West End Thunder drag racing has been given the green light for five more summers of weekend drag racing at the Forks Municipal Airport.

The City of Forks announced last week that Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval has been granted for non-aviation use of the airport runways for drag racing for five weekends of racing in the years 2013-17.

West End Thunder organizers have scheduled three, instead of five, weekends of racing, earlier this year – in July, August and September – and haven’t announced any changes to that schedule.

City Attorney/Planner Rod Fleck sent a letter to West End Thunder and other parties involved in the obtaining the extension for the races that began in the mid-2000s that draw thousands of racers, their families and friends, and race spectators. 

Fleck thanked FAA staff for their help in processing the permit, the staff of Sen. Patty Murray and the Senator, the Port of Port Angeles and West End Thunder officers.

Mayor Bryon Monohon also thanked all involved, and said  the agreement “is a testimony to the fact that even when told no, if we really continue to move forward we can succeed.” 

“We need to realize that this is a trust and a gift and we need to treat it responsibly, while we continue to also invest in the aviation services at the airport.”