Just over 40 years ago in 1975 a criterium race was held in downtown Seattle at Pioneer Square. Throughout the day as street people woke up from their alcoholic stupors they kept wandering into the street and causing numerous crashes. Several riders were seriously injured, but in each instance the bums didn’t seem to be hurt. If bystanders had not been vigilant it would have been much worse. I don’t remember another time when a race in downtown Seattle was attempted again. The Nationals in 1977 were held in a residential neighborhood and at a car race track out in the county.