Hey all,

Anyone go to the Pacific Raceways Track in Kent, WA? I know there are a few other tracks in the region but have only been to the Pacific Raceways one. If anyone wants to go check it out sometime or visit any of the other tracks (like Ridgeway for instance) I'm down!

johnnymo

 

I've run Pacific several times (4?) in the past. I understand they have made improvements on the back turns since then, giving a better passing zone. Doing a power drift coming off turn 6 was always a hoot, but then the dog-leg of turn one with an invisible approach to turn 2 was cool too. Blind faith of you picking your apex correctly while standing hard on the throttle is a thrill to be experienced!

I've been told I have to drive The Ridge. Its suppose to be an excellent track.
Sadly, I doubt my XKR will ever see a track. The combination of purchasing a certified helmet, track insurance, plus track fees kicks the cost over $600. Too steep a cost for me... Not to mention I'd want a five point harness installed to make it truly fun... (sigh)


Would be cool to see others here interested in joining you! (fingers crossed)


Vince

 

Sounds like we all need to go buy Miatas! I'm deathly afraid of tracking my car

 

Seconded. I just got mine running reliably again; I'd hate to take it around a stiff corner.

 

https://www.kitsapsun.com/story/spor...way/714469002/

 

https://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news...04af2414a98f90

 

I just thought those were interesting stories and minimally relevant to the thread.

 

Yeah, one of my clubs (Bremerton Sports Car Club) has been pushing for this for well over 20 years now. Ever since they shut down the SW portion of the industrial park near the airport. There is lots of open land that is technically contaminated, so no housing will ever be erected there. Seems a waste not to use it...

There have been two other tries here in Kitsap so far. one up just north of Poulsbo, and the other at the industrial park, but owned by NASCAR.

Obviously no one wanted a NASCAR track here (makes no financial sense for a race agency with rules forbidding racing in the rain), and having a national agency owning it would make it near impossible for the smaller clubs to afford its use.

I think 'The Ridge' over in Shelton has opened some eyes showing a need.
We still have 8 or more car clubs fighting for track days at Bremerton Raceway/airport, and more wishing they could get in as well...

 

Just saw this... know its an old thread.
I used to autocross a lot and did some track days. If you're careful you'll have no issues but I understand the concern. I did take my jag to the corvette/viper autocross in Shelton last month, my 2007 XKR was about the oldest car their but had a great time getting waxed by ten seconds plus.
That all said the season is basically over now. I'm in Olympia but would meet up at a kart track if there were interest. Or maybe we could do an event at the ridge before November?

 

I would have thought the Jag would corner much better than the vettes.

 

Yer funny!

Maybe a C3 and earlier!

 

I used to run a 97 c5 corvette. The xkr with good tires would be very close. There were at least six car trailers and all the corvettes were the current Gen and z06 or better. Ten seconds wasn't too bad for the old girl.
I plan to do the Trans and diff fluids before next march and running it hard again.

 

I'm sure we could hold our heads up and possibly take a C4, but certainly not a C5.
Vette against Jag is kinda an apples vs oranges comparison when talking 'track' events. We were never meant to compete in that arena, where the Vette was.

A C4 may be under powered, but it still has a respectable power to weight ratio thanks to it being lighter than an XK by several hundred pounds. Plus, the Vette has a serious advantage in weight distribution X150 owners can only dream about. Considering the C4 it was built 23 years before the X150 and can still be considered track competitive against us is saying a lot.

IMHO, The C5 would be untouchable. Chevy got really serious with the C5, adding another 100+hp while trimming even more weight off the chassis. All that with combined with perfect weight distribution brought the Z06 down to and below the 8 minute mark at Nürburgring. Even the XKR-S has not achieved that.

V