My last 2 times at Seattle, I-18 East backs up like a ***** on Sat/Sun. I just went to the next exit, got off and came back West and beat a Ton of Traffic!

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Shift for Brains!!!!

For my first trip to Seattle last year, I took Kris' excellent directions (Kent-Kangley/Canyon Drive, etc.) and enjoyed a very pleasant, traffic-free trip to and from Pacific Raceways. This route also has the huge benefit of a Safeway/Starbucks about 10 minutes from the track - perfect to pick up a last-minute sandwich, water, and iced latte.

Assuming that the idiots in the Passport Office get their stuff together, I'm looking forward to this year's race too. I stayed (and am booked again) at the ExtendedStayAmerica in Kent. It's a very basic hotel but has a kitchenette (read: BEER FRIDGE and MICROWAVE for POPCORN!) for about $70. Crappy area but it's close to 167 and not that far away from some of the good restaurants (I love Chang's).

Hope to see you all in July!

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“One day when I was walking through the pits,” Millican said, “Evan said he wanted to talk to me. ‘Do you know how many millions (of dollars) I’ve spent to beat you?’ he said. ‘Since I couldn’t beat you, I’m going to own you.’ "

Rush is playing on Friday night at the near by ampatheater! Also, we are going to be up there doing a diplay on that Thursday for Royal Purple at the NAPA store across the street from ikea near Renton and possibly on the Midway during the race. We're still working on that.

Looking forward to meeting some of you here at the Seattle race.

IF any of you are on vacation and can stay around a week the annual Seafair unlimited hydroplane race is going to be held on Lake Washington the next weekend. If you have never seen the big boats running at 200 mph on water its quite something, plus the eye candy on the beach and log boom is rather nice as well.

As far as getting to the track I go up hwy 18 go past the track exit to the next exit turn around going south on 18 and drive right in .....

Carl

P.S. we should meet up Sat evening for some cocktails on the waterfront someplace...

Carl, we went in the same way as you last year and it actually was surprisingly fast (considering I sat in that awful line three years ago and would rather step in front of a semi that do that again). Not sure which days we're going this year, but I would definitely recommend getting there as early as humanly possible...but that's always my plan, no matter the day or location.

Cat

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Zachary George is here!!!

Thanks all for the tips, and directions. Last time I was in the area was in 68 or 69 so I really don't remember anything but the Space needle. Thanks for the heads up on the weather too, it's going to be pushing 104 here today so water and sun block is standard equipment here glad I now know we will need it there too. We will most likely be staying in Kent and then taking our sweet time getting back to Vegas so we have some time to check out the area. I will definitely take you up on the directions once we finalize where we will be staying.

Thanks Maters!


Dan

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yernuts@helloworld.com
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Yeah, I was miserable for a few hours that day. I thought for sure I'd been drinking plenty of fluids so when I started feeling sick I thought I'd overdone it and actually drank too much water. Turns out it wasn't nearly enough.

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"I got a fever, and the only prescription... is more cowbell!"

Buell's and Hardley's suck!

I can only hope the weather won't be as wicked hot as last year. I felt like I was in Vegas not Seattle. Blech. A/C window unit is going into the house in a couple weeks for this summer. Hopefully next summer we'll be able to afford central air for those handful of nasty hot days here.

But, today, as predicted, it is pouring down rain. We went from upper 80s and sunny to low 70s and thunderstorms yesterday evening in about an hour. Today it's in the mid-60s (I'm back in the office in Kent) and it was pouring down rain again. It'll probably be like this for the next month.

And who knows how it will be race weekend here. Just have to wait and see.

It's always a good time. And being my home track where I saw my first race, Pacific Raceways has a special place in my nitro-lovin' heart.

I'll be happy to provide anyone coming to the area guidance. Shoot me a PM.

Geez, don`t start jinxing the weather already Kris, I`ve been going to the Seattle race every year since `97 and only once did it rain out on Sunday (2002 race was called after first round of Pros...it finished up on Mon). The weather will be fine, if it was any other month but July, then I`d be a little worried.

Heh, Chris, don't worry. Funny, in 2002 I was still in Vegas...

Anyway, having grown up here and lived a good bit of my nearly 29 years here, I can say with certainty that summer starts here on July 5 and by the third weekend in July it's in full swing. Last time we had a dreary summer was 1993 between my freshman and sophomore years of high school.

June is like this. It's cold and wet. No worries. The weather shall certainly right itself by race weekend. I promise or else the first round is on me.

Sounds good Rich - I think that's really close to where I'm staying (north Kent near the 167). Is this the Ikea you're talking about? Sounds like it's really close and easy to get to - I'll drop in on my way in from the airport.

Really about the Rush concert? What nearby ampitheatre is that? I wonder if we'll see Wilber from team CSK there.

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“One day when I was walking through the pits,” Millican said, “Evan said he wanted to talk to me. ‘Do you know how many millions (of dollars) I’ve spent to beat you?’ he said. ‘Since I couldn’t beat you, I’m going to own you.’ "

The White River Ampitheater in Auburn, about a 15-20 minute drive from Pacific Raceways. Show starts at 8.

If you want to experience "REAL Seattle area traffic", go to the White River ampitheatre. Good gawd, its unbearable!

You would have to REALLY like who is playing there. Hey, don't let me stop you, though. Rush is a really great band.

Doug; yes that is the Ikea. Only one in western Washington (that I know of).
I'm pretty sure that Bob Wilbur has to work Fri. night! HAHAHA I believe he's going to Atlanta for the tour's 1st show plus I'm sure that he'll catch others that don't conflict w/racing!
My lady is catching the 3rd show, Tampa, next weekend. Then she's up here for our race then Rush had to schedule shows in Seattle (Auburn) & Portland (Vancouver, Wa) for Fri & Sat night!!!
I truly hate giving up Fri night qualifying!!!!!!!!

Rich; too bad about the NAPA event on the race weekend. Our Camaro Club was gonna do a display there this year but since several of us will be @ SIR, er PR, it'll have to wait till next year.

Mark, I guess I kinda like Rush! This is about the 10th time I've seen them. Also have the Rush script from Hemispheres tatooed on my arm.

You are 100% correct on the traffic around White River!!!!! Thankfully, our favorite local reporter has reminded me about some short-cuts!
Thanks KH; PM's not working!