Huge IRDC Weekend at Pacific Raceways

IRDC Sunday 7-24-16 (93)24 July 2016 Kent, WA – Back for the second date of their 2016 season the IRDC came to race on the 2.25 mile road course at Pacific Raceways. The nearly 140 entries spread out in 6 groups had a wide range of race cars to watch.

IRDC Sunday 7-24-16 (248)Many of the race cars have their roots in Europe and the large bore group that mixes it up with the early NASCAR type body and power makes for some great racing. Throw in names like Stoh, Protoform, Chevron and Cheetah in the open wheel group made for some great races to watch from the many places to do so on the property.

IRDC Sunday 7-24-16 (245)Group 1 mostly made up of Pro-3 BMW race cars had by far had the most entries. Very equal in performance they will race side by side and nose to tail for most of the race, again making for some great racing to watch.

IRDC Sunday 7-24-16 (297)We can’t wait until next season when they will again be back at the track.

3 Albums of images for all three days of action – and some new viewpoints too – check out all the images and albums with the links below.  Thank you for your support and purchases!

2016 IRDC Test N Tune – July 22nd2016

2016 IRDC Saturday Photo Album – July 23rd, 2016

2016 IRDC Sunday Photo Album – July 24th, 2016

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PRDC #5 At Pacific Raceways

PRDC #6 7-20-16 (147)20 July 2016 Kent, WA – The mid-week bike race has to have the most consistent group of racers at the track. This group has made the Wednesday night race a get together to race and work among the racers to improve their performance.

PRDC #6 7-20-16 (88)They are all friends till the light turns green –by helping each other the competition gets closer. This in turn gets the rider’s up on their game on the starting line because they know it will be close at the finish line.  They are always gathering after running to compare slips and watch their competitors run. Then they head back to their pits to do it all again helping those advancing to the next round.  This has to be the tightest group of racers who compete at the track.

But there can be only one in the end and Chris Benda is on the fast track as this is another win to add points to his lead.

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

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Swift Tools #10 & Diesel Drags & Show at Pacific Raceways

Swift Tool #10 and Sound Diesel 7-16-16 (540)16 July 2016 Kent, WA – Overcast skies and comfortable temps greeted all those who came to race or just to watch a great day of racing at Pacific Raceways. For those racers and spectators alike got the treat of watching “big rig” diesel trucks motor down the dragstrip, and it was event #10 of the season for the Swift Tools ET Series.

Swift Tool #10 and Sound Diesel 7-16-16 (262)

It was quite a sight watching blowing smoke out the stacks seeing how quick and fast the bid diesels could go.

Somewhat of another sight though not as in plain sight to all were the Hagen twins racing in the high school class. When together with their father it becomes clearer as their Dodge cars stand out. Take away color and a Wash. Plate and you have “three” peas in a pod, and they were having a great time doing so, pure “family” fun and racing at its roots. More on Angie later.

Closing out the race day the Diesel rigs were cut loose on the dragstrip and the fat part of the road course next to the strip. These prepared big rigs ran some pretty respectful times but the show where the doughnuts they were doing – now that would rival any winner on a circle track. To throw those heavy rigs around throwing tire smoke enough to hide the truck inside is quite a sight. Many cheers and posts to social media show the hit they were, great show.

To the list of winners I get to add a new one in “Big Rig” Ron Buckholz proved he can win in most anything and in the Diesel class Colton Christensen claimed the trophy.
For the Swift Tool #10 race Mark Johnson got the win in Super Pro with Brad Craig bringing his family to the winners circle. Larry DeCamp out lasted the field in Sportsman and continuing his winning streak Chris Benda put another Motorcycle trophy on the shelf and what had to be the upset of the race had to be the afore mentioned Angie Hagen taking out multi-class winner and points leader Lane Cavar.

Lots of images from the final event of this busy weekend – click here to enjoy them, and thank you for your support and purchases!

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VW Nationals at Pacific Raceways

VW Nationals 7-17-16 (88)17 July 2016 Kent, WA – From Canada, Washington and Oregon VW drivers and the things that they done to them are on full display at their annual event at Pacific Raceways, the VW Nationals.

VW Nationals 7-17-16 (36)

The popularity of the “bug” is big and getting bigger as the original models are getting quite pricey when sold. That’s the custom end of the VW; those that drag race are all after the same thing. Though slightly different in looks they are pretty much the same when it comes to the power plant.

The fact that you have to have a parachute attached to the rear end speaks loudly. Hiking the front end onto the wheelie bars is not uncommon and they are truly getting faster.

This year’s winners are in Sportsman Craig Johnson got the win and Pro class had Rocky Jennings topping the field. For the Run Tuff class Dave Wright got the trophy and for the Quick 8 Terry Hoogstins proved the best this race.

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

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Porsche Club Takes On Pacific’s Road Course

Porsche Club 7-15-16 (145)15 July 2016 Kent, WA – For all those that enjoy putting out on the track what is built into a production Porsche these are the days they mark on the date book. This time of year the track has the favorable weather to put the pedal down on the dry surface and test your driving skills. Add those that put the improvements to get even more running on pure race tires have to enjoy it even more.

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Not having to run “rain” tires though they work well it is just not the same, either way it is just fun. This day had that wide range of members and their Porsche modified or not just having a great time behind the wheel.

Porsche Club 7-15-16 (10)

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

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Jr Dragsters #9 & Car Club #5 at Pacific Raceways

Jr. #9 and Car Club #5 7-15-16 (151)15 July 2016 Kent, WA – The Jr Dragsters came ready to run as the points required to get into the ET finals and a trip north of the border are getting short.

