Pacific Raceways
Encyclopedia
Pacific Raceways is a mixed-use road racing facility near Kent, Washington
. The race track
was constructed in 1959 and opened in 1960. The track was originally named Pacific Raceways, then became known as Seattle International Raceways in 1976. After the landowner regained control of the track in 2002, the name was reverted to Pacific Raceways.
Pacific Raceways features a 2.25 miles (3.6 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 (38.1 m) of elevation change and a beautiful naturally wooded back section.
The track 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 drag strip
which is used by local organizations and the NHRA for both regional and national-level races, plus a dirt motocross
track.
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
.
Kent, Washington
Kent is a city located in King County, Washington, United States, and is the third largest city in King County and the sixth largest in the state. An outlying suburb of Seattle, Kent is also the corporate home for companies such as REI and Oberto Sausage...
. The race track
Race track
A race track is a purpose-built facility for racing of animals , automobiles, motorcycles or athletes. A race track may also feature grandstands or concourses. Some motorsport tracks are called speedways.A racetrack is a permanent facility or building...
was constructed in 1959 and opened in 1960. The track was originally named Pacific Raceways, then became known as Seattle International Raceways in 1976. After the landowner regained control of the track in 2002, the name was reverted to Pacific Raceways.
Pacific Raceways features a 2.25 miles (3.6 km) road course which is used by the SCCA, Society of Vintage Racing Enthusiasts (SOVREN), and ICSCC
ICSCC
Founded in 1957, the International Conference of Sports Car Clubs is the largest sports car racing sanctioning body in the Pacific Northwest of the United States....
for automobile road racing
Road racing
Road racing is a general term for most forms of motor racing held on paved, purpose-built race tracks , as opposed to oval tracks and off-road racing...
. The Washington Motorcycle Road Racing Association (WMRRA) uses the course for motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
road racing. The course has more than 125 feet (38.1 m) of elevation change and a beautiful naturally wooded back section.
The track 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 drag strip
Drag strip
Drag strip may refer to:*Dragstrip, track used for drag racing*Drag Strip , Transformer character who is one of the Stunticons*Videocart-9: Drag Strip, drag racing videogame released in 1976-See also:*Dover Drag Strip...
which is used by local organizations and the NHRA for both regional and national-level races, plus a dirt motocross
Motocross
Motocross is a form of motorcycle sport or all-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed off road circuits. It evolved from trials, and was called scrambles, and later motocross, combining the French moto with cross-country...
track.
The track hosted a two heat race weekend of the USAC Championship Car series in 1969. The first heat was won by Mario Andretti
Mario Andretti
Mario Gabriele Andretti is a retired Italian American world champion racing driver, one of the most successful Americans in the history of the sport. He is one of only two drivers to win races in Formula One, IndyCar, World Sportscar Championship and NASCAR...
and the second was won by Al Unser
Al Unser
Alfred "Al" Unser is a former American automobile racing driver, the younger brother of fellow racing drivers Jerry and Bobby Unser, and father of Al Unser, Jr....
.