For those who don't know, this Saturday is the 30th running of the Portland "8-hours of the Cascades" Endurance race at Portland International Raceway. This is a really cool and loooooong race, featuring both highly polished professional teams and local yolkls. Lots of rotary powered cars as well!

The actual race starts at Noon and runs until 8 PM, so you get daytime, twilight and night racing all in one package. Every group runs simultaneously, so lots and lots and lots of passing. Also a lot of pitstops, so you get to see the Good, Bad and Ugly when it comes to changing tires and refueling.

Interesting facts: This is the last race in the world to feature a true Le Mans start, where the drivers have to run across the pit lane, jump into their cars, strap in and take off as fast as possible. Even Le Mans stopped doing it this way back in the '60s, for safety concerns. The only concession are that drivers must be totally belted-in before they take off and that they cannot exceed the pit lane speed limit. Still, it is not uncommon to have some cars move up a dozen spots or more -- or fall into last place -- depending on their quickness in getting behind the wheel. This is also the third oldest continually running endurance race in the country, behind only the Daytona 24 Hour and Sebring 12 Hour.

I do not believe there is any cost to attend. I think even the parking is free. I usually crew for my Grand Am Cup team (yellow E36 BMW M3...usually No. 71), but my bad back is sidelining me for this race, so you might see me hanging out in the paddock taking photos.

 

You guys missed a good race. Great weather all day. My team (#16 Yellow BMW M3) came in 3rd overall and 3rd in class (P1). The 3rd place prize money paid for the bar tab after the race. I think some irregularities with Timing & Scoring cost us second place, but overall we were quite happy with the outcome.