For those who were alive during the 1980s, there is a place for you to return to relive nostalgic memories of a pre-digital time.
A world still exists where you can finally achieve your dream to become Smokey or the Bandit, perhaps one of the Dukes of Hazard or maybe see Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome in real life - complete with cow skulls on car roofs.
That place is WL Forestry/NAPA Thunder Mountain Speedway in Williams Lake.
A massive crowd came out to put the modern world of digital unreality aside for an evening, just beyond the reaches of cell service - to hear the roar of engines, smell the smoke of burning rubber and flaming brakes. They were there to watch the live action at the Hit to Pass and more on Friday, June 27.
The Friday night action got started with a demonstration by Brock Hoyer and some of the Williams Lake Dirt Riders. They were the perfect way to start a show following a massive downpour, as the motocross riders are used to playing in the mud.
The rain stopped and the popular Hit to Pass got underway in front of a packed viewing area, where spectators and VIPs set up with umbrellas, tents and plenty of their own refreshments, though the lineup for mini doughnuts during any break in action was almost as epic as the on-track action.
The main race for the Mini cars' main event saw slow and steady actually win the race, as Olivia Finamore drove herself and her pink My Little Pony mascot and car across the finish line first.
Finamore was fist-punching the air after her win, as she savoured victory. Finamore said beating out the Bettles was a big achievement, given the years of racing the race veterans have over the novice driver.
Finamore was followed in the results by Brian Bettles in second and Jordan Bettles in third.
The Large size Hit to Pass event ended with more Bettles in top spots: Gordan Bettles taking first place, Dallas Rosette in second and Brian Bettles in third.
Then King of the Hill gave anyone with a hankering to get their own vehicle out on the track, whatever the consequences, a chance to live out their Dukes of Hazard dreams.
While at first there were no entries, perhaps due to the wet track as the night got underway, a couple of cars came out of the woodwork to give the crowd something to cheer for. Chris Boffa took the victory, and was crowned King of the Hill.
The smoke show drew more participants, those with tires to spare.
It was a decisive victory for Zack Weeks, whose flat deck truck's spewed forth smoke and more as a result of his efforts, requiring a fire extinguisher to give him a hand afterwards as flames flashed up from his rear wheels. Weeks came off the track with a tire in shreds, and then watched coolant pour from his overheated engine in the pit area.
He still got right back in and headed out onto the track again in the truck to collect his winnings, leaving the pool of green coolant to mark his spot.
But coolant wasn't the only liquid lost during the on-track action. An oil pan puncture paused racing while it was contained and the track cleared and there was more than one vehicle needing a little help to return to the pits.
It was an exciting Friday night, and Saturday's action continued to thrill the crowd, with sunnier skies for much of the day.
Tri City race main results were:
First - Arnie Kunka, Williams Lake
Second - Donnie Kunka, Williams Lake
Third - Lyall McComber, Prince George
Hornet Class:
First - Sage Howlett, Williams Lake
Second - Emily Thomas, Williams Lake
Third - Jeremy Floer, Williams Lake
Legends Class:
First - Mikey Garcia, Quesnel
Second - Marius Dunford, Williams Lake
Third - Jill Désilets, West Kelowna
Thunder Class:
First - Gordan Bettles, Williams Lake
Second - Brian Bettles, Williams Lake
Third - Brett Melville, Williams Lake
The next WL Forestry/NAPA Thunder Mountain Speedway action will by July 26 for the Fan Appreciation Night, with qualifying start at 5 p.m.
