They rolled in to Sechelt Airport from Grande Prairie, AB; Quadra Island; Powell River; Delta; Ladner and all over the Coast to enjoy two days of drag racing. Young teenagers earning their wings with adults beside them. A Gibsons man adding another trophy to his set of 15. An off-Coast winner congratulated by his father who happened to be vice-president of the Sunshine Coast Drag Racing Association. A son-and-father duo taking first and second place in their class. A first-aid post, a volunteer fire department and a tow truck ready to assist. In the background, a bouncy castle, face-painting and busy food outlets, as well as the Gibsons Lions Club. Blue skies, music, busy mechanics, old cheerful rivalries kept alive, and everywhere cameras recording the scene. Cars accelerating so hard that they rear up in “wheelies” and hit 200 k/ph and “grocery-getters” proud to hit 70 kph on the 1/8 mile track. And a class winner driving his 50-year-old delivery van with such lightning reactions that he out-drove and outwitted everyone else. Drag racing is surely the most open and democratic motor sport on Earth.
Winners: Hot Rod –– 1. Scott Wilson; 2. Tyler Muryn; Street Rod –– 1. Todd Lancaster, 2. Tami Bourque; Super Street –– 1. Brendan Bolder, 2. Brian Bolder; Street Machine –– 1. Mike Van Der Linden, 2. Kevin McGarry; Teen Championship –– 1. Mason Gurney, 2. Andrew Charboneau; Motorcycle –– 1. Kevin Pye, 2. Darren Gavin.
