Tag Archives: #jimdoyle

Final Classes of 2017 at ProFormance Racing School

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09 Dec 2017 Kent, WA – Putting a period on the 2017 ProFormance Racing School season as this day is the final of the year. The weather on this crisp and cold December played along as no rain or snow hampering the day.

As the day progressed the sun melted away the frost and ice along with chill warming the body enough to shed the heavy coats that started the day. For the students it was hard to keep the window down as required by the instructors so they may talk to you after each pass on the four different exercises, but I’m sure that the heaters were on full blast keeping the chill at bay.

The new year is about here, and the winter dates are there for you to take advantage of the school and what you “WILL” learn to become a better driver. Go to the ProFormance Racing School website for your date.

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

Toys For Tots – NW Toy Drive at Pacific Raceways

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03 Dec 2017 Kent, WA – Each December Pacific Raceways property plays host to some very generous people. The annual NW Toy Drive benefiting Toys for Tots. Sponsored by Lexus of Bellevue.

Thousands of folks brought their un-wrapped gifts or cash donation for the Marine Corps Reserve program. Combine this with holiday music and vendors covering the many cars out for the car show gathering.

Out on the 2.25mi. Track a “lead/follow” overseen by ProFormance Racing School and Don Kitch giving those who take part an idea of what it feels like to drive a road course.

In the house, Santa and his helpers were on hand accepting gifts and posing for pictures, also on hand 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.

This year exceeded last year’s total when combining cash donations and boxes of toys and those taking part in the lead/follow is growing in popularity. 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 are now available – click here to go to the photo album.

ProFormance Racing School Going Strong in October!

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28 Oct 2017 Kent, WA – Sunshine and mid to upper 60’s in late October can only be a blessing from mother nature on this school day for ProFormance Racing School. The northwest just prior to Halloween shades more towards the “Northwet” then sunny and warm spring like day.

With many more dates set thru-out the fall and winter when wet driving will become the normal it’s no better time to set your date for school. What you will learn from Don and his instructors is a base for better driving and control of your automobile.

Go to the ProFormance Racing Schools web site and pick a date for school. In the northwest it is by far the best bang for your buck you can do for yourself and your expensive auto.

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

Final TNT & Gambler Race at Pacific Raceways

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15 Oct 2017 Kent, WA – Drag racing in the northwest in October is all up to Mother Nature. This sunny and chilly start to the day could not be better. Hearing what the local weather people were predicting brought out a host of racers for testing and a gambler race as those predictors are putting the last date on the 2017 season in doubt.

This also may have helped those new car owners to test their rides on the track. How often do you see a McLaren MP4 testing the dragstrip? Just one of the many new cars and faces enjoying what Pacific Raceways offers.

Grabbing the bucks in the gambler race in his ’69 Dodge Rob Hodgson to haul home.

See you next season unless Mother Nature graces us with one more October drag strip date.

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

AM Skills, Novice HP & PM Lapping at ProFormance Racing School

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14 Oct 2017 Kent, WA – The word has spread from the students that have gone thru the ProFormance Racing School program and how you should make time to take yourself to school. The newer cars are becoming more and more controlled by what you don’t see.

Testing these controlling parts will tell you thru the seat of your pants what your car feels like when doing so. Anti-lock brakes when put into action while going 50 mph all the while putting steering input to avoid a collision will get your attention.

When done as instructed by the crew of very experienced drivers themselves you feel it and you get it after done a few times. This just one of the exercises the school puts you thru with in classroom and on the grounds teaching by Don Kitch.

Your new car is a big investment, help yourself and your investment by going thru the school, contact them on their website and book a date.

Images from the sessions today at Pacific Raceways are now available – click here to go to the photo album.

NWN Motorsports Track Day at Pacific Raceways

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07 Oct 2017 Kent, WA – To say that drag racing in the Northwest in October could be hitched to global warming, can’t say that this is true but with a total of three weekend days set for drag racing is on the docket for Oct.

Mother Nature is as always the controlling factor and will test a drag strip crew to no end prepping a track for racing. On this day a private track rental put together by Mookie Dedic but open to the public brought a whole bunch of his race friends out for a day of racing.

After getting help from Mother Nature drying the track creating a later start than posted the lanes filled and the fun began till curfew with only a slight delay due to light sprinkles. Taking advantage of this day also Steve Huff Motorsports brought out the “all” electric dragster seeking the record they are ever so close to now.

To those that have the records know, everything has to go spot on in your attempt to do so. The power is there, it’s getting the moving parts settings just right and the record will be theirs to hold.

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

Next chance weather permitting is Oct. 15th a Sunday.

