Pacific Raceways July 4th preview

Kent, Wash. (June 30, 2003) -- Two-hundred-fifty competitors including the Historic Trans-Am Racing Group assemble for the Phil Smart Mercedes Benz 15th Annual Pacific Northwest Historics Vintage Races, July 4th to July 6th, on Pacific Raceways 2.25-mile road course in Kent, Wash.

Vintage race cars are an important part of our automotive heritage. Just the sight of these wonderful machines seems to tell the story of an era gone by, and evoke memories of the past. It is no wonder that vintage auto racing is the fastest growing form of motorsports in our country today.

Many vintage race cars are very rare and have already proven their status in the racing arena. Now the driver/owners are having fun, and living out their dream.

In 1990, the Historics event became a fund raiser for Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle, when 68 cars participated and raised $7,500.

The 2002 event drew more than 255 entrants. Funds raised exceeded $530,000 for Children's Hospital.

The Pacific Northwest Historics Race attracts a large number of participants and spectators for what is the largest Vintage Race in the Northwest. Racers and fans from around the world converge at the Pacific Raceways in Kent, Wash., to view exciting cars and visit with friends and fans sharing the same passion.

The race is attended by great drivers and fabricators. Previous automotive celebrities have included Dan Gurney, Danny Sullivan, Mauricio Gugelmein, David Donohue, Jim Hall, Phil Hill, Pete Brock, Bobby Rahal, Jerry Grant, Max Balcowski, Pete Lovely, Chip Hanauer, and many others.

This year guest celebrity Parnelli Jones, 1963 Indy 500 winner and first driver to qualify above 150 mph will be in attendance. Parnelli raced at Indy seven times and led in five of those races. Parnelli was a dominant force in USAC, and the personification of competitive spirit. Jones won races in all four USAC divisions and won championships in two (Sprint and Stock Car Racing).

Successful in road racing Parnelli won the 1970 Trans-Am championship driving a Ford Mustang. Parnelli applied his competitive spirit competing in off-road racing winning the grueling and treacherous Baja 500 five times and the Baja 1,000 three times. He is an honored member of the Motorsports Hall of Fame.

This year the legendary Dick Guldstrand will be in attendance. Dick won three Pacific Coast Championships from 1963-1965 and received the California Sports Car Club driver of the year award in 1964. In 1966, Dick won the GT Class at the Daytona 24 hour race. He raced LeMans in 1967, setting a track record in the GT Class.

This year's pace car driver will be Domenic Dobson, the former Indy Car (CART) driver, and part owner of PacWest Racing.

Vintage racing offers many features that make auto racing so popular-- speed, competition, excitement, and noise. In vintage racing, there are no monetary prizes, and the cars do not all look nearly identical like most of today's race cars.

Vintage racing fans have the unique opportunity to roam the pits and get a true feel for the sport. The paddock is open to all spectators. Most owners, who usually are the driver/mechanic, relish the opportunity to share their enthusiasm for vintage racing as well as their knowledge of the cars and their history.

In SOVREN, annual championships are awarded each year in the vintage and historic categories. The results are not based on finishing positions, but rather reliability and participation. Ten points are awarded for entering an event and one point is given for each lap completed in the race.

The Pacific Northwest Historics is the premier vintage car race in the Northwest.

Weekend Schedule
Friday: Practice Begins at 9:00 a.m. - Qualifying begins at 1:00 p.m.
Saturday: Practice Begins at 9:00 a.m. - Race #1 Begins at 1:00 p.m.
Sunday: Practice begins at 9:00 a.m. - Race #2 begins at 1:00 p.m.

TICKET PRICES for July 4-6 Event Only:

Adults: $20 one day pass Friday, Saturday or Sunday, $35 multiple day pass
Children age 7 - 16: $5 per day
Children 6 years and under are free.
Friday - practice, all groups
Saturday & Sunday - practice and racing

Tickets are available at the gate during race weekend. Gates open at 8:30 a.m.

-pr-