Comment by Jonathan F on February 14, 2013 at 1:13am

Yes, it would be great to see more events at PIR and not Pacific, I won't run there for safety reasons. Not into the airstrip either.

Comment by Thomas on February 14, 2013 at 1:19am

Lets make one! I think we have the option of creating an event

Comment by Jonathan F on February 14, 2013 at 1:23am

BMW club has events there almost monthly, perhaps the clubs could cooperate?

Comment by Carrie Stewart on February 14, 2013 at 12:45pm

The Audi Club Northwest board is always open to more events. One of the big issues is the finances of running multiple track events in Portland. The historic February Son of Quattrofest event at PIR was always difficult to make work financially and finally this year the board decided to pull the plug on it after 12+ years of losing money on an event that only serves a very small percentage of the membership. A secondary issue is human resources to run events in Portland. The club has not had a depth of members in the Portland area willing to help make events happen on a regular basis. The board has always encouraged events in Portland and in fact has funded some events in the hope to encourage more activity. If you have an idea for an event please send the board a private email and it will presented and discussed.  Within reason the board will bend over backwards to help some activity happen in the Portland area.

Comment by Jonathan F on February 14, 2013 at 12:54pm

That's a chicken and egg problem.

Portland is a quality venue with much better safety than any of the other current venues. It can be argued that Pacific is downright dangerous.  I raced for many years at the National level as well as in Europe in MC's and I am horrified at what passes for a motorsports venue in the US. PIR is a rare exception locally despite it's shortcomings.

There are many of us in PDX that would like to see more events and many more who may join if there were events here locally.  Reaching out to the Porsche Club would also help make such events profitable.

We have one event scheduled at what is perhaps the safest circuit in the PNW for a time when rain is not just possible but in all probability likely.  To me that seems a horrible shame which is why I as a ACNW member am going to be doing all my track events with the BMW club this season.

Sunset is a thriving dealership and they even have top tier SCCA drivers who are also instructors on staff. The lack of PIR's inclusion in the regular schedule is a common topic of discussion down here, I just think it's not making it up to the board.

Comment by Jonathan F on February 14, 2013 at 1:11pm

That wasn't meant to be flippant, just honest.  ORP is a schlepp for a lot of people was well and once you factor in getting to some of these venues, availability of quality services (like tire mounting, etc.) those venues quickly lose their appeal.

Proximity of a good dealer and the likelihood of on site mechanics is also a very big plus for venues in the city as opposed to the boondocks for many (although I can manage my car without that, it's still nice for others).

Comment by Patrick Martin on February 14, 2013 at 1:34pm

Jonathan,  As someone who has personally event mastered over 15 PIR events I agree with your sentiments that it is the safest facility around.  It does lack a bit of sex appeal however and the other tracks in the area are in high demand by the vast majority of the membership.  This was witnessed by diminishing numbers of participants at each of the past few non Quattrofest PIR dates we had. 

All club events (ACNW and otherwise) are run by members.  If a member approaches the board with an event it will likely be approved and help will be provided, financially and infrastructure.  However that does not mean that Seattle ACNW members should be expected to run it.  Portland area Audi owners need to step up and make things happen.  ACNW is not an entity in itself.  It is people who come together with a common passion and explore their cars capabilities and more importantly the drivers capabilities in a safe and entertaining way. I am no longer on the board but I do participate in many ways to make this little corner of the Audi world a better place.  I personally invite anyone from Portland to join me in the cause!

  

Comment by Jonathan F on February 14, 2013 at 1:39pm

I'm in.. sign me up.  I'll get Eric from Sunset involved as well.  He's a card carrying SCCA instructor and he competed at Daytona this year.  Top shelf driver.

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