The NASTE Forum — Last Race: OSCAR Trans Am 4/18/2026

Re: Last Race: OSCAR Trans Am 4/18/2026

null@example.com (racerbob) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 22:40:49 +0000

Thanks for adding all the pictures!!!!!

Re: Last Race: OSCAR Trans Am 4/18/2026

null@example.com (wb0s) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 19:37:33 +0000

Bottom line; we are going to miss Springwater Raceway!

Re: Last Race: OSCAR Trans Am 4/18/2026

null@example.com (wb0s) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 19:30:36 +0000

Qualifying/Time trials started the day of racing.

Bob was the Top Qualifyer for the race.

There was a "Racer's Choice" award for the best appearing car based on a driver's vote.

Re: Last Race: OSCAR Trans Am 4/18/2026

null@example.com (wb0s) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 19:26:56 +0000

There was a large turn out of great racers for this last race at Springwater!

Tim from Portland.

Herb from Salem.

Stuart from Portland.

Bill H. from Vancouver.

Chris from Bend.

Bryan from Portland.

Re: Last Race: OSCAR Trans Am 4/18/2026

null@example.com (wb0s) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 19:21:28 +0000

The OSCAR Trans Am class was the class for the last race at Springwater.

Michael and Jim from Bend.

Mike from Vancouver.

Re: Last Race: OSCAR Trans Am 4/18/2026

null@example.com (wb0s) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 19:15:36 +0000

Both sides of "The legend"; Curt from Bend.

JP, also from Bend.

Re: Last Race: OSCAR Trans Am 4/18/2026

null@example.com (wb0s) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 19:09:45 +0000

The tech/pit area in the back could get busy and slightly crowded at times!

Turn marshalling the "Lead On" could be challenging. Typically there's lots of action there!

Stuart suffered some mechanical issues, but fought back to a good finish.

Re: Last Race: OSCAR Trans Am 4/18/2026

null@example.com (wb0s) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 19:01:23 +0000

The Springwater track was located in the basement of a chuch in outer Southeast Portland, close to Gresham. It provided plenty of space for the track and racers. It was a great venue for the track! Thank you again Bob Nak!

There was a small room off of the main area the track was located in. This room served well for Kirk completing tech inspections, and was my favorite pit area.

Re: Last Race: OSCAR Trans Am 4/18/2026

null@example.com (wb0s) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 18:23:07 +0000

Saying goodbye to Springwater is tough. It has been a big part of our local racing scene for a number of years now. A race at Springwater has always drawn a big crowd! Races were high speed and exciting! The road course was challenging and often times left racers with damaged and broken cars. We tore up a lot of equipment on this track, but that just made the wins even more significant. Even finishing a race was an accomplishment and something to take pride in! Winning at Springwater required excellent car preparation, excellent driving, being able to "read" taffic, and lastly, a fast car! Nobody won by accident at Springwater!

Here are some photos I took at the last OSCAR race at Springwater Raceway:

The good news is; Ken Palfenier, one of our local racers, purchased Springwater and will be keeping it in our area. The track will be set back up and put into use just as soon as Ken can secure a spot for it. Ken is looking forward to holding races in the future!

Last Race: OSCAR Trans Am 4/18/2026

null@example.com (racerbob) — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:35:46 +0000

I personally want to thank everyone who has been a part of this adventure named “Springwater Raceway”. From its transport from Depoe Bay to the finishing of the room to house the track, to this last race today, there have been so many people who helped make this dream a reality. This adventure would not have possible any other way. Thank you to my wife, Teri who has supported me this entire time and served up lunch today. 14 Racers gathered to race the OSCAR Trans Am class cars and it’s fitting for this last race to feature the most technical and complicated group of chassis built by some of the Northwest’s greatest chassis builders. Many of whom are no longer with us. OSCAR races start out with practice and qualifying to determine starting positions. Today’s race program consisted of 3 rounds of racing with 4-minute heats. A total of 72 minutes of driving time for each racer. The field was split into an “A” main and “B” main (A race within a race) with plaques going to the first 4 racers in each main. 6 lanes were utilized, which made the racing close, fast and provided some pretty spectacular crashes. Today had a couple of firsts. #1. Kirk Smith handled tech inspections, received entry fees and was the main race director and announcer. #2. Kirk suggested using a PA system to help keep the race flowing and give the race a little boost with lane assignments, calling marshals and keeping the racers updated. It also helped with the final race standings and handing out the plaques. This was a day to remember fondly. When one chapter closes, another is opened. Ken Palfenier has purchased the track and will relocate it to the Beaverton area. It will remain local. We all look forward to competing on it again at its new location. It’s been my pleasure to host the track for the last 7 years. I will also extend a big thank you to those who traveled from Bend and Salem to compete and be a part of this last race. Your presence and friendships mean a lot to me and all the other racers. I finished 1st in the “A” main and Tim Moss won the “B” main. Captain Chaos (Chris) won the racers’ choice award with his beautiful #77 Dodge Challenger. I also won the Top Qualifier award for the first time ever. Thank you all again.
Qualifying Results:
1. Bob N. 5.568
2. The Stig 5.674
3. Stewmeat 5.725
4. Mike G. 5.808
5. Flyin Bryan 5.826
6. Curteous Curt 5.879
7. JP 5.925
8. Bad Billy 5.972
9. Timmy 6.033
10.Captain Chaos 6.061
11. Herb McRobert 6.165
12. JR (Ken) 6.193
13. Professor Fate 6.596
14. Bill Henry 6.716