FORKS — The roar of engines for the West End Thunder Club’s drag races at Forks Municipal Airport is in danger of being silenced.
The races, which temporarily shut down the airport, violate a grant funding agreement between the city of Forks and the Federal Aviation Administration, said Wade Bryant, manager of the administration’s Seattle Airport District office in Renton.
The airport, which is owned by the city, has received about $1.1 million in grants from the Federal Aviation Administration since 1949.
The last grant was awarded in 1994, according to Bryant’s office.
Bryant said any airport receiving grant funding through the Federal Aviation Administration cannot close for non-aviation uses without written approval.
The city did consult with the Airport District Office’s civil engineer Jeff Winter about the races, but no formal permission was granted, Bryant said.
Such a violation would put the future of drag races at Forks Municipal Airport in jeopardy, including the last races of this season scheduled Sept. 9 and 10.
Forks Mayor Nedra Reed and City/Attorney Planner Rod Fleck said they are looking into the matter and consulting with legal experts familiar with the policies of the Federal Aviation Administration.
“The city would not willfully violate any of our FAA requirements,” Reed said.
“We would not have gone forth without concurrence and discussing it with the FAA.”
Races jump-start economy
Canceling the races, which began this year, would be a financial blow to both the West End Thunder Club and city of Forks, those involved in economic development agree.
The races have jump-started the city’s economy with packed motels, busy restaurants and increased sales at retail stores, said Forks Chamber of Commerce Director Marcia Bingham.
School clubs and other nonprofit organizations in the Forks area also have benefited from the races by selling concessions and parking cars, said West End Thunder Club President Phil Arbeiter.
People from all over the state have attended the races both to watch and participate, Arbeiter said.
West End Thunder has hosted six races since May 20.
The races draw an average crowd of about 2,500 people and 85 participants, Arbeiter said.
Both spectators and racers pay entry fees — $5 and $25 respectively — which would amount to about $87,750 in revenue, based on Arbeiter’s averages.
