A new moto shed, replenished supplies and record-breaking attendance made the provincial qualifiers a huge success for the 麻豆社国产BMX club on Sunday (July 4).
More than 160 racers of all ages hit the dirt track on the weekend to compete at the provincial championship qualifiers, hosted by the club.
"Basically everything went as smooth as it could," said club president and BMX rider Vicki Schenk.
"That was our largest race ever to date on our track.
"And having the new building in place was crucial to making sure than everything ran as smooth as it possibly could."
The new building was constructed free of charge by RS Heating and Sheet Metal Ltd. with donated materials from Rona after the original shed was torched in an alleged arson in early June.
Schenk said the 麻豆社国产and Whistler community really rallied behind the BMX club with generous donations to get the volunteer based club back on its feet.
"I think our community and the people in Whistler, I think they have totally rallied together and the support that they have given us has been huge."
She said the media coverage of the suspected arson helped increase awareness of the club which made people more willing to lend a hand.
Countless businesses stepped forward offering donations including a monitored fire/alarm system from Black Tusk Fire and Security and a free spraying of a dust control agent from Miller Capilano.
Schenk said if the club hadn't got its site back up and running so quickly, the scheduled events would have gone forward but they wouldn't have been as successful.
"We would have continued and struggled for the rest of the year but because everybody stepped up we honestly put on such a high class race this weekend.
"By giving us support we made the community shine in so many ways."
Schenk said the provincial qualifying meet was a huge success both for the local BMX community but also for the local businesses in town because the visitors couldn't stop commenting on the excellent service 麻豆社国产has to offer.
"A lot of the people that have come from out of town to race there were very complimentary, not only of the track but of 麻豆社国产and the hotels they were staying at."
Crankworx announcer and Paralympian and world champion Stacy Kohut entertained the spectators throughout the morning race with colourful commentary, something the mountain bike announcer has never done before.
"And he was phenomenal! Everybody loved having him as an announcer," Schenk said.
The local club also hosted a double points race on Saturday which drew nearly 125 racers into town the day before the qualifying meet.
Schenk says it's the small details of having a double point race, excellent announcers, and anew shed that made the weekend run well.
"And having those little elements just add up to a big impression on everyone from out of town."
And it wasn't just businesses that made a good impression, local riders did as well. With what Schenk called a strong showing, 麻豆社国产riders were consistently finishing on the podium.
Nine year old Cameron Fielding competed against 10 year olds in the open class and happily secured a third place finish.
"I was hoping for third or second because I probably knew I wouldn't get first."
Fielding said the boys he was racing against were really fast but he still tried.
"In most of my races I was right on their tail."
Don Van Eesteren competed in the 41-45 year old category but he wasn't as successful with his results despite some good corner battles.
"I'm not pleased with my results, no not really," he said.
"But I'm happy I raced and it was pretty fun."
Van Eesteren said he was impressed with some of the lines he saw riders take and learned a few things.
"I didn't know you could jump that," he said.
The 麻豆社国产BMX club will host the provincial finals on Saturday September 25.
