Plans shaping up for the return of August Motor Sport weekend in Sechelt

After COVID caused the cancellation of the popular combo of classic cars on display and souped up racers challenging each other on the local airport tarmac, it appears both events will return to Sechelt on the first weekend in August.

At its April 6 regular meeting, District of Sechelt council authorized staff to issue permits for airport use to the Sunshine Coast Drag Racing Association (SCDRA). In addition to the racing event planned for Sunday, Aug. 7, SCDRA vice-president Colin Stracker told Coast Reporter that bookings have been made for a test and tune event for their membership on Aug. 6. Racing events have also been booked for the weekends of July 9 and Sept. 4.

President of the Coasters Car Club, Ken Begg confirmed that the ever-popular Sleepy Hollow Rod Run, which normally attracts more than a hundred classic vehicles to cruise Highway 101 through Sechelt and Halfmoon Bay is being scheduled for Friday, Aug. 5. The club has not ironed out all the details but are hoping to arrange for a “Show and Shine” event on the field of the former Sechelt Elementary school on Aug. 6.

Begg stated that the club executive would be meeting on April 12. If an event registrar can be recruited to replace a long-time volunteer who recently retired from that position, decisions on proceeding can be made. He said he hoped that will happen as he gets several phone calls and emails every day with people looking to make plans to attend or participate.

It took the SCDRA more than six months to finalize 2022 arrangements for airport use with the municipality. “It has taken a long while, but it is a positive result. I’m pleased with council and the mayor for stepping up and allowing us to use the facility again, they were a little hesitant at the beginning, but after some productive discussions we are now able to go ahead," Stracker said.

Council delayed making a decision on allowing the club to use the airport for a number of reasons. Those included the need to complete outstanding lighting improvements, concerns related to the warranty on runway improvements, the potential for damage to the runway from racing, interruptions to aviation use, and whether allowing uses not related to aviation compromised the municipality’s tenure over the airport lands. A staff report provided at the April 6 meeting, stated “the Engineering and Operations Division does not anticipate infrastructure risks from three drag racing events in 2022.”

This summer, the racers will continue to use the recently improved runway. Plans are being developed to create a safe burnout area where damage to airport infrastructure can be minimized.

In a related development, the municipality is encouraging the the club to develop a business plan for the creation of a taxiway parallel to the runway. Stracker said the additional taxiway could benefit the airport and also be used as a more permanent location for racing in future years. He said that the club would need to fundraise and make use of volunteers to make that project a reality. He noted that Mayor Siegers has made an offer to help investigate possible grant funding option for the project.