Kent, WA – For St. Patrick’s Day, Rainbows, Pot “O” Gold, little green men were nowhere to be seen but a shamrock was spotted for today’s HPSPD at Pacific Raceways.

Quite a number of cars showed up for a holiday romp around the track. The weather played it’s part and put a “GOLD” shine on the surface from time to time and put a big grin on the driver’s faces. With no moisture on the track surface until the last half hour of the day’s session, lap after lap went on with no issues for the safety teams. Luck of the Irish? Good driving? Either way it”s the best way to finish a driving day. Images from all the action are now available – click here to go there.

The two days that comprise the 16hr Roll-X could not have been more different. The first day started out with cool temps with bright sunshine. The second day was damp, overcast and featured light rain.  With team names like “The Flying Lumberjacks”, “Gange Green” and “FahrFrumWinnin” and cars to match, this event brings out inventive minds and ingenuity.

Saturday began with the sunglasses or tinted visors as the sun glared down on these stripped down to the bare essentials cars as they made their way around Pacific’s 2.25mi. roadcourse. As the sun got higher in the sky the glare eased off the driver’s forward line of sight and the lap times increased, with most lapping at about 1:45min. per circuit. All four of the required driver’s per team got their 2hr. shift behind the wheel.

By the end of the first 8hrs. of the race the leader had amassed a very impressive 229 laps or 515.25miles and held a 3 lap lead on the second place team.

Sunday greeted all with the need for cool and wet conditions. Some pretty heavy jackets were common. The drizzle let up for a while at the start of the last 8hrs, but the driver’s now had a slippery track to navigate, unlike the conditions yesterday. As the lapping went on the teams tires stripped away a layer of moisture in the groove and lap times increased to a little lass then the day before. Not bad for such a change in traction.

The teams went through their driver changes, each got driver their shot at the track. With rain covering the course some lost their line and put the safety workers to work, something they did not have to do the day before. The safety workers had to sweep off some gravel, and mop up some fluids, then the racing continued.

When the checkered flag waved the leader had gained a 9 lap lead over the second place team. With a total of 417 laps or 938.25 miles the team of number 112 “Team Beagle” claimed the prize.

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

RESULTS –

With the weather overcast and no rain this weekend, the Sport Driving day featured a multitude of instructions, teachings, and focus on the finer points of the craft. The Proformance Driving School along with Gymkhana Drift and Lost Mines Safety Team all put their skills to work for those who came to learn.

Showing the correct line around the road course, how to follow the coned course and learn the safety rules involved in overseeing a road course event were all going on at the same time.

A nice surprise was testing by an open wheel car recently rebuilt. Needless to say those who came to watch were seen moving from observation point to observation point to catch what was happening on the track.

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

With drag racing and moto-cross still to come the activities at Pacific Raceways are fast building to a strong 2013 season. Check out their website for upcoming events  at www.pacificraceways.com