FEW SHOWS, BUT LOTS OF RACING
This weekend is a bit of an anomaly as there are only a half-dozen or so car events taking place across the province, and only one for the public on Saturday.
That said, there’s plenty of racing action going on, so the weekend isn’t a complete writeoff.
On Saturday I’m invited to the care facility that looked after my dear sister-in-law before she died. They are having a small private car show for the residents and a barbecue for residents, staff and family.
On Sunday, I’m heading east for the always-great Fortins Village Classic Car Show, in Chilliwack and it looks like the weather is going to be much better than what we had last weekend on Father’s Day.
On Saturday there’s also the London Heritage Farm Classic and Collectible Car Show in Richmond on a wonderful farm setting. The show runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and both spectators and show vehicles are admitted free of charge.
Last weekend I checked out the first Strong Car Club Car Show at the George Preston Arena and was pretty surprised to see the quality of cool cars at the show, with all proceeds going to mental illness causes.
Luckily, the Saturday show at KMS Tools in Coquitlam had good weather although the skies looked threatening all day. I ran across what to me is the holy grail of ’60s iron — the 1969 Firebird Sprint with the overhead cam six-cylinder engine. This always seemed ultra exotic to me back in the day.
This particular car was found on the Prairies and is going through a slow restoration, owner Ken Switzer told me, adding that when he lived in England he and a buddy each owned one. They must have seemed more normal then for the Europeans to have the OHC 6 instead of a V-8.
In England, the cars were very well optioned, but they obviously did not trust power steering as most of the Firebirds he ran across overseas had manual steering.
Just because there aren’t the usual amount of events doesn’t mean you shouldn’t load up a kid or two and hit a car show this weekend. They’ll thank you for it. SHOWS TODAY THROUGH SUNDAY What: Annual Peach City Beach Cruise Where: Penticton Beach, Penticton Admission: Free
When: Today: Wine tasting, cruise, and vendors. Saturday: Car show, vendors. Sunday: Gospel Elvis, trophies and awards, O.S.N.S. Motorcycle raffle draw Info: 250-487-2303 or info@peachcitybeachcruise.com Website: peachcitybeachcruise.com
SATURDAY
What: London Heritage Farm Classic & Collector Car Show
Where: London Heritage Farm, 6511 Dyke Rd., Richmond
Admission: Free
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Registration: Before 11 a.m. Free and all vehicles welcome Website: londonheritagefarm.ca SUNDAY What: Show & Shine Fundraiser for Autism Where: Pacific Autism, 3688 Cessna Dr., Richmond
When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: Free, donations welcome Registration: 9 a.m. $20 and open to all vehicles and motorcycles Info: 604-724-7167 or info@coastalautocentre.com Website: coastalautocentre.com
What: 14th Annual Fortins Village Classic Car Show Where: Downtown Chilliwack When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission: Free
Registration: 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. $10 and open to all vehicles
Info: 604-792-4576 or info@downtownchilliwack.com Website: downtownchilliwack.com What: VCCC Victoria Chapter Swap
Meet Where: Saanichton Fairgrounds, Saanichton
When: Gates open at 7 a.m. Admission: $2. Free parking Info: 250-413-7659 Website: victoria.vccc.com
What: 12th Annual Burns Lake Show & Shine Where: Burns Lake Spirit Square, Burns Lake
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Admission: Free
Registration: 9 a.m. $10 and open to all makes and models Info: 250-692-5721 or burnslakeclassiccars@hotmail.com Website:
burnslakeclassiccars.webs.com COMPETITION TODAY What: Drag racing
Where: Mission Raceway Park, 32670 Dyke Rd., Mission, When: Racing starts at 5:30 p.m. and ends at approximately 11 p.m. (weather permitting). Info: 604-826-6315 or info@missionraceway.com Website: missionraceway.com
SATURDAY
What: Open wheel night Where: Saratoga Speedway, 2380 Macaulay Rd., Black Creek When: Qualifying at 6 p.m., Racing at 7 p.m. Info: 1-250-923-2982 or race@saratogaspeedway.bc.ca Website: saratogaracing.ca
What: Oval track racing Where: Agassiz Speedway, 5045 Cemetery Rd., Agassiz
When: Time trials 5:30 p.m., Racing 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Info: 604-792-3278 or agassizspeedway@telus.net WEBSITE: agassizspeedway.com
What: Dirt track racing Where: Merritt Speedway, Merritt When: Time trials 5 p.m. Racing 6 p.m. Info: 250-315 0474 or email msca1991@hotmail.com Website: merrittspeedway.ca