Test-N-Tune & Jr Dragster #1 at Pacific Raceways

Posted on April 9, 2016 by admin

09 April 2016 Kent, WA – The fog moved in and the sun pushed it away casting a shadow on everyone for this first race of the 2016 season for the Jr. Dragsters. The racers, with another year under their belt were eager to get racing again.

The other group of racers out today was there for the test and tune. Great turnout! – Four lanes wide and around the curve. Can you say “happy to be racing again”.

One of the biggest happy grins had to have come from young Mr. Wilcox. He was just recently licensed in a sleek race car in its own right – he jumped into grandpa’s dragster and made his first of two runs required to upgrade, a little quicker and a bit faster. Good job to you.

The Jr. Dragster Winners –

Jr. Storm – Jaslyn Bean
Jr. Thunder – Ian Theofelis
Jr. Lightning – Josh Schmanke

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

Drag Racing Test-N-Tune at Pacific Raceways!

Posted on March 27, 2016 by admin

26 Mar 2016 Kent, WA – For as many years that anyone can remember guessing the weather and scheduling dates for dry conditions mix like oil and vinegar. Getting nice weather in the northwest spring that can change hourly and even sunny here and downpours a mile away is not uncommon.

To a drag racer when they hear the weatherman say no rain until early evening it is pure joy, on top of that it’s a Saturday. The lanes packed with cars showed many a racers were glad to be shaking off the winter and ready to once again hit the dragstrip at Pacific Raceways.

The day before Easter has a lot of families together for the day and as all know racing is a family sport and to do this together makes no difference that it’s a holiday weekend. Grandparents and young mothers watching the kids play in the enclosed area Pacific has brings the future racers to the enjoyment of the sport. How many racers today have memories of the same thing, you talk to them and they will tell you, yes.

The race team combinations have many forms like Gary and his wife and the red Camaro or John and son Ian both now in dragsters though John’s is bigger also grandpa Terry handing the keys of his sleek new race car to his 16 and a half year old grandson Yeshua to license in. No matter how you describe the team, family is the focal point. Friends, family and racing this was the real first test and tune of the 2016 season (the first rained out just after starting) enjoying the spring weather.

What was not normal to hear this early here is the sound of a “nitro” motor running. This motor resides in the frame rails of Dana Meeks nitro Harley out to test for an event in Vegas upcoming. Made two productive runs too, the last ending the day of testing and tuning for all as the winter time curfew is still in effect. Good luck to Dana and all else in a couple weeks for the next test and tune.

Thanks to the great conditions there are over 300 images to choose from in the photo album. Click here to go to the album.

Weather Induced Coverage – Test-N-Tune & 4-Stroke Karts

Posted on March 20, 2016 by admin

20 March 2016 Kent, WA – Weeks of anticipation to get a run down the dragstrip has arrived. Winter upgrades and new cars need to be tested. There is only a month till the start of the 2016 E.T. Drag Racing Season, so these test and tunes can be very helpful.

Not so helpful though was Mother Nature as the weather pundits called for rain. We first got a round of “street” tires and then the “slick” tired racers got their shot at the track. Up next the motorcycles.

As normal track champion Joe Lind was first in the burnout box. Did I mention that water is needed to do your burnout? Water provided by the track in a controlled amount. Burnout completed and ready to “stage” Mother Nature started adding more water to the burnout box and everywhere else that matters to a drag racer.

There were no breaks in the rain and the test and tune is now history, so it was off to the PGP Motorsports Park for some 4-stroke kart racing – they have “rain” tires and the gear to keep you somewhat dry. We got there just in time to catch the last qualifying heat as the rain continued, throwing spray off the tires as they sped by.

Noted is the fact the lap times do not differ much between the dry or wet track surfaces – a testament to how well the rain tires work.

Throwing down some very steady lap times Derek Wang could not be caught and claimed the P1 spot. Standing in P2 young Mason Buck is showing the progression he has made over the past year and a frequent stander on the podium Zak Bothel picked up P3.

Two albums are available, one for the first Test-N-Tune event of the season, the other for 4-Stroke. Click on the links below to go to the photo albums.

Drag Racing TNT Images – Click Here

4-Stroke Kart Racing Images – Click Here

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.