With less than 4 months before their event, Thunder in the Valley organizers still aren’t sure if, or where the annual drag races will be held.
At a meeting of the Alberni Valley Bamfield Services Committee yesterday morning, members narrowly voted against staff recommendations and gave the racers one final year at the airport before they expect them to have their own purpose-built track.
Then in the afternoon, it passed at the Alberni – Clayoquot Regional District Board level, with the caveat that a ‘Terms of Use’ contract be negotiated.
Alberni Valley Drag Race Association member Dave Willis says he’s frustrated by all the bureaucracy.
“We thought we had three barriers to cross, but now we have another one,” said Willis. “Yes, I’m frustrated.”
Willis said staff have been putting up bureaucratic barriers, but racers are determined to keep their event going.
He said he’s unsure how long it will take to hammer out an agreement with regional district staff, who have repeatedly recommended against holding the races at the airport.
ACRD staff told board members that the races will decrease the lifespan of the runway and endanger thousands of dollars of infrastructure.
