Portland is known for its polite drivers and gracious “You go first” attitude on the road. But inside most of us, there’s some pent up human rage to step on the gas, pass the slowpokes and hear the deep satisfying rumble of an engine at full throttle.
Now here’s a satisfying way to give into those aggressive urges — drive courteously down to Malibu Raceway in Beaverton, where you can get behind the wheel of a high-powered Indy style formula race car.
Strap on a helmet and goggles, roll out to the start gate, place your fat racing tires on the starting line, wait breathlessly for the green light… and then GO!
It’s hard to wipe that bug-catching, ear-to-ear grin off your face as you hurdle around the twisting, turning 1/2 mile track, taking the tight curves like a pro in your highly responsive Virage Race Car. Even if you go over a curb or two, that’s okay. It’s part of the fun — and something you’re not supposed to do on Burnside or Naito Parkway.
And, oh yeah. It feels good to stomp on the gas and go flat out as fast as you can, accelerating into the turns to beat your previous best time on the scoreboard. Or, you can enchant (or terrify) a loved one by strapping them in next to you, in one of the two-seater Grand Virage Race Cars.
Even if you’re 12, and somehow haven’t gotten your driver’s license yet, you can get behind the wheel of a Sprint 1-seater race car… as long as you’re tall enough to see over the wheel.
For parents, this is a great relief. You can strap yourself into your own dare devil machine, knowing your kids are having a ball, driving their own speedy, yet safe road beasts.
The challenge is re-entry into Portland’s polite driving society. As you leave the Raceway parking lot and merge onto Cascade Avenue, there’s a tendency to want to punch it and roar out into traffic.
You must control yourself. You must reawaken your road etiquette when you see the front half of an SUV creeping out of the alley into your lane. You must remember where you are — and give the driver the hand gesture that made Portland famous: “No, you go first!”
That’s why you might find yourself back at Malibu Raceway. It’s just the therapy you need to release that inner road rage. Come back on a Tuesday, buy five laps and get five for free for $17.25. Then buckle up on the spot or save your laps for another day when you’re feeling especially aggressive. And, if you come on Thursday, you can get unlimited racing for up to two hours for $24.95*
(*According to the Malibu Raceway site.)