Thunder Mountain Speedway kicked off its portion of Stampede weekend Friday evening with the fan-favourite Crash to Pass extravaganza.
Around 2,000 spectators filled the seating area as fans watched an amazing spectacle of thrills and more than a few spills.
The race itself featured tons of wrecks — much to the crowd’s delight — as drivers and their pit crews worked changing tires, sawing off parts and replacing parts to keep their cars on the track for the main event. By the end of the race, a field of beaten-down wrecks remained, circling around the track for their shot at the $1,000 prize.
This year’s Crash to Pass winner was Agassiz’s Bill Koenders, taking home $1,000 for his efforts.
In second was Williams Lake’s Dennis Redlick, followed by Quesnel’s Cole Byrd in third.
Winning the Crash to Pass trophy dash and the ‘B’ heat was Redlick, while Quesnel’s Jason Howlett took home the ‘A’ heat.
Also on Friday, around 10 contestants entered their street-legal cars for the King of the Hill contest.
Tyler Hamm, racing in an imported 1993 Mazda 323, took home the first-place trophy.
Fans were also treated to a smoke show competition, where Terry Fowler, in a Kenworth semi-truck, melted the tires off his rig to a roaring crowd ovation.
Saturday, street stocks, bone stocks, Heartland Toyota pro minis and thunders hit the track for the Street Stock Invitational.
Drivers attended the event from Victoria, Dawson Creek, Agassiz, 100 Mile House, Prince George and Quesnel in addition to a bone stock driver, Vic Finch, who came all the way from Caines, Australia.
Winning the bone stock fast time was local driver Donny Kunka, while Howlett (Quesnel) won the trophy dash, and Sean Brown (Quesnel) took home both the heat and the main event.
In the Heartland Toyota pro mini class it was Williams Lake’s Tim Roberts winning both the fast time and the main event. Marius Dunford won the trophy dash and the heat.
For the Thunders it was Jesse Fisher winning fast time and the trophy dash, while Willy Frank (Canim Lake) claimed both the heat and the main event.
For the Street Stock Invitational, a field of 10 cars battled it out for the main-event prize. And for Fort St. John’s John Plumb, the trip was well worth it as he was successful in claiming the checkered flag in the main event.
Plumb drove an additional 12 hours out of his way to attend the races due to flooding and road closures in the Pine Pass area, north of Mackenzie.
Fast time in the Street Stock Invitational went to local Derek Christianson, while the trophy dash was won by Williams Lake’s Bob Lowen.
Coming up at Thunder Mountain Speedway July 23 is Christmas in July featuring a Total Destruction Demolition Derby.
Anyone interested in entering the demolition derby must pre-register as soon as possible. To register or for more information visit www.thundermountainspeedway.ca.