Kart Racing Club finds new home in Strathmore

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

Facing too many road blocks in Calgary, the Calgary Kart Racing Club recently ended their five-year-long search for a new location, settling in Strathmore in hopes of making an impact in the community.
The racing organization tried to stay in Calgary but the red tape was becoming overwhelming, and as a result the club left the Varsity Race Track and moved their attraction to a piece of land northwest of Eagle Lake.
“We were homeless for a year and our club has been around since the early ’60s, this isn’t the first time this has happened,” said John Kwong, Calgary Kart Racing Club president.
“It felt that we were banging our heads against the wall trying to stay in Calgary. This option came up and we overcame the fact that we’ve always been in the City of Calgary, which was unusual for most motorsports facilities.”
Kwong eventually approached the Town of Strathmore to look at building a park in the area, and through numerous meetings with Town Council and administration got the approval to build the NorthStar Raceway at the Strathmore Motorsports Park.
The $600,000 project commenced in July 2014 and finished in October of the same year.
Before construction could commence, Town Council and Wheatland County struggled with issues surrounding traffic, road conditions of Rural Road 250 and future development.
“Coming out to Strathmore was a breath of fresh air, dealing with the city administration and the location was fantastic,” Kwong added.
Now that the track has opened officially the town is hoping it will be a popular amenity in Strathmore.
“We’re excited, when we first started talking to John and his group and sort of the process we went through,” said Nelson.
“We’re hoping it’s going to bring people in who will frequent our restaurants and hotels and maybe have a look around the town to see what else we have to offer as well.”
She added with the addition of the track could potentially increase the opportunities for other recreational businesses to follow.
On May 31, the track officially opened up with their first race and saw great success with the racers.
The levels that are offered on the track are junior classes, which are ages eight to 15, and senior classes that run from 15 to people over 60.
The club has an 11-race plan for the rest of the season including the Club Championship, while the Alberta Mini Racing Association will use the track on alternate weekends. The Rocky Mountain Motards will also occasionally will be using the facility.
Kwong hopes down the road the facility will host a national event.