Register for the Packwood ProSolo!
Do you enjoy fresh mountain air, the sound of pine trees rustling in the wind, and warm summer sunshine? Do you also enjoy the heart pounding, adrenaline pumping feeling that comes from combining drag racing and autocross? If you answered yes, then you need to make plans to get to the Tire Rack Packwood ProSolo because in just 5 short weeks the hills are going to be alive with the sound of engines revving, gears shifting, and tires squealing.
Packwood, WA is a small town located along highway 12 in the northern part of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The town sits in a valley nestled between tree-covered mountains to the east and the Cowlitz River to the west. It's a wonderful place to relax and take in the scenic beauty. It’s also a great place for hiking, fishing, mountain biking, and enjoying the great outdoors.
The Packwood ProSolo site was once home to Hampton Lumber Mills. While the mill has been decommissioned and the lumber is all gone, acres of asphalt remain. The asphalt is high-grip with surface features that allow the course designer options for on or off-camber turns.
The site also features large, open-air steel buildings that were once used to house the lumber. During Solo events the buildings are used as indoor paddock and grid space. The buildings make the perfect place to escape the summer sun and the occasional rain shower.
Another great thing about Packwood is you can camp on site. Bring a motor home, trailer, tent, or whatever it may be that you have and stay on site. You will find that many people choose to stay on site and there is usually an informal social gathering on Saturday evening. Unfortunately for us, the Hyman family has moved away so there may not be a Margarita party Saturday night, but we can always start a new tradition.
If you choose to camp on site during the event, you should know that there is no electricity or running water on site. The Packwood RV Park & Campground is a nice facility located just down the road and it has showers available for a small fee. If you would like to have access to electricity and running water, then you may want to rent a space at the campground instead of staying on site.
If camping isn't your thing and you would prefer a hotel, a quick search on TripAdvisor.com will give you a list and reviews of the different Packwood hotels. There are also multiple rental cabins in the area. If you are interested in renting a cabin, check out the Lodging section of DestinationPackwood.com.
With its close proximity to Mt. St. Helens National Monument and Mt. Rainier National Park, as well as many lakes and rivers, Packwood is a popular summer time tourist destination. Hotel rooms and campgrounds will fill up. I recommend making reservations as soon as possible.
If you would like to attend the Packwood ProSolo, but don't have time to make the drive up, consider flying in and co-driving. I'm sure the friendly folks from Northwest Region and Oregon Region can help in finding an open ride for the event. The drive from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes to Packwood. The drive from Portland International Airport to Packwood is about the same. I'd bet you could even skip the rental car and hitch a ride with a Northwest Region or Oregon Region member.
The Packwood site is wonderful and beautiful and the Northwest Region always does an amazing job of hosting the event. If that's not reason enough to make you go, then you should know, the Packwood site was recently put up for auction and while it seems we may have dodged a bullet for now, no one really knows how much longer we will have access to the site. 2016 could potentially be the last time the ProSolo series makes a stop in Packwood. Don’t miss the opportunity to run at the most extraordinary ProSolo site on the west coast. See you in July!
UPDATE:
- No camping on site before 10:00 am on Thursday before the National Tour
- For those who want to camp on site between the Tour and the Pro, the donation is $20 for the week. We will need names of those who wish to use this so we can notify Hampton Mills. Dumping of waste or garbage on site is prohibited. This includes use of sanitation facilities supplied for the events.
- The sound limit at Packwood is 96db.
