Abstract: A solenoid parking brake release assembly (10) for setting a parking brake (12) and automatically releasing the parking brake (12) includes a lever (26) connected to the foot pedal (28) for rotating a rack portion (30) upon depression thereof. The rack portion (30) coacts to rotate a gear (46) about which is a torsion spring (54) which frictionally grips the gear (46) to maintain same in a rotated position. The torsion spring (54) includes a first end connected to the core element (66) of a solenoid (64) such that upon energization of the solenoid (64), the core element (66) is drawn into the solenoid (64) which releases the frictionaly grip on the gear (46) allowing the parking brake (12) to be released. The solenoid (64) is energized by the gear voltage from the gear selector (14) of a vehicle transmission when the ignition is on, the parking brake (12) is depressed, and one of the forward or reverse gears are selected.