TO: Pacific Raceways Drag Racers
FROM: Jason Fiorito, President
RE: 2023 Drag Season
As we get ready for the 2023 racing season, I met with a cross-section of drag racers to discuss the economics of the program. Since January 2022 inflation has increased at a rapid pace. As a result, Pacific Raceway must realign our operational finances to account for increased prices and expenses.
For example, there is a nation-wide shortage and subsequent price increase in track prep PJ1. A drum of PJ1 has gone up nearly 50% since last year and for some of our early races we may use 1-2 drums of the product to provide the racing surface required. Increases to operational expenses of the drag strip run much deeper than the rising cost of PJ1. Other expenses have skyrocketed too such as insurance, property taxes and the loss of track revenue from drag race rainouts. This has taken what was already a Pacific Raceways financially supported drag race program to a heavily subsidized program.
Despite the losses, Pacific Raceways is committed to keeping drag racing alive in King County and providing you with a safe facility to enjoy the sport we all love.
With that in mind, here is what we agreed on. The 2023 tech card prices will increase $40 for all A Street Automotive Gold Cup races with $10 of that increase going back into the prize fund. Test and tune prices will increase by $30 from last year’s prices and other races will go up similarly depending on prize money and other considerations. This year, Jr. Dragster and High School tech cards will remain unchanged.
In return, we agreed the track will continue to be well prepped and the program will run efficiently to insure completed events with a goal of two time runs when possible. Please remember that drag racing dates on the schedule compete with road course schedule dates, which are predictable and less costly to operate.
My family has owned the track since it was built in 1959. Owning a racetrack is a tough business and operating in an urban area makes it even more difficult. What makes it worthwhile are our customers and the multigenerational relationships we have built up over time.
Thank you for your continued support of drag racing at Pacific Raceways.