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Mayor hopes to bring Sturgis North to Sicamous

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Sicamous may become an event destination for motorcycle enthusiasts attending the Sturgis North motorcycle rally in Salmon Arm in July.

Sturgis North may be expanding east if Sicamous gets the go-ahead to host one of the motorcycle rally’s key events.

Sicamous Mayor Malcolm MacLeod says that when he first heard about the rally, planned for July 13-17 in Salmon Arm, he thought there could be an opportunity for his community to take part. He has since met twice with Sturgis North organizer Ray Sasseville, and his hope now is that Sicamous will be able to host the motorcycle burnout competition.

“What a burnout is, and there’s a number of different ways you can do it, but the safest way to do it is the person goes up on a platform on his motorbike, his front tire is clamped down, they break the back tire loose, they go through the gears, they rev the engine, there’s lots of smoke, lots of noise and, eventually, if he pops his tire, everyone cheers and it’s a great thing,”  MacLeod explained to council. “I know that sounds pretty basic, but believe you me, this is a pretty popular thing.”

The event would take place on the Friday, says MacLeod, who envisions Main Street being closed off between Riverside and Shuswap Avenue, reserved solely for motorcycle parking, from about 1 to 8 p.m. The burnout would run from around 3 to 5 p.m. MacLeod said he’s already talked to the legion about the idea of them hosting a beer garden for the day with a band playing, and having other community groups provide food services. The only thing asked of them in return is that a portion of their profits go to either of the two charities Sturgis North is supporting, the Canadian Cancer Society and the BC Children’s Hospital.

“If it’s done right, the legion would make enough money off that one day to cover their expenses for the year,” said MacLeod.

As for getting the approval of other downtown businesses, MacLeod said he would visit each one personally to get their support.

Though thrilled with the notion of Sicamous being part of Sturgis, the mayor recognized the devil is in the details. For starters, the burnout is being sponsored by the Canadian Motorcycle Drag Racing Association (CMDRA), which would have to approve the location.

For district administrator Alan Harris, risk management is also a concern. The biggest issue for him is insurance. He said that if it’s a sanctioned event, then the CMDRA would have to have the appropriate insurance and the district would have to be named so that it’s protected. Policing and bylaw services would be another concern.

“The biggest thing is when they go to leave, and if you’ve got 2,000 bikes leaving, that’s a bit of an issue,” said MacLeod. “That’s where Carl, the sergeant, we have to figure this all out and see if it’s going to work.”

Sicamous RCMP Sgt. Carl Vinet told the News that he didn’t see why the event couldn’t be held. But he suggested the district would likely need more bylaw officers to deal with parking matters, and Traffic Services may be required to help control what happens on the highway between Sicamous and Salmon Arm. He said, however, that it is difficult to tell what resources will be needed where until there is a plan in place and the logistics are sorted out.

MacLeod noted Sturgis would be providing flaggers and support that would help direct traffic into and out of the community.

“When they leave, they leave the same way, because you don’t want 2,000 motorcycles going everywhere,” said MacLeod.

Sasseville wouldn’t speak on behalf of the CMDRA, but he said the inclusion of Sicamous is part of a greater vision for Sturgis North.

“My whole goal from the start of this is that it grows,” said Sasseville. “The nucleus would be in Salmon Arm, but for all intents and purposes, every year Kamloops would hold events and festivities for those five days so people could go there, same as Sicamous, Revelstoke, Kelowna, Vernon, Armstrong – there would be activities in all these towns so Sturgis North is a more widespread event. You don’t just want people sitting there drinking in the beer gardens all day. You want them to do stuff. But Salmon Arm would be the hub.”

There are five major rides planned for Sturgis that would take riders to communities throughout the Interior. Each one is designated as a fundraiser for either cancer or the children’s hospital.

MacLeod says even if the burnout isn’t approved for Sicamous, the community will still benefit from Sturgis.

“The guys on the bikes, they’re going to ride around, and you’ll see all kinds of motorcycles in town, whether we do anything or not,” said MacLeod.

Hotels and motels throughout the area, including Sicamous, are already booked for the event.

 



Lachlan Labere

About the Author: Lachlan Labere

Editor of the Salmon Arm Observer, Shuswap Market, and Eagle Valley News. I'm always looking for new and exciting ways to keep our readers informed and engaged.
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