Tuesday, 28 July 2026, 13:14
A tragic crash at Pacific Raceways in Kent, Washington, claimed the life of a driver during a vintage car racing event Sunday afternoon. The collision occurred during the 38th Annual Pacific Northwest Historics, a three-day competition organized by the Society of Vintage Racing Enthusiasts (SOVREN).
According to a King County Sheriff's Office spokesperson, deputies and fire personnel responded to the track at 31001 144th Ave. SE around 2:10 p.m. on July 5. Reports indicate that during a race, one vehicle struck another that was occupied by a driver. First responders provided lifesaving efforts, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Sheriff's Office stated that the incident remains under investigation and no additional information is available at this time. The Kent Reporter has sought comment from Pacific Raceways and SOVREN.
Three vehicles were involved in the collision, according to the Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority. The driver of one vehicle had to be extricated and died at the scene from his injuries, said fire authority spokesman Pat Pawlak. Another driver suffered minor injuries and a third was unharmed.
The driver killed has been identified as Glenn David Woloski, 62, of Garibaldi Highlands, British Columbia. He died of multiple blunt force injuries, and the death was ruled an accident by the King County Medical Examiner's Office. Woloski participated in the Group 9: Formula Ford/Club Ford division, racing a 1979 Van Diemen RF79.
SOVREN is a nonprofit dedicated to the restoration, preservation, and competition of vintage production and purpose-built sports cars on Pacific Northwest road racing circuits. The 38th Pacific Northwest Historics featured more than 160 competitors from across the country, with featured groups including the Hoosier 2.5 Challenge (vintage Datsun 510s, BMW 2002s, Alfa Romeo GTAs and GTVs), the Sprite Midget Challenge, and the Emerald Cup.
While this incident occurred in Washington, California has a rich vintage racing scene, with similar events held at tracks like Sonoma Raceway and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The state's racing community often follows SOVREN events closely, and this tragedy may prompt renewed safety discussions among California vintage racing organizers.
Fatal accidents at organized racing events are rare but not unprecedented. In 2023, a driver died during a vintage race at Sonoma Raceway in California. Such incidents underscore the inherent risks of motorsports, even with modern safety measures.
Woloski is the second Vintage Racing driver to die in four years at Pacific Raceways. Jim Bushnell, 63, died in a crash during his qualifying race on April 23, 2022. He died from multiple blunt force injuries, according to the King County Medical Examiner's Office, which ruled his death an accident. Bushnell's Porsche reportedly collided with another car, left the track and rolled over, and he died at the scene.
The investigation into the fatal crash at Pacific Raceways continues. The racing community mourns the loss of a competitor, and further updates are expected as authorities release more information.
