The view from Charles Gal's kart during the main media race. (Photo: Charles Gal)

Vince Cullen, head of the mechanics program at Sturgeon Composite High School, explains cornering strategy to Gail Horner, Sturgeon County school board trustee. (Photo: Charles Gal)

Kart racing a growing sport at Stratotech Park

CHARLES GAL, Special to The Journal, FORT SASKATCHEWAN

Exposure to kart racing is creating enthusiasts for the sport, says the man who realized his dream by building Stratotech Park International Raceway.

Racetrack owner Dan Beith believes that as more people try karting, more will take up the sport as a serious endeavour. The Edmonton Kart Club doubled its membership in the last year alone as a large number of first-time kart drivers tried out the sport and got hooked.

"They (new members) all came out ~and experienced exactly what you guys experienced today; they get interested in it and then get a race kart," Beith said Tuesday after members of the news media tried piloting karts around the track near Fort Saskatchewan.

In addition, a karting club comprised of the "over 35 year old" crowd has emerged at Stratotech Park. Twenty eight kart racing enthusiasts, including Beith himself, meet Wednesday evenings and race one another in very powerful karts built by Bombardier. Recreational karts by definition, these wolves in sheep's clothing are capable of reaching speeds of 124 km/h.

Stratotech Park is also home to a number of motorcycle racing associations.

The Media Kart Race was a co-host venture between the Raceway and Sturgeon Composite High School. It was a way of expressing gratitude for past coverage of Sturgeon Composite High school's mechanics program, headed by Vince Cullen, and promoting karting at the Raceway. Cullen explained that he hopes to make this race an annual event.

Although the media drivers showed varying levels of skill, the prize at the end for all the racers was the smiles on their faces. It didn't matter how well they did in the standings; what mattered was the exhilaration of the experience.

Dan Beith, owner and general manager of Stratotech Park International Raceway, poses with a 125cc, 30 horsepower racing kart equipped with electric start. (Photo: Charles Gal)

Natasja Lloyd, 17, and C.J. Boehm, 16, both from Sturgeon Composite High school helped the drivers during the race with everything from fastening helmet straps to explaining procedures. Lloyd was given the title of race director, while Boehm described his role as more of an overall support to everyone.

Stratotech Park International Raceway's 1,782 metre polymer asphalt racetrack and 500-person grandstand were completed in 2001, and the building, which houses a pro shop, garage and concession, was completed midway through 2002.

The Raceway had been a longtime dream for Beith, 52, a manufacturer of safety equipment until he sold his business and began working full-time to realize of his passion: to build one of the best kart racing tracks on the continent.

The Stratotech Park International Raceway website (www.stratotech.ca) lists events and racing schedules for various groups that use and race at the track.