Richter Pass Motorplex. Do you know where it is? Any other day of the week it is known as the Osoyoos airport. But last weekend the Wine Country Racing Association (WCRA) opened the gates to a flood of drag cars from all over B.C. and Alberta for their seventh annual Car Club Challenge. They needed to come see what’s shakin’ in the Okanagan.
The weekend did not disappoint. A record smashing 113 drivers registered to line their cars up and see just what they could do. Fans flocked and made the event a complete success. This rumble of four car clubs is always a hit. This year the Kelowna Kustoms Club drag home the trophy. Their driver, Ian Haryett (’65 Comet Caliente) beat Vernon Cam Jammers’ Luke Stabu (’72 Nova) to the finish line. This puts the Kustoms ahead of all the rest, with three wins.
New metal hit the start lights with a '66 Acadian Canso driven by Dale Jansen of Armstrong and Winfield's Tim Deplonty flying in the '68 Chevelle).
Cliff Meeds, from Oliver’s Coachmasters, raced his ’69 Chevrolet truck to the winners’ circle in the Fast Four Shoot-out.
Sportsman Bracket winner Rob Wylie from Vernon (’72 Chevelle wagon) raced Gord Hoeft from Kelowna (’73 Ford Mustang).
In the Pro Bracket James Lutz and his ’66 Ford Fairlane of Enderby zipped past his competition, Ron Carlson’s ’70 Chevrolet Nova of Kelowna to take home the trophy. Grand Forks' Rob Skilling (’70 Chevelle) drove to victory over Penticton ’s Dean Book (’86 Ford F150) in the Super Pro division.
Bike/Sled class saw Creston’s Jim Mehedon (’02 Gen 2 sled) fly past Kelowna’s Dan Ofukany (’99 Arctic Cat ZRTR800).
Only one more event for the 2016 season is slated for Oct. 9 at 9 a.m.