FORKS — The roar of drag races will fill the air at the Forks Municipal Airport during five weekends this summer now that the Federal Aviation Administration has given the go-ahead for this season.
The city received notice of approval for the West End Thunder drag racing series late Thursday from the Northwest Mountain Region of the FAA, said Mayor Bryon Monohon on Friday.
Races are planned May 19-20, June 9-10, July 14-15, Aug. 11-12 and Sept. 15-16, confirmed West End Thunder President Cary Bourm.
“I’m really ecstatic about it,” Bourm said. “It’s great and should be good for the whole community.”
The City Council is scheduled to consider its agreement with West End Thunder on April 9, when it meets at 7:30 p.m. in the council conference room at 500 East Division St.
The races were in doubt because of an FAA policy that prohibits airports with grant obligations to close for non-aviation uses. The city airport has such obligations.
The FAA had told the city that races at the airport could be permitted this season if the city filed an acceptable application with the federal agency by Feb. 28.
The city did file the nine-page application on time.
“This is truly good news and is greatly appreciated,” Monohon said.
“We have worked very hard to reach this point, and the FAA has been very fair in their interactions with the city. “
The West End Thunder drag racing club has conducted a summer racing series has been held at the Forks Municipal Airport since 2006.
The city of Forks, which owns the airport, and West End Thunder were granted an exception in August 2006 and extensions after that.
In 2010, the FAA denied the city’s request for an extension and was told the 2011 season would be the last.
That changed on Thursday, and now that approval has been given for this summer’s slate of race dates, supporters are seeking FAA clearance for the next few years.
The city has requested a continuation of the use of the Forks Municipal Airport by West End Thunder beyond 2012
The FAA’s approval issued last week applies only to this summer.
“We thoroughly understand that this permission is for only 2012 and does not reflect any final position of the FAA on the period beyond 2012,” Monohon said.
FAA personnel have “told us that they have a lot of things they are working on and we will touch base again probably in May,” Monohon said.
