For2015 GM Nationals at Pacific Raceways – Series B Images Click Here…

Ending the 3 events weekend was the Silent Thunder event – is as it says “silent”. Though not quite true as these electric powered cars can do a tire smoking burnouts and the “guttural” sound the cars hit the power is very distinctive.

I had never heard a Tesla on the streets punch the power but the traction grip that the dragstrip crew provides for all races has to really test these power plants. Are these the highest powered electric cars moving up in the world? The improvements that have been made and the innovations of others may prove to be on the right track for the future.

2015 Silent Thunder Images are now available – to go to the album, click here.

Doing this event solo but with Breann on site working the social media aspect completed three days and three totally different events for a change from the norm and the smile I ended with trying something and seeing the what the student is teaching me.

Images from all three events are now available – we thank you for your continued support and purchases!

VW Nationals At Pacific Raceways

Posted on September 12, 2015 by admin

12 Sept 2015 Kent, WA – When the German car was invented I am sure they could not have imagined the many combinations that it could be morphed into. The imagination of these owners is as wide as the owner’s themselves. Between the car show and the drags you could see these imaginations at work.

If it came with a VW oval it is fair game to alter to suit your own tastes and pocket book. Just about any combination or theme you can think of made its way to the show.

Many of these looks show in Breann’s images as she wandered through the car show, no teaching this. The drag racing portion saw pure street to pure race cars going down the quarter mile. A few first timers had to be directed into the lights but after that no issues but cutting a good light. Those working their way thru the rounds showed they had gotten the hang of it.

In the end the three class winners emerged with Johnnie Balfour claiming the Sportsman class. In Pro Brian Cook took the goods, and in the fastest class Quick 8 Jerry Caddell took it over Scott Tiplady.

Lots of Images for this event – be sure to take a look at all the pages in the album – Click here to go to the photo album.

2015 ET Finals At Firebird Raceway

Posted on September 6, 2015 by admin

03-06 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.

Wednesday 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.

Once 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!

Sunday’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!

22nd Annual Nitro MC Nationals

Posted on August 30, 2015 by admin

30 Aug 2015 Woodburn, OR – For twenty one seasons the bikes and cars converged on Woodburn Dragstrip for a weekend of 200mph nitro powered Harley Davidson’s, double BB Funny Cars and their 250 mph passes. It is always a great show for those that attend and this weekend was planning on being no different.

But Mother Nature had other plans. Wind and rain greeted everyone not long after the track prep was completed, bringing a halt to the start of racing. The rain quit but the wind did not, forcing the track to cancel Saturday’s racing. To the best of anyone’s knowledge that has been around Woodburn the cancellation due to high winds was a first.

The wind pushed away the rain and that brought out the kites for some fun in the windy conditions.

Saturday night to Sunday morning the downpours returned soaking everything and the weather forecast was saying lots more rain coming, so it pushed the Woodburn crew to shut down any possibility of racing.

There will be lots of re-scheduling to bring the bikes back, check Woodburn’s web site and Facebook page for info.

Urban Custom Bikes #7 At Pacific Raceways

Posted on August 26, 2015 by admin

26 Aug 2015 Kent, WA – The last in the Urban series saw a break in what has been up till now many different winners and for the last one a first time winner.

Although the best of the last is seeing Big Jim Were riding again after going for a nasty tumble a while back.

This also was the last test and tune for the season and there were many who took advantage and a bunch of first timers bringing their rides out to test. The Wednesday night series continues to grow and we’re looking forward to next year’s series. I would like to give a congrats to Steve Rosengreen on his first win, he saved the best till the last.

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

Final Day of NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Pacific Raceways

Posted on August 23, 2015 by admin

23 Aug 2015 Kent, WA – Sunny Daze. This was the look for the weekend of LORDS action at Pacific Raceways. With all the fires burning in Eastern Washington the smoke made it over to blanket the Puget Sound area. Not a strong smell of smoke but it blocked the nice view of the surrounding mountain range and Mt. Rainer.

As far as the racing went it had no bearing on the track. The racers went down the strip in accordance with what the log books say about the conditions. With most all the competitors now pitted in what is used for the pro’s during the National event as opposed to the back stretch of the road course made for up close and personal viewing for all those attending.

Round after round of class racing to the winners on a curfew imposed deadline is not an easy task even under perfect conditions, and with this the Super Pro and Super Gas finals had to be set for an upcoming date.

Images in two albums for all the action on Sunday –

Click here for Album Series “A”

Click here For Album Series “B”

OR Click Here For Link to Page with ALL Three Days of NHRA Division Six Albums –

Today these winners were awarded the NHRA “Wally’s”.
TAD – Chris Demke
TAFC – Sean Bellemeur
Comp – Jeff Lane
Super Stock – Alan Falcone
Stock – Tommy Gaynor
Super Comp – Brian Preszler
Super Street – Todd Sims
Top Sportsman – Don Sefton
Top Dragster – Mike MacBrair
Motorcycle – Don DePeel
Pro – Joel Dalke
For the Harley action:
Pro Fuel – Janette Thomley
Pro Gas – Lance Bonham
Hot Street – Charles Robbins
Screamin’ Eagle – William Rowe Jr.
Draggin Bagger – William Rowe

Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Thunders Saturday At Pacific Raceways

Posted on August 22, 2015 by admin

22 Aug 2015 Kent, WA – It was another full day of qualifying and racing at the NHRA Division Six Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Pacific Raceways.

Over 500 images from a number of vantage points captured the action at the track. Saturday’s images are now available – click here to go to the album, and thank you for your support and purchases!!

We’ll have a final album of images tomorrow for the final day of the event, with winner circle photos and more.

Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series At Pacific Raceway – Day 2

Posted on August 21, 2015 by admin

21 Aug 2015 Kent, WA – Images from Friday’s action for the NHRA Northwest Division Six Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Pacific Raceways. Some of the quickest and fastest in the Northwest Division laid down some great runs during Friday’s action. Two days remain before the dust settles and champions are crowned.

Friday’s Image Album is now available with over 570 images – click here to go there.

Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series At Pacific Raceway – Day 1 Test N Tune

Posted on August 20, 2015 by admin

20 Aug 2015 Kent, WA – The beginning of the divisional weekend got underway with a test and tune for those who have made changes and needed to test or those that needed data for the first time here at Pacific Raceways.

No matter the reason, the goal is the same, get it right, and the test and tune time will get the information that the teams may be looking for. Different tracks and weather changing all require adding more detailed information for the log books.

Come out and watch some of the top sportsman racers in the northwest this weekend at Pacific Raceways.

Images from today’s test n tune are now available – click here to go to the photo albums.