Wednesday night drags at P.I.R.
Every Wednesday night in Summer, Portland International Raceway hosts E.T. (or “Elapsed Time”) drag racing of NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) dragsters. From under 18 junior-class racers to tricked out top alcohol burning supercars, locals from the Portland/Vancouver area congregate every week to race not so much against each other, but against time. And in this crucible fueled by a rich mix of gasoline and adrenaline, Time Slip was born.
A time slip is the small receipt of paper each drag racer recieves at the end of a run. The numbers listed on this slip are what these racers compete so passionaltely for. Likewise, when at the Wednesday night drags, the casual observer wouldn't be faulted for monmentarily forgetting what era they're in. As moments captured in this series are timeless, "Time Slip" seemed a more than appropriate name for this project.
"... this is like our bowling night..."
Shot entirely with three film cameras and two film stocks, William sought to shine a light on this unique, passionate community that has been pursuing the checkered flag for over 40 years. A community unchanged if but for the recent threats of encroaching development and gentrification that put this unique pass time at risk forever.
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