Pacific Raceways (Redirected from Seattle International Raceway)

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. After the landowner regained control of the track in 2002, the name reverted to Pacific Raceways.

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, 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. 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.

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.

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

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. 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.

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.

Lap records

The fastest official race lap records at Pacific Raceways (formerly known as Seattle International Raceways) are listed as:

Category Time Driver Vehicle Date
Original Course: 3.620 km (1960–2001)
USAC IndyCar 1:14.100 Dan Gurney Eagle 69 1969 Dan Gurney 200
Formula 5000 1:15.310 Brian Redman Lola T330 1973 Seattle F5000 round
Trans-Am Series 1:22.890 Willy T. Ribbs Mercury Capri 1984 Seattle Trans-Am round

See also

  • Jerry Ruth, NHRA world champion who frequently raced at Pacific Raceways

This page was last updated at 2024-02-27 08:57 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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