Instead of acting as a landing strip for small planes, Ponoka Industrial Airport will host a one-eighth mile drag race this summer.
Ponoka councillors and the Airport Commission support the endeavour, said organizer Craig Pateman. “We are wanting to do something for the community.”
Other municipalities such as Stettler and Drayton Valley host their own races and Pateman feels the length is exciting for racers.
“One-eighth mile is better than 100 feet or 200 feet but not too long that you get out of control,” he explained.
The drag race is scheduled for Aug. 9 to 12. Planning has just begun and an organizational meeting is scheduled for Wed. Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. at the Super 8 motel meeting room. Pateman hopes to get a plan together for the organizers and start to garner interest for volunteers and sponsorship.
So far 10 people are involved in the planning and Central Alberta Raceways group in Rimbey has been working with Pateman to offer assistance.
He feels there is an interest for racing shootouts. “We expect 150 cars…That would be a pretty good turnout.”
There might even be some exhibition cars during the weekend as Pateman has received interest from some teams in the area.
“Families may have an opportunity to see larger race cars,” he added.
For more information call Pateman at 403-704-3765 or Bob Moss at 403-783-5027.