The first test run of Stamp Avenue for Thunder in the Valley was a success, according to Alberni Valley Drag Racing Association president Bill Surry.
“It went great,” Surry said of the four car test run that took place on Thursday evening.
Worries about the dips in Stamp Avenue have been assuaged, he added, because racers will be slowing down by the time they get to anything substantial.
The AVDRA had their contract with the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District terminated due to the airport expansion building season this summer.
Usually, the Alberni Valley Regional Airport shuts down for a weekend during August to host the event.
Fearing losing the event altogether, the city offered up a solution—Stamp Avenue.
The City of Port Alberni first considered moving the drag race to Stamp Avenue in January and city council gave the AVDRA final approval in February. Preparing Stamp Avenue for the event will cost the city $73,000. The funds were used to remove parts of the centre median on Stamp Avenue, to erect barriers along the sides of the street, to make a burnout box and another entrance onto Catalyst Paper property.
The race will take place from Aug. 5-7 and shut down Stamp Avenue for its duration.
Speaking in April, Surry said that preparation for the race were going well and that excitement for the event was mounting among the drag racing community.
reporter@albernivalleynews.com