Road course race

[Hatchdog]

Today Mrs hatchdog and I are going to our local racetrack located west of Spokane. It’s a drag strip, half mile oval and a 2.3 mile road course. Our neighbor who is a big motorsports guy is racing on the road course today. He’s part of a vintage car group that races across the northwest. His car is an early 70’s Porsche 914-6. The -6 indicates it has a six cylinder motor which is very rare in the 914. Of course it’s a total race motor and car so much more than a non race 914-6.

Here’s his car with his wife riding along. He keeps bugging me to do a ride along but after seeing the damage to the car and his head when he had a bad crash a couple of years ago I’m not going to do it. Plus Mrs hatchdog would not be happy with me if something were to happen. . He’s still having trouble with some head issues.

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[Vaquero]

Enjoy the day.

RP

[DsGrouse]

I had a buddy who blew his e-30 m3 motor on that course, circa 2000ish. A little more than 20 years later he blew his gt3 rs motor

[Sir Henry]

I’m not familiar with that track. I remember the old drag strip in Deer Park and the oval at the fairgrounds where Tom Sneva got his start.

[Hatchdog]

“ Re: Road course race
Post by Sir Henry » Sat Jun 06, 2026 10:20 am

I’m not familiar with that track. I remember the old drag strip in Deer Park and the oval at the fairgrounds where Tom Sneva got his start.”


This track was built by Orville Moe in the 70’s. Originally it was called Spokane Raceway Park but now is owned by the Kalispel Indian Tribe. The tribe bought the track from Spokane County who bought out Moe. When the track first opened they ran Friday night local drags and entry was .25 and a Pepsi bottle cap. We would bring in our own beer in a cooler (way underage) and nobody cared. Moe went on to host the Summer Nationals drawing in the big names like John Force and Big Daddy. Saw Shirley Muldowny (sp?) run there too.

I used to go the Fairgrounds raceway too and watched Tom Sneva and his brothers Jan and Babe run there. I never made it to the Deer Park strip but they are again today running drags. I think it’s only an 1/8 track but I’m not sure. I can hear the cars from my house and the races are done pretty quickly making me think the 1/8 mile.

[Hatchdog]

“ Re: Road course race
Post by Sir Henry » Sat Jun 06, 2026 10:20 am

I’m not familiar with that track. I remember the old drag strip in Deer Park and the oval at the fairgrounds where Tom Sneva got his start.”


This track was built by Orville Moe in the 70’s. Originally it was called Spokane Raceway Park but now is owned by the Kalispel Indian Tribe. The tribe bought the track from Spokane County who bought out Moe. When the track first opened they ran Friday night local drags and entry was .25 and a Pepsi bottle cap. We would bring in our own beer in a cooler (way underage) and nobody cared. Moe went on to host the AHRA World Finals drawing in the big names like John Force and Big Daddy. Saw Shirley Muldowny (sp?) run there too.

I used to go the Fairgrounds raceway too and watched Tom Sneva and his brothers Jan and Babe run there. I never made it to the Deer Park strip but they are again today running drags. I think it’s only an 1/8 track but I’m not sure. I can hear the cars from my house and the races are done pretty quickly making me think the 1/8 mile.

I found this you tube video of a local sports guy who did a report on the 1981 World Finals with Cha Cha Muldowney and Don “the snake” Purdonne.



https://youtu.be/VnYoJxIClYA?si=EOpWvAHZeIXEUzvz

[daytime dave]

Very interesting. Cool Porsche. I hope you both enjoy it.

[Hatchdog]

We had a great time watching the race. Matt won the first race but said that the fastest car broke. That car is the little orange Datsun in this pic. They were able to repair the car. This is the race we watched and he was right. That little orange grocery getter won the race and had to pass Matt and one other car to do so. Matt said he couldn’t get traction and spun his car twice. Still a fun day.

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[DsGrouse]

“ Re: Road course race
Post by Sir Henry » Sat Jun 06, 2026 10:20 am

I’m not familiar with that track. I remember the old drag strip in Deer Park and the oval at the fairgrounds where Tom Sneva got his start.”


This track was built by Orville Moe in the 70’s. Originally it was called Spokane Raceway Park but now is owned by the Kalispel Indian Tribe. The tribe bought the track from Spokane County who bought out Moe. When the track first opened they ran Friday night local drags and entry was .25 and a Pepsi bottle cap. We would bring in our own beer in a cooler (way underage) and nobody cared. Moe went on to host the AHRA World Finals drawing in the big names like John Force and Big Daddy. Saw Shirley Muldowny (sp?) run there too.

I used to go the Fairgrounds raceway too and watched Tom Sneva and his brothers Jan and Babe run there. I never made it to the Deer Park strip but they are again today running drags. I think it’s only an 1/8 track but I’m not sure. I can hear the cars from my house and the races are done pretty quickly making me think the 1/8 mile.

I found this you tube video of a local sports guy who did a report on the 1981 World Finals with Cha Cha Muldowney and Don “the snake” Purdonne.



https://youtu.be/VnYoJxIClYA?si=EOpWvAHZeIXEUzvz

I am alost positive i was there. I was there one year when they were both there. Somewhere i have photos. I will check

[fortyshooter]

Nothing like some classic road racing! Any early Shelby Mustangs running that day? Back in 2009 I went to a Shelby racing show/event at VIR raceway and got my 2001 Mustang Bullitt out on the course for some FUN laps. There were some Cobra roadsters and a 1969 Boss 302 that was an old Trans Am race car. You were supposed to keep the speed at 60 MPH but that Cobra and T/A Mustang didn't hear about it so I was behind them having a ball! Only time I got to really enjoy the suspension and braking upgrades of the 2001 Bullitt!

[Hatchdog]

No Shelby’s but there were two fast back late 60’s in the field of the big bore cars. Also a Camaro and a Vette. A fun class with the US made big bore’s rumbling down the track. My neighbor’s Porsche is in the mid bore class and while impressive it’s just not the same to this baby boomer who grew up on V8’s.


https://sovrenracing.org/wp-content/upl ... Krohn.jpeg

[Sir Henry]

No Shelby’s but there were two fast back late 60’s in the field of the big bore cars. Also a Camaro and a Vette. A fun class with the US made big bore’s rumbling down the track. My neighbor’s Porsche is in the mid bore class and while impressive it’s just not the same to this baby boomer who grew up on V8’s.


https://sovrenracing.org/wp-content/upl ... Krohn.jpeg

Car porn.