Tag Archives: #nitro

UNFC Funny Car Invitational Finals at Pacific Raceways

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07 July 2018 Kent, WA –  It was a packed line up on the schedule today with the rain-out qualifying scrubbing the first round, with at least three rows of haulers toting those funny cars somewhat harking back to the 64 funny car days of the past.

Northwest legends Bill Doner and Bucky Austin lead the way and their past connections with the funny car shows in mind they put together a program that those who witnessed those days and the “nitro” junkies of today totally enjoyed.

In between the funny cars the Swift Tool Series class racers enjoying a great sunny day of racing picking up points towards the E.T. Finals to be held Labor Day weekend in Boise. Round after round they went until the little bugger “Murphy” showed up and as we all know his monkey wrench has many sizes.

Working against the curfew, the scramble was on to get as many rounds in for the Swift racers and the UNFC finals completed.

When the time clock ran out these classes finished, Dawsin Ridge in Jr. Storm, Dustin Ridge in Jr. Thunder, Jordan “JoJo” Dooley in Jr. Lightning, Trenton smith in Jr. Street and the big winner and unbeaten this season in UNFC Bobby Cottrell left second but finished first over Jason Rupert.

The unfinished Swift racers will finish their race the next day.

Over 500 images, including great shots from the top end are now available – click here to go to the photo album.

UNFC Funny Car Invitational, Car Club & Jr Dragsters #8 at Pacific Raceways

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06 July 2018 Kent, WA – Making plans are always subject to change. Having a plan “B” or further depending on what may or may not happen. All things were set to go for Friday racing at Pacific Raceways for the 2nd Annual UNFC Funny Car Invitational with twice as many trying to qualify for the 8-car field. Along with all the car club and Jr’s set for their scheduled series race.

A dozen runs into the car club time trials mother nature as she is poured rain onto the parade sending all for cover. The heavy downpour left huge puddles and a completely soaked track, and with a curfew looming, a new plan was in the works.

Scrubbing the funny car qualifying purely for safety, and the car club shortened their race to 1/8th mile as apposed to the normal quarter racing for them and the Jr’s could safely be run after the great work by the drag crew prepping the track.

Top of the class goes to Ken O’Keefe in Car Club, Selena Lenihan in Jr. Lightning, Dustin Ridge in Jr. thunder, Abigail Cole in Jr. Storm and Trenton Smith in Jr. Street.

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

Goodguys 30th PNW Nationals Drag Racing

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28 July 2017 Kent, WA – Each year towards the end of July the GOOD-GUYS Rod & Custom Association comes to the northwest, packing the Washington State Fair Events Center with an indoor car show with many more outside on the property. Early hot rods of all kinds from an era that produced many of the modern components that are in use today. What is old is new and what is new can be old and car owners show this in car shows and at the Friday Night Drags at Pacific Raceways.

The cars are divided into just five classes depending on the year and or elapsed time. Throw in a few exhibition cars and you have the making of a great time at the track. When announced mark on your date book and check it out then take in the weekend at the fairgrounds.

Lots of great nostalgia drag racing images are now available – click here to go to the photo album.

WINNERS
Hot Rod 1 – Greg Kent
Hot Rod 2 – Dan Bennett
Comp – Norm Braedt

EXHIBITION WINNERS
Funny Car – Bobby Cottrell
Fuel Alt – Bryan Hall
Pro Mod – Garrett Richards

Swift Tools ET Series #9, United Nitro Funny Cars Part of Busy Day at Pacific Raceways

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08 July 2017 Kent, WA – The Saturday marked for the 8th of July arrived, and along with the normal Super Saturdays line up the United Nitro Funny Car group came ready to play. Shooting for the top eight spots in these old school race cars made for a great show.

When counting the qualifying rounds these cars made a bunch of passes giving all those watching quite a show. Those around for the old 64 funny car days remember what these race dates are all about.

These ground pounders always get the people running to their seats to take in the action. Fitted with current safety equipment is really the only difference from their past days on the track. Legendary promoter Bill Doner who brought the 64 funny car events to then Seattle International Raceway now does it again to the original named Pacific Raceways.

With the aid of local racer Bucky Austin they put together a summertime event that has not been to the track in many years. The aroma and sounds of nitro at a non-national event gets you a tad bit closer to the action, besides its “old school” racing from the hay day of these funny cars. I have no clue as to another event next year but me and the thousands that came out for the event sure hope so as it is a great fit to the “Super Saturday” dates that are on Pacific’s schedule thru out the season.

LIST OF WINNERS

Funny Car – Bobby Cottrell
Top Comp – Kevin Heffington
Super Gas – Lloyd Flatum
Stock – James Boyce
Sportsman – Paul Young
Motorcycle – John Plaster
High School – Jeff Jackson Jr.

Lots of great images are now available – Old School Nitro Funny Cars too. Got to check out this week’s images! – Click here to go to the photo album.