The Forks-based West End Thunder drag racing association is holding a public meeting on Thursday, May 12 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Olympic Natural Resources Center. The topic of the meeting is to provide an update on negotiations between West End Thunder and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

West End Thunder is in the last year of an extension granted by the FAA for use of the Forks Municipal Airport for the eighth-mile drag races held over four to five weekends during the warm weather season. The West End Thunder 2011 season is scheduled to start, weather permitting, Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22. Future drag racing and show and shine car classic car shows are set for the weekends of June 18 and 19, July 16 and 17, August 20 and 21 and September 10 and 11.

An announcement begin passed around to businesses on the West End by West End Thunder officials reads: "We would like to invite you to meet Kristine Reeves, representative from Sen. Patty Murray’s office. She will be here to discuss West End Thunder’s continuing use of the Forks Airport for drag racing events."

For more information call Cary Bourm at 640-1366 or Pete Wilder at 640-0515.