AM Skills, Novice HP & PM Lapping at ProFormance Racing School

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06 Oct 2017 Kent, WA – Driving thru the school lot today the student cars were lined up and ready to go. Look a little closer and notice the makers of those of those autos. Today there was a Benz, an Audi, a new Mustang, a taped up GTR and a number of BMW’s. All very nice autos and the owners would like to keep them that way.

That upkeep is all on them and how they take care of them but once out driving the other owner driven cars and trucks can become a concern. Collision avoidance is one of the four exercises that you go thru, and according to the instructors it is the most commented on when the students are finished with the daylong class.

Knowing what your car will do in adverse conditions and more so in a potential collision situation. There is a reason that at most all road course tracks a school is on the grounds. Become a better driver by going thru the school as it may very well the best bang for the buck that you could spend on yourself and your automobile.

Images from the October 6th classes are now available – click here to go to the photo album.

Go to the ProFormance Racing School website for a date for yourself, you won’t regret doing so.

32nd Annual Bi-Mart Classic at Woodburn Dragstrip

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24 Sept 2017 Woodburn, OR – Depending on your Friday obligations it was a two or three day weekend of racing in great weather for racers and spectators alike at the 32nd Annual Bi-Mart Fall Classic at Woodburn Dragstrip.

It was a test and tune on Friday and two separate races, one Saturday and again on Sunday. Saturday ran 13 classes with 16 on Sunday. From BB/Funny Cars down to the Jr. Dragsters and just about all the classes in-between for a Nostalgia and E.T. themed race weekend.

Adding to the weekend was the final two races for the Super Comp and Super Street Associations series and for the BB/Funny Car Association series. For the spectators in the stands, they watched wheel standing cars, high powered race cars on small tires power down the track the action and diverse classes had to be a joy to watch. Throw in a jet powered dragster belching fire had many a cell phone out recording the run.

Images from all three days are now available in three albums located in the event folder. Click here to go to the photo album.

We are looking forward to number 33 next year and with the 264 entries this year and sure to be more for the next Fall Classic will make a great weekend of racing.

SATURDAY WINNERS
Super Comp – Dale Green
Super Street – Allen Macham
Street Machine – Curt Landis
Hot Rod – Rick Sales Sr.
Street Rod – James Heriford II
Inline/Flathead – Walt Skoczylas
Gasser – Ron McBee
E.T. Motorcycle – Don DePeel
Harley Eliminator – Henry Robinson
Jr Lightning – Conner Rice
Jr Thunder – Nicholas Karr
Jr Tuff – Rilynn Saucy

SUNDAY WINNERS
BB/Funny Car – Kim Parker
Pro Nostalgia – Kacee Pitts
Outlaw 10.5 – Paja Agatonovic
Super Pro – Gary Wargnier
Pro – Tony Price
Sportsman – Tony Bombara
ET Motorcycle – Kerry Drost
Super Comp – Greg Pessemier
Super Street – Jess Dale
Dragster/Roadsters – Paul Comeau
Super Shifter – Jamie Roth
Quick 8 – Gene Hegle
Pro Mod Motorcycle – Shawn Biehm
Jr Lightning – Ian Theofelis
Jr Thunder – Xzavier Heaton
Jr Tuff – Nicholas Karr

GM Nationals at Pacific Raceways

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16 Sept 2017 Kent, WA – Cast, stamped or badged if it says GM its fair game for the GM Nationals. Daily drivers to dragsters took part in Pacific Raceways season ending event.

Combining the drags with a car show brought some very fine stock and customized machinery that GM has produced over the years. You really could spend hours walking the rows in the car show area taking in what the owners have brought for you to take in and photograph.

Lots of great GM imagery is now available – check out the photo album by clicking here. As always thanks for all your support and purchases!!!!

Ending the day on the dragstrip broke away from the all GM as a very new Maserati up from California made a pass down the track as these winners picked up their trophies:

Electronics – Jim Mabry
Hot Rod – Greg Steen
Street Rod – Jennifer Benda
LS/LT – Ken Nylin
Money Run – Kevin Rennick

AM Skills, Novice HP & PM Lapping with ProFormance Racing School

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14 Sept 2017 Kent, WA – Becoming a better driver, no matter your age or gender is but a short drive to Pacific Raceways and the ProFormance Racing School located on the property. The school, instructed by Don Kitch has your butt on a stool as he explains what you will be going thru when you get behind the wheel and start the exercises.

New drivers are timid at first but after a few runs you grasp the idea of what this part of the school program wants to teach and you to learn. Catching on to what your car feels like when you do certain inputs to the steering wheel or brakes or both will show and teach you what to expect should you encounter it on the hi-ways and bi-ways.

Check out the ProFormance Racing School website for a date that fits and leave a better and more confident driver.

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