ProFormance Sport Driving Day – Oct 24 & 25th, 2015

Posted on October 25, 2015 by admin

26 Oct 2015 Kent, WA – For those that took advantage of the weekend of lapping and ProFormance Racing School got two weather apposing days. Saturday morning till near mid-day fog blanketed the track, from then on sunshine and hardly a cloud. Dry track conditions with wind pushing the leaves everywhere. Soon the line cleared and the lappers finished the “self-cleaning” and clear track the rest of the day for students and lappers alike.

Sunday had a beautiful sunrise cover the property at Pacific Raceways for the start of school. Thirteen students taking part and advantage of what the course at ProFormance Racing School can teach them.

The four exercises every student goes through get them in tune with what they will feel once the driving with an instructor begins. Beginning with a dry track and then turning wet with a persistent drizzle this class of students will be much better equipped to handle driving the roads, as the time spent here will test your limits and understanding that makes you a better driver.

To find this out for yourself check Pacific’s web site for school information on up coming dates.

Images for this event are broken into two albums, one for each day –

ProFormance Sport Driving Day – Saturday Oct 24th, 2015 – Click Here

ProFormance Sport Driving Day – Sunday Oct 25th, 2015 – Click Here

ProFormance Racing School 2-Day SCCA Class – Oct 16-17th, 2015

Posted on October 17, 2015 by admin

17 Oct 2015 Kent, WA – In the time it takes to run the 24 hours at Daytona event you can go thru this class. Over two days ProFormance will teach, coach and instruct you to what it takes to enter and take part in an SCCA event.

Classroom and on track instructions will guide you as a driver what you need to know and maybe more important what not to do. We all have our driving faults and 99.9% of them are used in this type of racing you are trying to gain a license to take part in. Learning the right and proper way to do anything that can hurt you or worse is the reason for these driving schools and Don and his instructors know this all too well.

It’s not preaching, it’s teaching that safety will always come first, unless it’s a demo derby it’s not a good thing when you dent up your race car.

Check the ProFormance link on the Pacific Raceways web site for info for your date.

Images from the two day event are now available in two albums –

Day One Photos For ProFormance Racing School SCCA 2-Day Event – Click Here

Day Two Photos For ProFormance Racing School SCCA 2-Day Event – Click Here

ProFormance Racing School – October 11th, 2015

Posted on October 11, 2015 by admin

11 Oct 2015 Kent, WA – Weather in the Northwest as we know in 24hrs can go from one extreme to another. This past weekend she did just that. Rain, rain and more rain soaked everyone if not covered. With a packed house of students and just about every instructor the rain had all searching for umbrellas.

With four instruction areas set up on the track, two at each end of Pacific’s property all outdoors and in the rain, and like football games not much will stop it. Team dedication is how it works. Construction workers out in the elements will do the same, roll with the punches and get the job done. The umbrellas now cover and at times a directional aid showed how the crew can roll with the weather.

Now for the change that Mother Nature and how the curves she throws can have you shaking your head. Sunday there was a private rental of the track, so no packed house and just a few instructors for this private school day. Sunny Sunday is the only way to describe the weather.

For the instructors here the day before this was the good for the inclement, but really for them and all those that follow under Don Kitch, it’s a team and the dedication they have for what do. For the student it matters not the weather you get the same instructions and classroom teaching.

Contact the school thru Pacific’s web site for your date.

Images from the October 11th Session are now available – click here to go to the album.

“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.

Also check the Series “B” folders for the fine work Breann did covering the event from her perspective. Thank You

Images are broken out into four albums – an “A” & “B” Series for each day of this two day event Click here to go to the four albums – lots of great shots!

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.