Powerful waves of thunder will be rolling down from Airport Hill on Saturday night - man-made thunder, generated by the cars and drivers of the Prince George Auto Racing Association.
The new PGARA season gets the green flag with the Turgeon Memorial, held in honour of Roger and Corrine Turgeon, who were part of the local stock car racing scene for decades. Roger - a former PGARA driver, board member and president - died in 2012. Corrine, who served in a number of capacities, most notably treasurer, passed away in 2013. The Turgeons were married for 40 years and spent countless weekends at PGARA and other tracks around the region.
Like all PGARA points meets, the Turgeon Memorial will feature the Canadian Tire street stocks, Chieftan Auto Parts mini stocks and the Tri-Par Rentals hornets. The night will be sponsored by The Prince George Citizen.
PGARA, now in its 66th year of operation, has some big events planned for the season. The first special occasion happens on June 16 when the WESCAR Late Model Sportsman Series makes its annual stop at the oval. The race will also be the first of eight on the WESCAR schedule. WESCAR will also be at PGARA on July 22. Local driver Bob Williams enters the WESCAR season as the defending champion.
Another weekend racing fans won't want to miss is July 7-8, when the monster trucks rumble into Prince George. Tickets for the special occasion can be purchased online at www.ticketsnorth.ca.
The action-packed PGARA schedule continues Aug. 18-19. The first day has been reserved for the Tri-City Street Stocks, a tour that also makes stops in Quesnel and Williams Lake. The second day, Aug. 19, drivers will buckle in for the PGARA Street Stock Invitational.
Perhaps the most crowd-pleasing event on the calendar each season is hit to pass. This year, the metal will be bending Sept. 1-2.
Then, on Sept. 8, PGARA will hold its championship finale, a race in which season points titles will be determined. Champions from 2017 who will be looking for repeats are Darrell Horwath (street stocks), Stephen Woods (mini stocks) and Spencer Forseth (hornets).
All Saturday events at PGARA start with time trials at 6 p.m., while racing gets underway at 7 p.m. On Sundays, time trials are at 1 p.m. and racing is at 2 p.m.
Admission prices for regular events range from free (kids aged 12 and under, seniors and people with handicaps) to $10 for adults. Pricing for special events is marginally higher (see www.pgara.ca for details).
