Drag racing set for Grand Forks Airport Sept. 26
A drag racer performs a burnout before a run. Drag racing is scheduled for Sept. 26 at Grand Forks Municipal Airport. I
File photo — Chris Chow
Drag racing is scheduled for Grand Forks Municipal Airport later this month, with the Grand Forks Drag Race set for Saturday, Sept. 26.
BC DragiT has opened registration for the event and lists Sept. 26 as race day at Grand Forks Airport. Tech inspection and registration are planned for the afternoon of Friday, Sept. 25, at a location still to be announced.
Gates are scheduled to open at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, with a racers’ meeting at 8 a.m. BC DragiT says there will be no technical inspection on race day, and vehicle classes will be determined that day.
The organizer’s registration form directs racers looking for pre-tech information or other details to Mark Boutilier through BC DragiT.
The Grand Forks race is listed separately from the BC DragiT Challenge, the organization’s drag-and-drive event. Registration material for the 2026 Challenge listed dates of June 17 to 22.
In the drag-and-drive format, racers compete with street-legal vehicles at multiple race locations and drive those same vehicles between stops. Support vehicles are not permitted to follow competitors or supply them during the event.
Grand Forks council has considered proposals for drag racing at the municipal airport several times in recent years.
Jackie Klotz and Christie Newman presented an airport drag-racing proposal to council in April 2023. Council approved the event in principle, subject to conditions including safety plans, insurance, consultation with airport stakeholders and further work with city staff.
Mark and Dianne Boutilier, representing BC DragiT Challenge and MBT Holdings Ltd., brought another proposal to council in September 2024.
Council approved the use of Grand Forks Municipal Airport by MBT Holdings for a one-day local drag race and directed staff to work with the company on the event date, insurance, safety plans, cleanup and the aviation notices required to close the airport during the event.
At the time, the Boutiliers told council they would provide event insurance, could handle setup and takedown, and hoped to work with local organizations. They also said funds raised would be returned to local charities and groups supporting the event.
The City of Grand Forks owns and operates the municipal airport, which has a 4,300-foot runway.
BC DragiT has not yet posted a spectator admission price or an exact racing start time following the 8 a.m. racers’ meeting.
A historic mine opening near Rossland’s Kootenay Columbia Trail will be permanently sealed, with a three-week trail closure beginning Sept. 28 so crews can complete the work.