Author: OPDA Administrator

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2024 OPDA Annual General Meeting

Please be advised that the 2024 Okanagan Precision Driving Association Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Wednesday, November 13 at 7:00 PM using a Teams virtual meeting session. Members are invited to join the meeting at that time using the link sent your email. Note that you must be a member of the OPDA to vote at the meeting.

Elections

There are four vacant 2-year voting board positions up for election this year. If you are interested in giving back to the club, please consider throwing your hat in the ring. Duties vary but expect to attend one meeting per month to deal with club business.

  • President
  • Vice-President
  • Secretary
  • Director

Vacant Roles

Each year several non-voting operational roles become available within the club. Without volunteers stepping forward to help in these positions, the club cannot operate. If you are willing to help out in any capacity or would like more information on any role, please reply to this message or reach out to any board member.

  • Course Design
  • Trailer Hauling
  • Timing and Scoring
  • Registration and Membership
  • Novice Support
  • Sponsorship Coordinator
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2024 Okanagan Autocross Championship Results

The 2024 OPDA Okanagan Autocross season is in the books. The Okanagan Precision Driving Association had a busy year hosting a total of twenty autocross championship events from April 15 through September 8, capped by our 2-day Eliminator fun event in late September.

Congratulation to all our winners and runners-up with special mention to Amanda Schuffels for being the first woman to enter the OPDA Topgun ranks by winning the Vernon Hotshot Championship.

Here are our 2024 champions. Note that Hotshot champions are permanently moved to the Topgun category for the next season.

ChampionshipWinner
Overall ChampionshipNick Gunner
Kelowna Topgun ChampionKurt Breton
Vernon Topgun ChampionNick Gunner
Kelowna Hotshot ChampionCaleb Loewen
Vernon Hotshot ChampionAmanda Schuffels
Vernon Eliminator ChampionMatt Phillips
Rookie of the YearEuan Henderson
Most ConesWayne Terai

For a consolidated championship history, visit our Championship Results page. For detailed information on the 2024 and previous season results, visit the OPDA Forum.

2024 OPDA Championship Award Winners

Our 2024 OPDA Okanagan Autocross Trophy Winners
Overall Champions Nick Gunner (1), Steve Gunner (2), and Amanda Schuffels (3)
2024 Kelowna Hotshot Championship: Caleb Loewen (1), Amanda Schuffels (2), Remi Ouellet (3)
2024 Vernon Hotshot Championship: Amanda Schuffels (1), Ed Christianson (2), Owen Wright (3)
2024 Kelowna Topgun Championship: Kurt Breton (1), Matt Phillips (2), Nick Gunner (3)
2024 Vernon Topgun Championship: Nick Gunner (1), Richard Matte (2), Shaun Christianson
2024 Rookie Champion Euan Henderson
Kal Tire’s Phil Davidson receives appreciation award from President Steve Gunner and VP Mike Vasko
Most Cones award winner Wayne Terai
2024 Eliminator Champion Matt Phillips
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Event Attendance Caps

In an effort to provide drivers with a minimum number of runs at each event, the Okanagan Precision Driving Association board has implemented the following policy capping the number of drivers that may enter an event.

“Attendance at OPDA Autocross events shall be limited to 40 participants except for evening events before May 15 and after July 31 when attendance shall be limited to 35 participants. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Clerk of the Course.”

The policy takes into consideration both the available daylight and lot rental hours for Kelowna evening and Vernon morning and afternoon events.

Please note that the policy will be enforced starting with the August 23 Kelowna event. To avoid missing an event, members are advised to register early. Note that you may cancel your registration without penalty prior to the event. No-shows will face a $10 charge.

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Kal Tire Joins Okanagan Autocross as a Gold Level Sponsor

The Okanagan Autocross is proud to welcome Kal Tire as a 2024 Gold Level Sponsor. With over 260 stores across the country, Kal Tire is one of Canada’s largest independent tire service dealers and one of North America’s largest commercial tire dealers.

OPDA President Steve Gunner (handshake right) seals the sponsorship deal with Kal Tire’s Phil Davidsen as OPDA members look on [July 19, 2024]

Kal Tire is also the largest retreader in Canada of medium truck tires with 16 manufacturing facilities. Kal Tire’s Mining Tire Group is an international leader in mining tire service and supply, servicing more than 150 mine sites across five continents.

Kal Tire is an Okanagan Valley success story. Founded by Tom Foord in 1953, and based in Vernon, BC, Kal Tire employs more than 6,500 team members internationally.

The Okanagan Precision Driving Association board and members would like to thank Kal Tire for their generous support of our efforts to further motorsports to the Okanagan Valley.

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CSN Collision/Lift Auto Group Renews OPDA Sponsorship

The Okanagan Precision Driving Association is pleased to announce that CSN Collision and Lift Auto Group have signed on again as a bronze sponsor for the 2024 season.

With over 200 locations and more OEM certifications than any other network, CSN Collision is Canada’s choice for quality collision repair.

The OPDA is grateful for CSN’s generous support in our effort to build motorsports in the Okanagan Valley and recommends CSN Collision‘s quality repair services to all OPDA Okanagan Autocross members, friends and family.

