Halloween Classic at Boise, Idaho

Five Days of Fun, Costumes, and Racing

Words and photos by Brian Losness

There are so many different types of analogies for being patient, and measured including “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” and “It’s not a sprint, it is a marathon.” Well, this is the type of mind set when you participate in the Halloween Classic at Boise’s Firebird Raceway.

The Classic is five days long; racing begins on Wednesday, with Club Challenge run off along with a myriad of test and tune sessions mixed in.

Racing is not the sole activity to the Halloween Classic; it is much more than that. The Classic is a social activity that goes on for those five days, intermixed with racing and just a wonderful family time.

It isn’t an accident that the Halloween Classic has become one of if not the largest events not only for the racetrack but also for the entire Pacific Northwest. Six hundred and twelve cars were on the grounds at the 2015 Classic.

There are numerous races throughout the event. The headliner is Top Gun. This class is for cars and drivers that normally run in either or both top sportsman and top dragster. It is broken down into Top Gun Open Wheel and Top Gun Full Bodied. Sixteen cars fields are assembled for eachdivision. The winners of each class then runs off for the title of Top Gun.

In addition to Top Gun Titles are awarded in Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Heavy, and Bike/Sled Bike. There are also buy-back opportunities to extend your playing time.

On Saturday and Sunday, the kids also get a chance to get involved as the Juniors are figured into the racing mix.

There is so much food being served by not only by the track, but a rolling smorgasbord takes place in the pits. If you attend and you go hungry, well, then it is your own fault.

At the conclusion of each day, racing people migrating to the enormous bonfire that can be seen from over the other side of the hill. People gather around socialize and there might even be an adult beverage consumed as well.