ORRA 27 MAKING AN IMPACT

Okanagan Road Racing Association at Area 27 trains and challenges racers

Itwas the fall of 1990 when British Columbia’s famed Westwood track hosted its final race. Since that time, there were numerous attempts to create the province’s next great motorsport circuit. But for a long time, none of these projects came to fruition.

In February of 2012, Bill Drossos was on a ski trip in the South Okanagan and discovered a large parcel of land that appeared ideally situated for a full-size motorsports circuit. After some research, Bill discovered that the land was within the jurisdiction of the Osoyoos Indian Band.

Through his connections, Bill was able to gain an audience with Chief Clarence Louie with the goal of discussing Drossos’ his vision for world-class motorsports facility. Chief Louie is an Order of Canada recipient. He’s also an outspoken leader who pursues viable and imaginative economic development projects for the benefit of his people.

In fact, it was the chief who personally showed Drossos the present site (not the original land) of the Area 27 track, and encouraged him, saying, “we can get your track built on this site… fast.”

A key step in the creation of Area 27 was Drossos being able to call upon his long-time motorsport friend, legendary Jacques Villeneuve. Arguably Canada’s most successful racer, Villeneuve signed on as one of the track’s co-designers and co-founders. Jacques’ stated goal was a layout to challenge his own skills.

The circuit was constructed during the summer of 2016, and once completed, revealed itself to be one of the most challenging in North America. This, in turn, necessitated the creation of a top-level driving academy.

The original 2016/2017 Academy 27 instructor team included Richard Spenard, Scott Hargrove, Bill Drossos, Patrick Carpentier, Ryley Seibert and Stefan Rzadzinski.

The school’s curriculum was provided to Paul Cooke, at ASN Canada, who placed Academy 27 on ASN’s website as a nationally recognized racing school. Midway through 2017, local resident and renowned racer, Kees Nierop, replaced Richard Spenard as Chief Instructor, and continues in that role to this day.

In 2018, Area 27’s members expressed a keen interest in getting involved in club ra- cing. Kees and Bill – along with several Area 27 members – were able to create two racing series at the track, the spec Radical SR3 championship, and the GT27 Conti Cup series. Trevor and Ryley Seibert had also started the stock car-based RS1 championship that same season.

All of these series were run as school series with ongoing coaching and instruction provided by the organizers as well as the Academy 27 instructor team.

Dramatic Growth

The three racing series have grown dramatically since their inception. Last season saw more than 40 drivers in the GT27 series, 28 drivers in Radical SR3, and over 40 drivers in RS1 stock car series.

During the 2021 season the Okanagan Road Racing Association (ORRA 27) was created as a not-for-profit sanctioning and licensing governing body of motorsports, in partnership with the Osoyoos First Nation.

While the racing still featured the supervision of the Academy 27 professionals, all three series evolved to become much more than ‘school series’ and have grown to become one of the biggest and most competitive amateur racing series in Canada. ORRA 27 was created as an independent entity to organize and supervise all motorsports activities at the Area 27 track.

It is the only Western Canadian motorsports governing body founded entirely by motorsports professionals. Additionally, ORRA 27 has become the first motorsports sanctioning authority to be recognized and operating on traditional and reserve lands. Chief Clarence Louie is an honorary Grand

Marshall who can sometimes be heard on the track’s public address saying, “Drivers, Start Your Engines.”

Chief Instructor, Kees Nierop, had this to say about the racing at Area 27, “Motorsport is in my blood, and I love getting others into the sport. Area 27 has provided us with an opportunity like no other. Bill, Trevor, and myself took the members and coached them in proper motorsport.

“Area 27 has proven to be the perfect place for this endeavour. We have now created three of the most competitive racing series in Canada. Where do you see 20 to 30 cars in one class, and have the top 10 cars qualify within .8 of a second of each other?

“I am so proud of our Area 27 drivers. They have come from absolutely no motorsport experience to becoming highly competitive and fair drivers, on one of North America’s most challenging circuits. Today we have clean, tight and very respectful racing in all our series.”

Scott Hargrove adds, “The racing at Area 27 has been phenomenal. The participants have progressed from what was once only a dream to real wheel-to-wheel competition.”

The team at ORRA 27 have now applied to be directly affiliated with GDS/SDG Canada for a direct connection with the FIA. The FIA has a clear mandate to both grow motorsports and to be seen as being inclusive.

Had it not been for the support of Chief Clarence Louie and the inclusive nature of the Osoyoos Indian Band, none of many outstanding achievements at Area 27 would have ever been realized. IT

- With files from Area 27