To the Editor,
It is with a heavy heart and disappointment that I write this letter — but feel it is important to let others know what I experienced when I attempted to race in Thunder In the Valley.
A few weeks ago I went to my hometown of Port Alberni to participate in Thunder in The Valley car races.
In order to qualify in the races there is a lot of preparation that goes into it — obtaining a license from the NHRA Association in the USA, getting some races in, and making sure your vehicle is ready to race — never mind the cost of bringing a race car over from the mainland.
Not thinking that the races could possibly be full I headed off to the race track on Saturday morning only to encounter the registration person telling me that the racing competition was all full and that I could not race.
Having raced in Mission City Raceway and other venues I knew that this could not be possible.
I attempted to figure out a way that I could race, spoke to several other participants and was told by the head organizer of the Door Slammers category that there were several spots still open. As well, another racer had blown his engine and was willing to relinquish his entry.
It seemed to me that no matter what I did though, I was not allowed to race that weekend.
Not being a computer person I never realized that I needed to register on line. Later on that evening my sister went on line to the website which had a form that you needed to fill out and mail in but it did say that if all categories were not full that you could go on a waiting list.
The webpage states “as each class fills up, we will put any forms received after the closing date on a waiting list in the order they are received to be used in the event of any cancellations.” This option was never offered to me.
I spoke to the president of the Alberni Valley Racing Association who only referred me back to the registration person who clearly was not interested in following the rules.
It’s too bad that I now have a bad taste in my mouth from this whole experience and will be sure to let others know what they will be up against if they decide to participate in this event in Port Alberni.
Mark A. Super
Maple Ridge, B.C.