KENT, Wash. -- After 54 years of ownership, the Fiorito Family is selling Pacific Raceways, or as track president Jason Fiorito put it Wednesday, "passing the torch."
The 320-acre property includes the road course, a drag strip, a kart track and a large amount of undeveloped land. Not long ago, Fiorito was pitching his own Pacific Innovation Center as part of a property investment project to attract tech and motorsports-related companies. So far, that has not happened.
"The region demands a first-class racing option paired with a pretty substantial commercial development," said Fiorito, "That takes a level of resources that we as a family don't have."
Entitled for commercial development, Fiorito envisions a big economic draw for the Kent-Auburn area. However, that does not hide issues at the existing facility, which he admits includes "cash flow" problems. While the track has been repaved, many racers complain about a lack of facilities.
There has also been a long-running battle with nearby homeowners over noise.
"The raceway at times comes right through all the closed doors and through the windows," said Linda Worden, who has been part of the fight to get the track to follow county guidelines for years.
Worden's husband was a motorcycle racer himself, and both say they are not against racing in general. They hope a new owner will have a new approach on dealing with the community.
"There has been a continual pushing of the envelope," Worden said of the existing ownership, "as far as saying you're going to do one thing and doing something different.
"(Fiorito) has a silver tongue."
For his part, Fiorito said he has a good relationship with the community and local elected officials. No matter who buys the property, it is unlikely racing will stop at Pacific Raceways because of existing permits.
"The property is in better condition than it's ever been," said Fiorito.
