5 Best Motorsport racing tracks in Alberta

5 Best Motorsport racing tracks in Alberta

Watching an auto race from on the television in the comfort of your living room, streaming online or at a local bar is luxurious but it cannot be compared to the feeling of visiting the racing track yourself.

Though there are thousands of motorsport racing tracks, not every country leave along province is lucky to have one. Fortunately for Alberta, it is home to several motorsport racing tracks. Here is a review of 5 of its best for both drivers and spectators.

1. Castrol Raceway

Formerly known as Capital raceway, Capital City Raceway Park, Budweiser Motorsports Park and Labatt Raceway, Castrol Raceway is a multi track car racing facility. It is located south of Edmonton, Alberta on a land leased from Edmonton International Airport.

The clay oval was officially opened in 1991 while the drag strip was opened in 1992. This motorsport racing track went on receivership in 1997 after which it was purchased by ten local businessmen and racers including Rob Reeves. It was later reopened in 1998 but several investors have opted out leaving behind only Ron Hodgson and Ron Reeves as the owners.

Castrol raceway features 4,500-seat 3/8 mile clay oval and 8,500-seat ΒΌ mile IHRA sanctioned drag strip. There is also a mini sprint car track, a pro motocross track and a 2.7 km road course that was opened in 2013.

The biggest racing event ever held at this racing track was the annual IHRA Rocky Mountain Nationals which was held on the drag strip. The second largest is the Oil City Cup that featured the world outlaws Sprint Car series. It was held on the oval track

2. Edmonton International Speedway

Also known as Speedway Park, Edmonton International Speedway is a 251 acre multi track motorsport racing facility. It is located in the Hudson and Cumberland neighborhoods or Edmonton, Alberta.

This racing facility features a 4.072 km (2.53 miles) 14-turn road course, a quarter mile short oval and a quarter mile drag strip. At its peak, Edmonton International Speedway has a capacity of about 30,000 fans.

3. Edmonton International Raceway

Edmonton International Raceway was the first racing track to be certified by NACAR in Alberta and it is famous for hosting NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. It hosted its first NASCAR race in 2014.

It is Located right outside Wetaskiwin, Alberta, about 50km south of Edmonton and has a quarter mile paved oval motorsport racing facility.

4. Race City Motorsport Park

Though it was closed on 21st October, 2011, Race City Motorsport Park was a multi track motorsport racing facility located in Calgary, Alberta. It featured a quarter mile drag strip, a half mile paved oval and a 3.2 km 11 turn road course.

Race City Motorsport park was to be closed on October 2009 but Calgary City council extended its lease until 2015. However, their decision was overturned leading to the closure of the racing track on October 21, 2011.

5. Stratotech Park International Raceway

Stratoteck Park International Raceway is yet another racing track in Arberta that has been closed down. It was built in 2001, officially opened in 2002 but later closed in 2013.

It was located 5 minutes from Fort Saskatchewan and had three configurations; a 1200 meter Kart circuit, a 1765 meter Formula Arcobaleno circuit and an 825m Junior circuit. Formula one cars, legends, motorcycles and karts all raced here.