An enthusiastic and excited crowd gathered at the Richter Pass Motorplex last Sunday to witness the 5th annual Rumble in the Valley Car Club Challenge.
The event, organized by the Wine Country Racing Association, highlighted the 2014 Ridler Award winner, “Rivision,” driven by creator JF Launier.
The Wine Country Racing Association (WCRA) is a non-profit society run by a board of directors. The group’s main goal is to provide a safe, back-to-the-basics outlet for those with a “need for speed” – in other words, to remove some of the temptation to drag race on our public roads.
Doug Blatchford, a director on the WCRA society, explained further about the benefits of the WCRA. “By nature, human beings love to compete and race against each other, we also like to watch others compete. Unlike most sports, drag racing is one of the few sports where all competitors are equal and they compete head to head. Size, gender and age are not factors. Classes are determined by the type of vehicle,” he stated.
Of course, as with any local organization, there are challenges that come with the territory, and the WCRA is not exempt from their own set of issues. Doug explained that although drag racing on a track provides a safe alternative to street racing, the latter is free and can be done at any time as opposed to a prescribed event. However, the WCRA made it their priority to get drag racing off of local streets by providing a safe environment where lawful racing can occur. “Unlike street racing, people that want to watch the racing are behind a protective barrier where they are not going to get hurt,” he said. “We’d like to thank the Town of Osoyoos with helping us make that happen by allowing us to rent and race at the airport.”
Racing of this caliber, however, wouldn’t occur without a strong base of volunteers and sponsors to assist with organizing and promoting events such as Rumble in the Valley. Doug explained that, “unlike street racing, the WCRA has to put money up front for insurance, safety barriers, timing equipment, traction compound, tech inspection for race cars, firemen, paramedics, and tow trucks.” He went further by saying, “our volunteers have demonstrated their commitment to getting racing off the street by giving us their time. Without the volunteers and corporate support, drag racing in Osoyoos would not happen.”
When asked what some future goals for the racing association might be, Doug was mindful that getting bigger and flashier is not always a good thing. “The major challenge for the WCRA is to keep the racing grass roots,” he explained. “Make it affordable and just for fun. A lot of tracks offer cash purses, to attract the faster race cars in order to get more fans. But increased budgets mean higher spectator prices, much higher costs to race a car, the faster cars become the show, and the grass roots street car racers tend to get pushed out of the main event and back onto the street.”
Shana Cachola, public relations for WCRA, joined originally as a means to get out and have some fun. As she recalled her first time down the track, she said she chickened out and lifted off the throttle. However, after some encouragement from her husband, her next run was to the metal clear through the finish line. “When I got out of the car, I was literally seeing stars. It was such a rush,” she declared. Shana claims she’s been hooked ever since. “The adrenaline is why I race. It’s an escape from the real world, even for a little over seven seconds.”
But that’s not the only reason Shana keeps going back to the track. “The guys in the club and down at the track are an incredible bunch to hang around. Everyone is there for two reasons: to go as fast as you can and have a ton of fun doing so. The competition, coupled with the camaraderie, makes the track one of my favourite places on earth to be.”
Both Doug and Shana recommend that everyone take an 1/8 mile cruise at some point in their life. It’s a place where you can conquer your fears, let loose, and for several seconds, feel free.
So wondering what’s coming up that you can take a break from your schedule and check out?
Fri/Sat Oct. 3-4 – Oliver Legion Market Days (Fri 8 am– 5 pm, Sat 8 am-1 pm)
Sat Oct. 4 – Hester Creek Garlic Festival 11-4 pm
Sun Oct. 5 – Festival of the Grape, Oliver Community Centre 12-5 pm
Sat/Sun Oct. 4-5 – OCAC Fall Art Show and Sale, Oliver Community Centre
Life is hectic and everyone is busy. Take the time to get out and about, and enjoy what is around you – you’ll be glad you did.
Marji Basso
Special to the Chronicle
