Pacific Raceways

Pacific Raceways

Layout of Pacific Raceways (2002–present)
LocationLake Morton-Berrydale, Washington, near Kent, Washington, United States of America
Coordinates47°19′12.2″N 122°8′42.6″W / 47.320056°N 122.145167°W / 47.320056; -122.145167
Broke ground1959
Opened1960
Former namesSeattle International Raceways (1969–2001)
Pacific Raceways (1960–1968)
Major eventsCurrent:
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series
Former:
AMA Superbike Championship (1981–1983, 1985)
Trans-Am Series (1967–1970, 1975, 1977, 1982–1984)
USAC IndyCar (1969)
Full Circuit (2002–present)
SurfaceAsphalt and concrete
Length2.250 miles (3.621 km)
Turns10
Original Circuit (1960–2001)
SurfaceAsphalt and concrete
Length2.250 miles (3.621 km)
Turns9
Race lap record1:14.100 (United States Dan Gurney, Eagle 69, 1969, USAC IndyCar)

Pacific Raceways is a mixed-use road racing and drag racing facility near Kent, Washington. The race track was constructed in 1959 and opened in 1960. The track was originally named Kent Pacific Raceways, then became known as Seattle International Raceways in 1969.[1] After the landowner regained control of the track in 2002, the name reverted to Pacific Raceways.[2][3]

A Porsche participating in a June 2005 BMW club track day
Panoz GTS on the straight, 2007

Pacific Raceways features a 2.250 mi (3.621 km) road course which is used by the SCCA,[4] Society of Vintage Racing Enthusiasts (SOVREN), and ICSCC for automobile road racing. The Washington Motorcycle Road Racing Association (WMRRA) uses the course for motorcycle road racing.[5] The course has more than 125 feet (38 m) of elevation change and a naturally wooded back section.

The track hosted two NASCAR Winston West Series between 1984 and 1985, won by Jim Bown and Dale Earnhardt respectively and also hosted a NASCAR Northwest Series race in 2003, won by Jeff Jefferson.

Pacific Raceways hosts a performance driving school which offers several curricula, including sanctioned race licensing courses, performance driving, lapping clinics, and specialty driving instruction.[6]

The facility also features a dragstrip, which hosts the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Northwest Nationals and regional races, plus a dirt motocross track.[7][8]

Since 1988, Pacific Raceways has been home to the Northwest Nationals (originally known as the Seafair Nationals[9]) of the NHRA Drag Racing Series.[10]

The track played an important role during the heyday of professional sports car racing in the U.S. during the 1960s. From 1963 through 1968, Pacific Raceways hosted the Pacific Northwest Grand Prix, which was a round of the United States Road Racing Championship. From 1967 through 1970, the venue hosted an annual round of the SCCA Trans-Am Series, including the season finales in 1967 and 1968.[11] The Trans-Am Series returned to the track in 1975, 1977, and 1982 through 1984. The SCCA Continental Championship for Formula 5000 cars visited the track from 1969 through 1971, and again in 1973.

The track hosted a two heat race weekend of the USAC Championship Car series in 1969. The first heat was won by Mario Andretti and the second was won by Al Unser.[12]

Among the other champion drivers who have visited victory lane at Pacific Raceways are Mark Donohue, Brian Redman, David Hobbs, Ronnie Bucknum, Peter Gregg, Tony Adamowicz, Parnelli Jones, Elliott Forbes-Robinson, Pedro Rodriguez, Dave MacDonald, Ken Miles, Jim Hall and Jerry Titus.

  1. ^ Sports Car Club of America (7 September 1969). "1969 SCCA Trans-Am Season Results" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-03-28. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  2. ^ Susan Wade. "Exit Interview: Seattle's Jim Rockstad". DragRacingOnline.com. Archived from the original on 15 February 2011. Retrieved 17 September 2010.
  3. ^ "Drag Strip". pacificraceways.com. Pacific Raceways. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  4. ^ Kelley, Arthur (9 December 1962). "S.C.C.A. Establishes New Racing Program". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  5. ^ Washington Motorocycle Road Racing Association. "Washington's Road Race Tracks". Archived from the original on 23 September 2010. Retrieved 17 September 2010.
  6. ^ Jerry Smith. "Pacific Raceways Transforms Itself". PartsAndPeople.com. Archived from the original on 4 January 2011. Retrieved 17 September 2010.
  7. ^ NHRA. "NHRA Member Tracks". Retrieved 17 September 2010.
  8. ^ NHRA. "NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing 2011 Schedule". Archived from the original on 30 August 2010. Retrieved 17 September 2010.
  9. ^ "1988 NHRA Seafair Nationals". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  10. ^ "NHRA MELLOW YELLOW DRAG RACING SERIES SCHEDULE". www.nhra.com. NHRA. Archived from the original on 5 August 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  11. ^ "Trans-Am - Championships - Racing Sports Cars". www.racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 2017-07-16.
  12. ^ ChampCarStats. "Seattle International Raceway". Retrieved 17 September 2010.