LOLzilla
07-31-2012, 09:56 AM
"The proposed multi-million dollar raceway planned northeast of Calgary is being touted as a world class facility with Western Canada’s longest track.
Dominic Young with Rockyview Motorsports Park (RMP), a group of businessmen proposing to build the $30-million track near Airdrie, said the closest similar racing facility would be in California or Nevada.
The private group has negotiated an agreement to purchase about 200 hectares of land to build the first phase of the project, which will feature a 4.5 km track, part of an expansive development estimated in total at just under 1,300 hectares.
The RMP is also hoping to develop an executive airport, retail and industrial businesses in the area.
Earlier reports indicated that the development is located five to 10 km. east of Airdrie and just north of Hwy. 567, but Young declined to confirm the site noting development applications haven’t been filed.
Young, a former partner with audit and consulting firm Deloitte, said the project is “well situated.”
“We’re not trying to use Grade 1 agricultural land for this project,” he said.
“It’s relatively sparsely populated from a residence perspective.
“In terms of the specific location, it has great access, close by in terms of access for the user groups.”
The first phase of the development is also slated to include a 0.6 km drag strip, trackside luxury car parking, and a 1.2 km kart track.
Young said he’s been involved in the development of the project for more than a year, following the closure last year of Race City.
The facility is being built to respond to the need in the area for a decent track and not necessarily to attract events such as Indy Car races, although the facility would be able to host that magnitude of event, he said.
“We’re not convinced that that’s a money-making proposition,” he told reporters.
But Young said there’s an opportunity to draw races such as the Porsche GT3 and Ferrari 458 series.
Ryan Ockey, who was a member of a committee organized by Ald. Shane Keating to look into a possible race track site, said he’s seen the location and it’s perfect.
There are exciting elevation changes that will challenge even the most experienced driver, he said.
Ockey, who drives a Ferrari, a Porsche and a Lamborghini, said the RMP has put together a solid, definable business plan with reasonable objectives.
“There were lots of pie in the sky that we looked at,” he said.
“We’re supportive of it because it looks like it’s going to work,” said Ockey, who’s talking with RMP about being a potential club member.
If everything falls into place, RMP expects to open the track early 2014.
[email protected]
On Twitter: SUNRenatoGandia
Fast facts
Track details:
– 4.5 km track
– Built to Grand Am specifications
– Longest track in Western Canada
– High-speed straight
– 12-18 corners
– Elevation changes
– Polymer modified
– Asphalt surface
– Paved run-offs
– Safe rails
Select future amenities
– Expanded, multi-configurable road course
– Garages
– Skid pad
– Off road course
– Grandstand seating
– Expanded car maintenance and services
– Car dealers
– Fuel and tire shops
– Winter driving course"
Source: http://www.calgarysun.com/2012/07/30/plans-for-calgary-area-raceway-announced
Dominic Young with Rockyview Motorsports Park (RMP), a group of businessmen proposing to build the $30-million track near Airdrie, said the closest similar racing facility would be in California or Nevada.
The private group has negotiated an agreement to purchase about 200 hectares of land to build the first phase of the project, which will feature a 4.5 km track, part of an expansive development estimated in total at just under 1,300 hectares.
The RMP is also hoping to develop an executive airport, retail and industrial businesses in the area.
Earlier reports indicated that the development is located five to 10 km. east of Airdrie and just north of Hwy. 567, but Young declined to confirm the site noting development applications haven’t been filed.
Young, a former partner with audit and consulting firm Deloitte, said the project is “well situated.”
“We’re not trying to use Grade 1 agricultural land for this project,” he said.
“It’s relatively sparsely populated from a residence perspective.
“In terms of the specific location, it has great access, close by in terms of access for the user groups.”
The first phase of the development is also slated to include a 0.6 km drag strip, trackside luxury car parking, and a 1.2 km kart track.
Young said he’s been involved in the development of the project for more than a year, following the closure last year of Race City.
The facility is being built to respond to the need in the area for a decent track and not necessarily to attract events such as Indy Car races, although the facility would be able to host that magnitude of event, he said.
“We’re not convinced that that’s a money-making proposition,” he told reporters.
But Young said there’s an opportunity to draw races such as the Porsche GT3 and Ferrari 458 series.
Ryan Ockey, who was a member of a committee organized by Ald. Shane Keating to look into a possible race track site, said he’s seen the location and it’s perfect.
There are exciting elevation changes that will challenge even the most experienced driver, he said.
Ockey, who drives a Ferrari, a Porsche and a Lamborghini, said the RMP has put together a solid, definable business plan with reasonable objectives.
“There were lots of pie in the sky that we looked at,” he said.
“We’re supportive of it because it looks like it’s going to work,” said Ockey, who’s talking with RMP about being a potential club member.
If everything falls into place, RMP expects to open the track early 2014.
[email protected]
On Twitter: SUNRenatoGandia
Fast facts
Track details:
– 4.5 km track
– Built to Grand Am specifications
– Longest track in Western Canada
– High-speed straight
– 12-18 corners
– Elevation changes
– Polymer modified
– Asphalt surface
– Paved run-offs
– Safe rails
Select future amenities
– Expanded, multi-configurable road course
– Garages
– Skid pad
– Off road course
– Grandstand seating
– Expanded car maintenance and services
– Car dealers
– Fuel and tire shops
– Winter driving course"
Source: http://www.calgarysun.com/2012/07/30/plans-for-calgary-area-raceway-announced