A lot of very close racing thru the season moves the standings around, and things can change with that win or first round loss. From the youngest to the oldest they understand that they can’t win them all and that the sportsmanship win or lose ends with a handshake.

Jr. #9 and Car Club #5 7-15-16 (56)

These are the stars of the future no matter how far they go that good sportsmanship really beats out the end results, way to go.

Jr. Storm saw Raylee Higgins the winner with Ryan Lamoureux claiming top spot in Jr. Lightning and another Cavar showing what runs in the family Luke claimed the Thunder class, rounding up the Jr. classes John Hawes picked up Jr. Street. Car Club runner Scott Christensen outlasted all for the win.

Images of all the classes and winner circle pictures are now available – click here to go to the photo album.

Jr. #9 and Car Club #5 7-15-16 (144)Jr. #9 and Car Club #5 7-15-16 (161) Jr. #9 and Car Club #5 7-15-16 (163) Jr. #9 and Car Club #5 7-15-16 (144) Jr. #9 and Car Club #5 7-15-16 (146) Jr. #9 and Car Club #5 7-15-16 (153) Jr. #9 and Car Club #5 7-15-16 (159)Jr. #9 and Car Club #5 7-15-16 (151) Jr. #9 and Car Club #5 7-15-16 (56)

Nostalgia Race at Pacific Raceways

Nostalgia Race 7-10-16 (102)10 July 2016 Kent, WA – Capping off a very busy 3 event weekend at Pacific Raceways, and after two days of fighting Mother Nature she left the track alone as the weather passed around the area for great racing. The cooler than normal temp with a good track temp put a number of racer’s to their best passes ever.  Watching these early years race cars make passes some of which only come out for this race along with the series runners is great to watch.

Nostalgia Race 7-10-16 (384)Throw in a bunch of AA/Supercharged powered rides that will pass 200mph in six and a half seconds. Add to that Randy and Kim Parker with a new car for daughter Stephanie.  Her maiden run done with a thumbs up from dad, and a little nervous Stephanie laid down two fine runs not quite to the sixes that the car is capable of running but worthy of big hugs from the crew and parents.

Nostalgia Race 7-10-16 (366)Great weather for great photos today too – click here to see all the images from today’s action.

A great day for all those watching from the stands and a real great day for these winners:

AA/GAS- Scott White
Dragster/Roadster- Allan Thornock
Stick Shift- Jamie Roth
Top Gas- Jess Dale
Hot Rod 1- Brian Mcginnis
Hot Rod 2- Chris Sheldon
Street Machine 1- John Rheinberger
Street Mach9ine 2- Larry DeCamp

Super Saturday Event at Pacific Raceways

Super Saturday 7-9-16 (440)09 July 2016 Kent, WA – Going into the third of the super Saturday’s on the race schedule was on hold. The Jr. Race the night before was stopped due to Mother Nature; rain continued thru the night soaking everything not covered.

This put the drag crew to early work drying the track with no help the aforementioned Mother Nature. Nearing the end of the drying process she decided one more time to start the drying all over again. Not deterred the drag crew went back at it now with a little help from the weather as the skies broke up just enough to speed up the drying.

Super Saturday 7-9-16 (448)Over 450 images are now available – click here…

Now ready to go and late of the normal start time the drag crew was tested with over 200 entries and 15 classes to run and finish to the winner’s circle.  After running thru the classes like the well-oiled group that they are this Super Saturday goes into the books with these winners:

Super Pro- Emmett McKillop
Pro- Greg Steen
Sportsman- Derrick Schumsky
Motorcycle- Chris Benda

Jr. Storm- Raylee Higgins
Jr. Lightning- Josh Schmanke
Jr. Thunder- Luke Cavar

High School- Lane Cavar
Super Gas- Glenn Paine Jr.
Super Comp- Dale Green
Super Street- Dustin Ward
Stock- Brian Seaberg
Turbo Two- Rob Stariha
Turbo Thunder- Gene Fleury

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Jr Dragsters #7 & Car Club #4 at Pacific Raceways

Jr.#7 7-8-16 (41)08 July 2016 Kent, WA – We are passing the halfway point in the race season, and the Jr. Racers all in the routine now and always ready to run.  Knowing the run order these Jr’s were in the lanes and ready to go.

Jr.#7 7-8-16 (74)Any other time they are the kids they are having fun doing what they feel, tossing the football and running around then there are those that spend the time keeping the dragster clean and ready for the next round. No matter what they are doing in between rounds when time they all run to get their rides and head for the lanes.

Jr.#7 7-8-16 (114)

This dedication I commend as sitting in their cars Mother Nature started messing ever so slightly with the ability to race.  All that eagerness – and now wrapped in safety gear and strapped in the dragster, but going nowhere.

Sadly there was no choice but to pull the plug and finish the races the next day, Mother Nature won.

Got some great images as the lighting was excellent – click here to go to the photo album.

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ProFormance Racing School Had Busy Day

AM Only Skills-Novice HP-PM Lapping 7-7-16 (206)07 July 2016 Kent, WA – With summer now in full swing, students fresh from classes at their college are now in class again, going thru the driving class at ProFormance Racing School.

AM Only Skills-Novice HP-PM Lapping 7-7-16 (73)What you learn will be of great benefit your entire life, as driving in general can be dangerous and the school will point out how avoid the potential danger. What you learn here is not taught in driver’s training.

If think you know how to drive, think again. All of us pick up habits that are not conducive to safe driving. With an instructor by your side as you lap the track your habits will pop up and be pointed out and driving away after school you will find yourself following what you have been taught.

Check for the next date at the ProFormance web site.

There were a lot of really cool cars and drivers today – 300 images to choose from –  Click here to go to the photo album.

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