Members of the Alberni Valley Drag Racing Association say they were mislead and blindsided after the regional district denied their return to the airport for Thunder in the Valley.
Association president Rockey Filipchuk says the entire group is disheartened over the way things were handled.
“We were led to believe that this was a done deal as we had met all of their demands and requirements,” he said. “Two committees had recommended we be allowed to go back to the airport, but at the eleventh hour we were denied by the ACRD.”
Filipchuk said they have no choice but to go back to racing on Stamp Avenue this year, although they still have to make some arrangements with the city, Paper Excellence and the San Group.
Mayor Sharie Minions says the city and the San Group have approved the races return to Stamp Avenue
“San Group has worked really hard to accommodate a way to make it work on Stamp Avenue,” she said. ‘From our perspective as the city, we’re expecting it to happen on Stamp Avenue, recognizing that that’s not where they want it, but we want to support them however we can.”
Filipchuk said they have to have all their approvals in place by June 1st if Thunder in the Valley is to happen this year.
