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
March 14th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
I am a bit surprised but not shocked. We all have considered they might leave in fact we discussed the possibility that they might leave but even thought we hoped they would stay this was not their wish. I like a lot of the Westwood members and think it’s a tragedy that we will not be together as much in 2009. Westwood has as many members that should be admired for their efforts!
WCKC was built on the idea that karting in the lower mainland could unite to be stronger but this was not fully realized or wanted by all. Westwood shared the same facility for several years and I really feel Westwood should to be admired for this attempt. I am extremely impressed we were united this long and it should be celebrated and commended. Westwood, Coastal and CartBC have very different mission statements and mandates and none are more important or correct than any other, they are equally important to each club. They are what they are.
In every tragedy there is always a bright side or something positive that comes from it. When a forest is struck by fire the new forest that grows from the embers and ash is more vibrant and renewed than the one that existed. It is nature’s way to replenish the landscape. Things happen for a reason and when something is lost there is always something that comes from that loss. It is what you make of it and can be seen as a loss or an opportunity. Time will tell if this presents new opportunities for both clubs.
I feel we should wish Westwood all the best and even help them where we can but lets move forward and grow our own club and track the best way we can.
March 15th, 2009 at 11:55 am
Like you Chris I was supprised by this move. It is in my opinion a risky move by the club but one that I hope pays off for them because their success will be kartings success here in the lower mainland. WCKC will win from this decision as well because there is no longer any confussion about what club to join when you race here in Chilliwack and the same will be true if you want to race in Mission. It is my belief that there is no down side for karters only a new opportunity to race on another track and I only have to drive for 45 minutes to get there from my home. I now have 2 different facilities and 3 layouts to race on here in the Valley. For me this is great news.
Our sport is the best kept secret in motorsports and we just doubled the influence our sport has in the Valley.
The only issue I have is that the move to IKF is probably not the best timing because it makes karters spend more money or choose what sanctioning body to belong to and I see this as a minor obstable for people. It would have been more prudent for the exectuive to stay with BCKCA and ASN for the duration of the 09 season and see how things progress. It would have allowed people to move from one club race to the other with no additional cost.
I wish the Westwood club all the best in 09 and future success as they develop their facility.
Russ Walsh
March 17th, 2009 at 11:24 am
I would to thank Russ and Chris for their thoughts, we feel very similiar on a lot of them. However, I would like to clarify one thing that Russ said regarding having to join IKF to race at our club. The only time you have to join IKF is when you race at a Gold Cup event. If you do so, there are two options, $60.00 U.S for the year or a one time race fee of $20.00 U.S. If you are going to race at a club that is affiliated with IKF such as Westwood, you only need to show whatever current license you have i.e. BCKCA/ASN, and Westwood will recognize that license and you are able to race. If you want to be included in the Westwood club points, only then you have to join our club. Westwood will welcome anyone to race if they have a current recognizable license, it’s just that easy!! Thanks, Richard- President, Westwood Karting Association
March 18th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Just prior to my presidency at Westwood we were IKF and everyone who raced needed to be a member of IKF at that time. If that has changed as you say then that is great news for karters here in BC.
The Island looks to be getting their track and say we could see it as soon as next race season. Just think we would then have 4 tracks here in BC and we could run a great Regional race series like we did in the past.
Things seem to be going in the right direction for our sport finally.