700HP+

If the weather is nice I'll be on the track for April 14 in Portland.

Josh67

PIR was so much fun I signed up for The Ridge in May! Anybody else coming to play?

ExRedRacer

I'll be there August 10...

deepcj7

Ill be there in May

four0nefive

The track day at the Ridge last week was great. Weather wasn't as great as It could've been, but luckily the weather is getting better by the week.

Looking forward to the track day this Friday at Pacific Raceways. Anyone signed up for it?

four0nefive

Update:
There was a track day added at Pacific Raceways for July 5th. I've also crossed out the track days that have already happened.

four0nefive

Bumping this thread since I noticed a few people signed up for the track day this Thursday at the Ridge (August 10th).

For those going, its going to be 90 degrees. Here's a few things I would be sure to bring:

• Frozen water bottles (3-4), they'll thaw pretty quickly, but I would still throw them in a small cooler
• Folding chair (lawn chair), it's better than standing in the pits for 40 minutes at a time. Also an umbrella is probably a good idea too. Throw it in one of the water bottle holders and you'll have shade.
• Snacks: the Ridge has a snack bar, but I'm not sure it'll be open (it was last time), but just in case.

Other misc tips for track days at the Ridge:

• Depending on where you live, try to leave by 12 or 12:15 at the latest. Traffic gets really bad around Tacoma and this will give you a good bit of time to stop in Olympia or Shelton for lunch.
• This one is more general, but bring your tech sheet filled out. It's much quicker and you'll be done with check in about 5 times quicker.

last901

Good comment, Pat. Pacific Raceways (nee Seattle International Raceway) is a neglected treasure. Much as the annual Hydroplane races during Seafair have become. Im sure the developers and the local residents would love nothing better than to build houses. So many famous venues, like Riverside and Ontario have given way to the rising value of properties and it appears Laguna Seca may be on the short list of those left to go.

Many famous events and drivers have been held at the facility since it opened in 1959/1960. Carroll Shelby, Sir Stirling Moss, Graham Hill, Bruce McLaren, Jim Hall, Mark Donohue, Pete Lovely and others have raced there. At one time or another the track hosted the US Road Racing Championships (forerunner to the CanAm) Trans Am, Formula 5000 and a lotof SCCA events when the "factories" would bring out their teams, like Porsche, BMC, Jaguar... It was in its prime a part of the so-called "Fall Series" of races that were held on the west coast in concert with Laguna Seca and Riverside. There was even an Indy Car Event, the "Dan Gurney 200" back in the day. Wonderful vent, but not to be repeated.

Not to forget the Drag Races, which survive today, though I have reason to believe it's not the favorite venue of the NHRA, but with Portland closing down Drag Racing, it's all the NHRA has as a foothold in the Northwest.

I believe the property has long been owned by the Fiorito family, and while they appear to have fended off the developers for now, I can't help but wonder how much longer they can overlook the value of the property. Certainly, they don't appear to have done much to improve the place other than to build more seating.

My point being is that we're not likely IMHO to see a return to the glory days. Frankly, like with the Hydroplane Races, not so many people care. For one thing the local infrastructure in terms of hotels and other accommodations have never stepped up to supporting the track anyway.

So, I guess at least for our own purposes, The Ridge is about all we have for things like track days and thank goodness for that.

Anyone intersted in the history of the racing in the Northwest, including Westwood, Portland, and Shelton would enjoy Martin Rudow's wonderful two volume set of books. Weekends of Glory and Long Strasihs and Hairpin Turns.

ExRedRacer

I took this off of the SCCA email they sent this afternoon. Thanks for taking it...see you in Kent on the 30th!

four0nefive

Oh awesome!

Here's the other one I was going to post.