Lift Auto Group is a leader in the collision repair industry. Headquartered in Kelowna, Lift currently owns and operates locations in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario with plans for expansion coast to coast.

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2024 Introduction to Autocross Driver Training

The Okanagan Precision Driving Association is pleased to announce its third annual Introduction to Autocross Driver Training event on Saturday, April 20, 2024.

The event will consist of a full day of Autocross driver training, beginning with classroom instruction, followed by graduated in-car, on-course training and culminating in Autocross mini-competition.

Our goal is to introduce beginners to the fun and exciting sport of Autocross. Sorry, but experienced Autocrossers will not be accepted.

Entrants will receive a free 2024 membership in the Okanagan Precision Driving Association. An OPDA membership, normally costing $50, entitles members to register and compete in any 2024 Okanagan Autocross event.

If you have been itching to test your skills at a motorsport competition but have been hesitant due to the intensity of an official event, this day is designed for you.

For the course curriculum and registration, visit our Introduction to Autocross page.

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New Policy Changes

At its October 11 meeting, the OPDA Executive approved three new policies that members should be aware of.

PolicyPolicy TextPurpose
Event Registration DeadlinesThe event registration deadline for Friday and Saturday events is midnight on Thursday, and the registration deadline for Sunday events is midnight on Friday.To allow volunteeer staff time to properly prepare for each event.
Random Vehicle InspectionsAt each event, one vehicle will be randomly chosen for re-inspection to verify its accurate classification.To ensure proper classification in the event of vehicle modifications over season.
No Show FeeRegistered drivers who fail to attend shall have a no-show-fee of $10 deducted from their event refund.To ensure cancellations are done in advance to provide accurate event preparation.

OPDA Policies and Procedures are a work in progress. To see all published policies, download this document. If you have any questions or comments, please contact a board member.

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2023 Okanagan Autocross Championship Results

The Okanagan Autocross 2023 season is now complete. The Okanagan Precision Driving Association hosted a total of twenty autocross competition events from May through September.

Congratulation to all our winners and runners-up especially to Kurt for his dominance in Hotshot and Rob for his brilliant season in sweeping all four championships in which he was eligible.

Here are our 2023 championship winners. Note that Hotshot champions are permanently moved to the Topgun category for the next season.

ChampionshipWinner
Overall ChampionshipRob Hamilton
Kelowna Topgun ChampionRob Hamilton
Vernon Topgun ChampionRob Hamilton
Kelowna Hotshot ChampionKurt Breton
Vernon Hotshot ChampionKurt Breton
Vernon Eliminator ChampionRob Hamilton
Rookie of the YearOwen Wright
Most ConesWayne Terai

For a consolidated championship history, visit our Championship Results page. For detailed information on the 2023 and previous season results, visit the OPDA Forum.

2023 OPDA Championship Award Winners

2023 OPDA Overall Championship – 1st Rob Hamilton, 2nd Kurt Breton, 3rd Nick Gunner
2023 OPDA Kelowna Topgun Championship – 1st Rob Hamilton, 2nd Nick Gunner, 3rd Doug Floer
2023 OPDA Kelowna Hotshot Championship – 1st Kurt Breton, 2nd Caleb Loewen, 3rd Ian Jones
2023 OPDA Vernon Topgun Championship – 1st Rob Hamilton, 2nd Doug Floer, 3rd Nick Gunner
2023 OPDA Vernon Hotshot Championship – 1st Kurt Breton, 2nd Peter Pistner, 3rd Paul Chou
2023 OPDA Most Cones Award – Wayne Terai
2023 OPDA Rookie of the Year – Owen Wright
2023 OPDA Eliminator Champion – Rob Hamilton
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The National Bank of Canada Joins Okanagan Autocross Sponsorship Program

The Okanagan Precision Driving Association is pleased to announce the addition of the National Bank of Canada as a 2023 Okanagan Autocross sponsor.

The National Bank of Canada is the sixth largest commercial bank in Canada. Headquartered in Montreal, the National Bank serves over 2.4 million personal clients and has branches in most Canadian provinces. NBC also provides a comprehensive suite of online banking services to customers across the country.

Darren Kiley (right), NBC’s Regional Manager, attended the OPDA’s August 4 Kelowna autoslalom event to present the award to OPDA President Steve Gunner who was assisted by OPDA member and NBC employee Stephanie Boyle. Darren emphasized the Bank’s continuing efforts to reach out to and support grassroots organizations such as the Okanagan Precision Driving Association.

The OPDA is very grateful for the NBC’s generous support and highly recommends their financial services to all OPDA Okanagan Autocross members, friends and family.

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CSN Collision/Lift Auto Group Join OPDA Sponsorship Program

The Okanagan Precision Driving Association is pleased to announce CSN Collision and Lift Auto Group as 2023 Okanagan Autocross sponsors.

With over 200 locations and more OEM certifications than any other network, CSN Collision is Canada’s choice for quality collision repair.

The OPDA is grateful for CSN’s generous support and recommends CSN Collision‘s quality repair services to all OPDA Okanagan Autocross members, friends and family.

Lift Auto Group is a leader in the collision repair industry. Headquartered in Kelowna, Lift currently owns and operates locations in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario with plans for expansion coast to coast.