The 09 season is the most important in our club and track history. Westwood has decided to move on and I wish them all the best. The challenges that we have as a club are not great but they do however require our memberships involvement.We have one project in particular that no one wants or likes to do and that is tire wall changes. Earlier this year the club decided to run the track in reverse direction and the direction was to change after this next weekend. The tire walls have not been modified or adjusted in order to allow this to happen.

Why you ask?

Because we are all so busy in our day to day lives that many of us have not made GMR hands on work a priority.  I am not trying to make anyone feel bad here because I truly understand.  The problem is that the work still needs to be done.

I would ask that each and everyone of us do what ever we can to come out and assist in the next work day at the track so that this job can be made easy.

Peter will be posting the next work day on the web site and I would guess it will be either the 25th or the 26th of April.

I remember when we would see 100 plus people out here working for 6 or 8 hours and the work completed was amazing. Those people are still here and we can do this job and do it quickly if we get support from our members. A new tradition has started and that is the daily barbeque to feed the volunteers. It has been a time to share and to visit. It is a time to laugh and develop new friendships like never before. Things have changed.

This is a new day people a new beginning and I can tell you that the changes have been exciting to see happen. There is a buzz around the pits and people are enjoying the projects like they did when we first arrived here in Chilliwack. The place is different and I for one feel more at home than in the past. I once again enjoy coming down to the track and puttering or helping someone with their project.

Please consider these words and come out to the track and experience the change!

Russ

VIKA Open House

As a supporter of VIKA and as their sound engineer, I was on the Island this past Saturday at their “Open House” to answer any questions the public may have had regarding noise.

I had the opportunity of viewing their property prior to the open house and I can tell all of you that they are on the right track.

I was able to meet and discuss this project with the Mayor and Councillor of the North Cowichan Municipality. They are definitely in favour.

The open house was a lead-up to the “Public Hearing” on rezoning which takes place on Thursday, March 26th. I will be attending this meeting in support and to offer my expertise. After the public hearing, the Council will vote for approval at their next scheduled Council Meeting, usually within 10 days.

Folks, this looks really encouraging. I think it’s going to GO.

Best of luck to VIKA and all the hard work and trying times they have endured. My hat is off to all of the VIKA executive.

Submitted by Mike Gregg

Tonight we had our monthly meeting and informed our members that the club will be going down a new path for the 2009 season. With all the issues we have faced dealing with the many different opinions regarding which direction karting should go, as well as the changes made at Cart, B.C., we have decided to change our fate and do what is best for Westwood. Tonight we informed our members that we will be racing at a new track, and the amount of races at Cart, B.C. will be reduced to 2, the March 28th/29th race and the June 13th/14th race, and the balance of our race season will be at the new Westwood Karting Track at Mission Raceway Park.

As excited as our members are about the news, I want to make it clear that we want to support Cart, B.C as much as we can. We acknowledge the amount of money, time and effort it took to create Cart, B.C., and we do not want to see Cart, B.C. go anywhere. But it is unfortunate we could not come to  common ground and work together. As dedicated and driven Coastal and Cart, B.C are to succeed, Westwood equals that passion and commitment to the survival of our club.

We look forward to supporting Cart, B.C. in the future and I hope someday we can unite and build the sport together. But at this time Westwood is thrilled at the opportunity we have and we are excited to promote the sport of karting thru our club at our new facility.

I will talk to you soon and if you have any questions please call me anytime.

Best regards, Richard- President, Westwood Karting Association