For the first time in Ponoka’s history, drag racing is taking place at the Labrie Industrial Airport.
The Elite Integrity Ponoka 1/8 Mile Drag Racing event revs up Aug. 10 and 11, beginning each day at 11 a.m.
“We’re just finalizing some loose ends. It looks like it’s going to be a pretty well received event,” said Craig Pateman, president of the Ponoka 1/8 Mile Drag Racing Association.
The bracket-type event will hold three time trials for each driver and they’re able to pick their best time, their dialing time, out of the three. “You’re trying to achieve consistency,” Pateman explained.
Along with the races the event will include activities for children, such as face painting and monster truck rides. “It’s a family-oriented event,” said Pateman.
Exhibition cars are also being featured at the races, including the Blown Alcohol Funny Car and Canada’s only quarter mile wheel-stander.
“We formed last December so that we could put this on, basically. We’re a non-profit group,” said Pateman.
Other communities around Alberta have taken to holding races at rural airports with reported positive results. When the idea was presented to the Town of Ponoka they jumped on board, says Pateman.