Bill Doner was a great promoter at SIR that brought us 64-Funny Cars and Fox Hunts which packed the stands and brought big names to our local track. We attended many of his events back then and he was noted for his radio ads on KJR saying; “Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!! Be there!” and for his outstanding promotions of the 64-Funny Cars.
64 Funny Cars, Courtesy of CompetitionPlus.com
Pacific Raceways (formerly SIR) wrote on his passing:
Bill Doner
Nov. 29, 1938 – Aug. 16, 2019
Bill Doner was our friend. We would see him every summer, talk to him every other week (sometimes multiple times a day) and replay a life so full, it would be hard to cram anything more into it. Bill was also our mentor; we learned from him every chance we got.
Bill awakened the Pacific Northwest to big time motorsports with drag match races, fox hunts and of course 64 Funny Cars. Was there another promoter who ever lined up 64 Funny Cars on a drag strip and fired them up at the same time? Before he made his mark with drag racing, Bill promoted road racing to race-starved Northwest fans with USAC-sanctioned events, Trans-Am racing, the Dan Gurney 200 and more. Seattle International Raceway featuring Bill’s ubiquitous radio ads, thrilling events and even more thrilling side shows were part of the summer’s soundtrack in the 1960s and 70s.
Over the past several years, Bill held court in the Finish Line Club at the NHRA Northwest Nationals interviewing and roasting drivers, both his old friends and new friends, like John Force, Ron Capps, Jack Beckman, Antron Brown, Steve Torrence, and Jerry “The King” Ruth just to name a few. He was making plans to work with Pacific Raceways on other projects….always thinking, always promoting, and always entertaining.
Rest in peace, Bill.
NHRA’s Phil Burgess wrote an excellent article in August 2016:
More on Doner:
Hall of Fame promoter Bill Doner returns for 4th of July blowout – The Spokesman-Review – July 4, 2018
Farewell to ‘the Dones’ – Phil Burgess, NHRA, August 23, 2019
Storytellers at CPTV – Bill Doner Tells the Story of Linda and the Open
Bill Doner was a great promoter, but as the Legends video roast above pointed out, things sometimes got out of hand especially at the Fox Hunts. Too much free flowing alcohol often led to rowdy crowds and often valid complaints from the neighbors of SIR which no longer is the case today.
That being said, his abilities as a promoter brought major league drag racing to the Pacific Northwest and along the West Coast. They were special times with overflowing spectators and the great days of Match Racing which were fun to see!
RIP Mr. Doner, and thanks for the many memories!
Let us remember, the neighbors moved in after the track was there.