This is West Richland’s second year hosting the Fall Classic, and it’s estimated around 10,000 people will stop by to see the speedy hotrods.
WEST RICHLAND, Wash. — The Tri-Cities region is revving up this weekend for the 35th Annual Fall Classic. It takes place at the Red Mountain Events Center on the Tri-City Raceway.
This is only West Richland’s second ever Fall Classic, but the raceway is more than prepared.
“Small short tracks are drying,” said West Richland’s Mayor, Brent Gerry. “This one was dead, given up for, dead for seventeen years. There was nothing left but a skeleton.”
READ: Tri-City Raceway returns after 17 years to host the 2021 Fall Classic
He said the Tri-City Raceway was an investment worth making. Not only do the people in the grand-stands love to see the cars move, but the racers love the track even more.
“It’s second to none of the other racetracks I’ve been to all over the country,” said one racer.
“This place, there’s nothing else like it,” said Trevor Cristiani.
“You just feel like you’re flying around here. So it’s just, it’s way different, I don’t even really know how to explain it,” said Trace Thompson.
Engines revving, tires screeching and cars that move almost faster than your eyes can follow.
Trevor Cristiani will be driving a Toyota Camry, sponsored by Toyota of Tri-Cities. It’s a cherry red hotrod he’s hoping will get the checkered flag.
“It’s gonna be good, it’s gonna be sporty. We’re pretty good at first practice,” said Cristiani. “I’m really looking forward to seeing kind of how the whole weekend plays out, but I think that we’re going to be pretty dialed in.”
Local racer competes right at home
One racer, Trace Thompson, grew up right in West Richland. He said he doesn’t have to travel far to get to the track.
“Most of the time for me, hotel beds aren’t the most comfortable and I don’t sleep the best there. So, I do like sleeping in my own bed,” said Thompson.
Despite being right at home, he said it’s no different from any other competition.
“It’s just another race this weekend,” he said.
These racers all go head to head this weekend. Four championships and one invitational out of the six divisions scheduled.
With vintage racers, modern speedsters and more, it’s going to be quite the sight to see.
You can purchase tickets to the race here.
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