“Sprint car racing is still in my blood and always will be,” the older brother continued, “but a lot of the greatest racing drivers (CART champ Paul Tracy and CASCAR kingpin Kevin Dowler, for example) got their start in carts. It's a great way for young drivers to get a solid foundation.”

Equally important, MacDonell said, is the fact that cart racing can be incredibly exciting. “They're travelling on pavement, about 75 miles an hour, and the drivers are only a few inches off track. The Stratotech track is as good as any you'll find, but it's a dangerous event, just like everything else in motor racing.

“The Canadian championship is set for Chilliwack next August, not long after our event,” MacDonell continued. “The timing is perfect for us; the top racers in every cart-racing category will be finding a way to get here so they can prepare themselves.”

His announcement included some good news for Budweiser Park devotees: MacDonell fore sees no conflict between the Stratotech Park event and the annual Can-Am Cup that often lures top American competitors. There have been strong suggestions that the two Bud Park show pieces-Can-Am Cup and Gold Cup-will be combined on one weekend because it has become increasingly difficult to attract the best U.S. racers.

If these reports are true, the rejigging would create a major change on the face of Alberta racing. Two years ago, the report would have received serious credence, but the involvement of Ron Hodgson and Tim Boychuk has helped to re-establish good relations with certain drivers from Oregon and Washington who had come to believe their travel difficulties had been given little consideration when scheduling decisions were made.

That was only one of the problems. “American drivers weren't being paid very much,” MacDonell said, “particularly with the Canadian dollar at such a low level compared to U.S. money.”

The trade imbalance has changed, of course. Not only should the stronger Canadian dollar benefit Bud Park in future negotiations with drivers from the Pacific Northwest, but it would have a major benefit in preparing for the cart racing special.“We’ll pay about $13,000 in prize money, a big number for this sport,” MacDonell said. “Sometimes, they race only for plaques or trophies-but they're exciting, just the same.

Any Sport Any Time With lohn Short is heard Monday through Friday from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on AM-930 CJCA Radio

Cart-racing extravaganza green flag for July 1

EDMONTON / For the last couple of years, owner Dan Beith of Stratotech Park has been trying to devise ways to make the public aware of his top-level cart-racing facility on the outskirts of Fort Saskatchewan.

It appears his answer, part of it anyway, comes in the stocky form of Ron MacDonell, former sprint-car racer and it longtime promoter of auto sports in all possible varieties. MacDonell said Friday that he and his 44 year-old brother Al-”he's two years younger”- have adjusted their commitments so they can focus on the differing futures of their two sons.

Al will focus on the sprint car driven by his 17-year-old son Drew at Budweiser Motorsports Park, while Ron concentrates on cart racing, where his 15-year-old son, Sean, has been said to show significant promise.

The first major benefit to cart racing spectators and participants in this area is set for the holiday weekend in July: Ron MacDonell confirmed that the sport's Canadian national open will be staged during a four-day period next summer, starting July 1 at Stratotech Park. “We're expecting at least 60 cars, and the field could grow as high as 100.