AR’s Eddie Nakato Gives First Impressions

Two and a half hours north of Portland, a new face in the Pacific Northwest motorsports scene has surfaced. Located in Shelton, Washington, on the south end of the Sound, The Ridge Motorsports Park offers a blend of blistering fast straights and technical components that should prove a valuable new venue for club racers and track day participants.

From the get-go, The Ridge has served as a boon to the economy around Shelton, Washington. Not only will this new track provide racers with yet another high class facility to choose from, but nearby residents are sure to reap the benefits of construction opportunities and retail commerce stimulated by visitors. Boasting the use of local construction firms, staff positions for area residents, and countless other maintenance jobs, The Ridge is sure to bring a much-needed economic boost to the community.

Arriving at an invitation-only track day, AR Auto Service shop owner Eddie Nakato and AR customer/track day regular Eric Wishan were given a behind-the-scenes look at this new track still in the finishing stages of construction. Offering some staggering features, The Ridge should mix things up a bit for cars of all makes. “The humongous straight will provide a fantastic high speed passing opportunity for high powered vehicles,” Nakato commented, “but there are plenty of fast cornering opportunities that may very well even the playing field for many agile momentum racers.”

Nakato and Wishan were given the opportunity to take their Mazda Miata and BMW M3 for a spin on the track at the new Ridge complex. “The Ridge provided me with a unique driving experience,” Wishan said. “The scenery felt very ‘European’ and was a refreshing change from Portland International Raceway.” The Ridge’s mix of basic and more complex track features created a very different driving experience for Wishan. “It was fascinating riding with Eddie. Even on his first laps around the track I was able to observe the numerous ways many of the track’s turns can be approached.”

Not only does The Ridge Motorsports Park’s blended layout provide drivers with technical and simplistic exercises all in one lap, but driving fans will be relieved to hear the facilities are in a very visitor-friendly area. “It’s easy to access,” Wishan said. “There are tons of services and amenities nearby that are missing when making a weekend trek to Oregon Raceway Park.”