It was there that I got my first taste of the GFCP. No I wasn't spectating, well kinda, no I wasn't on track, but I was on the skid pad.

I guess it was spring of 96 that I attended my first AUTOX there on the skid pad of PIR. I was pumped, I thought I could drive oh how I would learn.

While we were on the skid pad there was a "track event" going on. Who was running it, I have no idea. All I remember about that day was looping the car in the saloom and just watching the street cars fly down the front straight.

I was with Tom from PACWest Automotive in Salem and another friend Ryan and his girl Susan.

It was a beautiful day out....

I wanted to quit AUTOX'ing and put my car on track.

At the time I was told you needed a cage, extingusher etc. If only I knew then what I knew now....

Man did I want to drive the "BIG TRACK!" No more of this 28 seconds at a time I wanted the real deal.....but that never happened at PIR.

That GFCP day came almost 5 years later. I had almost forgotten that I said I would someday be on "THE BIG TRACK." I got my first taste at VIR, and what a flavor it was. How could you not be HOOKED after 1 lap at VIR?

I've come a long way in the last 3 years. I've driven most of the tracks on the eastside and a few on the west coast, Laguna taking the cake on the west coast.

Every year I try and add 2 new tracks to my list of "to be completed." This year it was Road Atlanta and will be Mid Ohio. In addition to those that were on the list I was able to do Nashville Motor speedway.

I can't say that I've driven a bad track. They have all been good and they all have their own mystique to them.

The memories of my time on track and the time off track with friends are memories everyone should share. So many faces and names. So much comroddery.

Some day I will get back to "THE BIG TRACK" over at Portland, after all I have friends not but 5 miles away....it would be a good vacation.

Just some nostalgia for me....sorry if it wasn't what you were looking for....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by chad &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The memories of my time on track and the time off track with friends are memories everyone should share. So many faces and names. So much comroddery.</TD></TR></TABLE>

chad getting all emotional?

Actually, ever since i've been on track (hpde or racing), chad has been there helping out! I couldn't have asked for a better mentor! He came to my first track event (SCCA Solo I, Time Trial) to show me the ropes! I'm sure he had better things to do (actually, naw, not chad, haha) but he still came out to help me!


PHIL SUCKS!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hunter &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

PHIL SUCKS! </TD></TR></TABLE>

more memories....ROFLMSAO!!

 

The NW club racers will be there at the end of august.. you should come watch us play.

The ITA competition in the NW is really heating up.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rice_classic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
The ITA competition in the NW is really heating up. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Rice Classic, I was talking to one of your competitors this week who mentioned this new kid with the ex-ARRC winning car really turning some heads and getting the attention of the local ITA regulars. Good for you!

 

Chad,
If and when you get the opportunity to drive Portland, you won't be dissapointed.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by johng &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Chad,
If and when you get the opportunity to drive Portland, you won't be dissapointed. </TD></TR></TABLE>

AFter talking with a few racers I have infered that Portland is a fun track until you learn it, then it's boring.. I think this might be due to it's lack of technical difficulty and little to no elevation changes.

 

Well... one year your list will have to be Portland and Seattle (Pacific Raceways)... the two tracks are only 3 hours apart.

Nash

 

I did SCCA schools and most of my novice year at Portland - pre-chicane - and while it doesn't capture my imagination it IS a good place to actually RACE. The current turn 10 (old 7) is one of the most entertaining corners that I've run, however - even if it looks like they have shaved off some of the curb height.

K

 

I can't wait to drive Portland...

Love the track

Love the city

Love how the city takes such pride in it's track.

(Colin's car is fast)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jisu009 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I can't wait to drive Portland...

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Portland racing is awesome. It may not be as technical as some other tracks, but IMO it's a great track to duel door-to-door. It requires strategy and thinking to be fast and get around people - especially with 50 car (Grp 2 or 5) fields.