New for 2011 at the West End Thunder drags is colorful artwork on the concrete safety barriers that line the raceway. Here the memory Jimmy Davis, one of the founders of West End Thunder and a champion drag racer, is honored.

The West End Thunder drag racing association is setting up for the club’s opening weekend races. Timing boards, grandstands and a cleaning of the runways at Forks Municipal Airport are underway.

The gate to the eighth-mile races kick off opens on Saturday morning, May 21. Races run throughout the day, weather permitting. The racing continues on Sunday, May 22. A Show ‘n Shine classic car show is held at the drag strip during racing hours. Go to www.westendthunder.com for updates and more information.