[vc_row full_width=”” parallax=”” parallax_image=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]If you like cars you’ll want to visit the World of Speed in Wilsonville. The non-profit museum was founded in 2014 and opened in 2015, and has a collection of nearly 100 vehicles including cars from Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Danica Patrick. Eighty to 100 cars are on loan to the museum at any one time and are switched out every other month. Racing styles represented include NASCAR, Open Wheel Racing, Drag Racing, Indy Car Racing, and Land Speed Racing. The mission of the museum is to Educate, Entertain, Preserve, and Celebrate motorsports.
According to its brochure, the education center of the museum features two state-of-the-art classrooms that are used to facilitate learning. Five school districts participate in the educational program at the museum which includes summer camp programs for youth. Kids participating in these camps get a chance to “drive” three race car simulators, including a 1962 Lotus, Adrian Fernandez’s 1995 Lola Indy Car, and Johnny Benson’s 1998 NASCAR Ford Taurus. The museum also provides workshops for adults and driver’s education courses, and partners with schools to teach auto mechanics classes at Clackamas Community College.
After taking a spin in one of the simulators, you can check out the Daytona Banking Wall. The 15 feet tall, 44 feet wide exhibit has the exact inclines of the original speedway and features four vehicles from legendary NASCAR drivers. Another of the museum’s permanent exhibits features a video and models of land speed records and vehicles, a collection of Triumph motorcycles, and a Wall of Sound where visitors can peruse car-related music and radios.
The World of Speed is housed in the old, 80,000 SF Dodge dealership building just off I5 in Wilsonville. It is available for rent and can seat and provide catering for 800 people. The museum has an in-house commercial kitchen. Admission is $10 for adults and memberships are available. The museum also sponsors a “cars and coffee” event every Saturday morning from 8 – 10 AM in the parking lot when auto enthusiasts bring and show off their own classic cars.
David Schaeffer is executive director of World of Speed. Before joining World of Speed, Schaeffer worked for the Children’s Cancer Association for six years as the chief development officer, leading its revenue growth from $1.9 million to $3.3 million. He has also worked in the headquarters for the American Cancer Society, Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. David earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of South Dakota and resides in Portland, Ore.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]