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!
26 June 2016 Kent, WA – Back-to-Back E.T. races at Pacific Raceways are fun in many ways – bringing well in excess of 200 entries for the weekend. Along with the Swift Tools E.T. series the West Coast Streetcar Association and Canada West Doorslammers brought their high powered machines for their series at Pacific Raceways.
The great weather for racing had everyone ready to go at the scheduled time. Knowing how many runs no matter the class is shown in the “run order” that everyone has access to see. Knowing the times that you run also helps plan their doings when not running. You still have to eat and do any servicing to your race car. Unlike some tracks Pacific Raceways no matter the user on the dragstrip or road course they run until a curfew. Packed lanes and running to that hour ended the #7 race unfinished.
Finish up Sunday was the logical answer. The run order already set for Sunday according to the time allotted has dragstrip manager Ed Garfield in a time juggling mode. Knowing that towards the end of Sunday races the “cool down” times brings moments of no racing he explained at the drivers meeting the new schedule. It was executed to perfection by the dragstrip crew getting all races completed before time ran out with a big “great job” to the crew from Ed.
