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The Alberni Valley Drag Racing Association will be hosting a “Thunder in the Valley Charity Cruise†on Friday August 6 starting at 7 pm.
The cruise replaces a proposed test and tune event that AVDRA previously scheduled for Sunday, August 8.
“It was going to be too difficult†to bring the test and tuning up to the conditions requested by the City of Port Alberni, said AVDRA vice president Dave Beecroft.
This particular weekend featured drag racing in Port Alberni for more than two decades, first at the Alberni Valley Regional Airport and then with a shortened route to downtown Port Alberni along the ‘avenue Stamp. Last year, the event did not take place due to COVID-19 restrictions.
In late June, Beecroft appeared before Port Alberni City Council to ask if the city would approve a test and tuning event for local runners, which would have required the closure of Stamp Avenue for about a day and a half. Beecroft said that when AVDRA organizers started looking at what they should do for testing and tuning to happen, they realized that was too much.
Instead, they are planning a cruise through the streets of the city for runners and supporters, to raise money for two charities in the Alberni Valley. They will split the profits between the Tseshaht First Nation’s Alberni Indian Residential School (AIRS) fund and the West Coast Hospital Foundation’s challenge to fund the new emergency department.
Beecroft said AVDRA is discussing with the city a proposed itinerary for the charity cruise. “We’re going to do it, one way or another.”
Since this is a fundraiser, drivers are encouraged to register for the cruise. The fee is $ 30 per vehicle, which will include a special orange t-shirt for the event. Members of the public will be able to purchase special Tseshaht First Nation t-shirts at the departure (Alberni Athletic Hall) and arrival (Boston Pizza) of the cruise. Drivers can register with Speedy Glass on Third Avenue and Burde Street (ask for Deb Haggerty), by email at deb.haggerty1984@gmail.com, or on the AVDRA website at albernidragracing.com.
Beecroft hopes drag racing fans will roam the streets of Port Alberni to cheer on the cars while cruising. The course is still under development, but it will start at 7 p.m. at the Alberni Athletic Hall and end approximately 45 minutes later at Boston Pizza.
“We try to keep everyone in the know that we are still working in a permanent location (for Thunder in the Valley),†he said.
“We have had so much support from the community that we want to give something back. “
Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District Auto Race Port Alberni
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