New Motorsport park "dream come true"

1.8 kilometre motorsports track "like racing on glass"

Jason Fekete, Journal Staff Writer
EDMONTON

"This is living." The slogan is front and centre on Dan Beith's company shirt and he's a man of his words.

Beith is the sole owner of Stratotech Park International Raceway, a new motorsports park 20 minutes northeast of the city on Highway 825, off Manning Drive. Opening this weekend, the track features souped-up go-kart and sport motorcycle racing. The park took three years to complete, but is also the culmination of a lifelong dream and enjoyment of motorsports.

Beith wouldn't specify the total bill for the 35-acre park, but he did say it's easily, easily into seven digits."

The facility features a 1.8-kilo metre track and 22,000-square-foot building, with a full pro shop, instruction classroom and storage facility for the 22 members and visiting racers. National flags honouring Formula-1 drivers from around the globe line the driveway into the park.

"I'm a fan of open-wheel racing, but I also raced motocross as a kid, so I've always liked to go fast," says 50-year-old Beith. ?It's part of my need for adrenaline. You just have to have a passion for it."

Beith, who's been a racing fan since age 14, says any thoughts of the track as a business venture come second to his love for speed. He previously owned an 800-metre track near his Sherwood Park home, but wanted another challenge. He recently sold his safety equipment company, which specialized in protective harnesses, and invested in a bigger and better track.

"I’m in it for the fun. I have to be. One of the things I learned early from track workshops is that racetracks don't make money," Beith says. "You'll find most racetracks are a little bit rundown and poorly managed because there's no money in it, especially in Canada."

Yet, Beith and his staff have received a lot of interest in the track from local racing clubs and friends who stop by to peel some rubber. ?Look at the karting industry. It's taking off,? says track manager Derek Pogany. "Baby boomers are starting to spend money and you can now run it like a golf club. Racing here starts at eight years old, but we've also got a member who's 67, so there's a wide variety."

Pogany, 25, and Beith's son, Chris, complete the three-man team which has turned a race track dream into blazing-fast reality. It's been a long three years looking for a victory lane, but Pogany says it's worth the risk.

Dan Beith, owner of Stratotech Park International Raceway

"In the beginning, the track was intended for our enjoyment. We hoped we could attract people to it, but it wasn't our original goal," he says. "The three of us all have a love of motorsports, and Dan was willing to go all the way with it. The opportunity comes once in a lifetime, so you've got to go for it."

The racers who frequent the park are just as happy with the result. "It's the best facility of its kind I’ve ever seen, and I've raced all over the U.S. and Western Canada," says Ernie Gagnon, 43, moments before streaking his yellow kart around the track. Gagnon has been racing karts since 1993, and says the new motorsports park was badly needed.

"I quit racing last year because there was nowhere to race. Other tracks were too bumpy, but this one is like racing on glass."

The park may be a hit with a lot of the competitors, but Beith says it doesn't change his outlook on the future-for both the track and himself. “My objective is to pay the staff and pay my taxes and keep the track as nice as people think it is,” he says.

"Life is for the living. To leave the money in the bank and live off interest and just puddle around and be a retired guy is just not my way of doing it right."