NOTE: Click on the thumbnails to display the full-size images
Friday's Photo Gallery
From the bit of hyperbole (Canada's finest motorsport facility) on the entrance sign (complete with an IHRA logo to boot to the first impression of the track itself: the contrasts are quite startling.
Looking a little closer at the two figures scraping the starting line reveals that the tall white haired gentleman is none other than Vernon Christy, brought in to promote and manage the race - oh, and do lots of the grunt work too. Turning the camera down track reveals the truly tired look to the entire facility.
Turning another 90 degrees shows the concession stand and Pit Stop Cafe, with the exterior looking a little worse for wear and weeds growing up the sides of the building. Walking down past the cafe leads us to the control tower (for the road race course), which looks in somewhat better condition.
Looking down toward the drag strip finish line indicates the downhill slope the track has in the shutdown ' area. And swinging the camera back towards the starting line shows the rather tired looking grandstands. By the way, a quick guesstimate put the seating capacity at 5000. A number that almost certainly won't be exceeded at any point this weekend.
Behind the dragstrip grandstands and cafe is a 3/8-th's mile (guess) oval track that looks like it gets regular use. It's also got seating for another 2000 or so race fans.
Before we move down trackside, here's the window decorations on the cafe, apparently left over from three years ago. The weeds are newer though. And lying forlornly on its side on the ground is the fake roof owl; no wonder the property is overrun with prairie dogs (more on them later).
Looking straight down the track (while Vern Christy and Calgary Motorsports Council President Rick Francescone continue scraping the start line) reveals that the track does need a serious tuneup. Another view, favouring the left side of the strip just confirms that feeling.
A view of the drag strip timing tower on the left, and the "A-Board" on the right, with various Calgary Drag Racing Association logos from the past adorning it.
Here's a low angle view of the grandstands from the track, and they do look better from a distance. And another shot of the starting line from downtrack, showing the weeds growing along the wall on the left side of the picture.
Now we switch from the good and the bad, to the downright ugly in the next series of shots, highlighting the condition of the track in places. These cracks, divots, and caverns begin around the 330 ft. mark and continue well past the finish line. Yes, the track lessee (Art McKenzie) has promised to repave the track this year, but until the weather cooperates, it just isn't going to happen.
Another couple of shots from the asphalt jungle, and yes Gerry, that stuff at the bottom of the right pic is actual grass growing up through the cracks. You weren't kidding!
We've now reached the 1/8-th mile mark, which is reportedly the finish line for the fast cars this weekend and as we continue on our journey through the wilds of the top end, we can see why the race distance has been shortened. Yep, that's a puddle bubbling up through the crack(s). And it ain't oil, brother.
Looks like they had a major sponsor at one time, but as the billboard peels away, the original signage start showing through. Just past the sign is the side gate to the top end of the track, showing just how wet everything is in Calgary these days.
We've finally reached the finish line on our nature walk, and it doesn't look that bad - unless you take a close look - or cross it going 200+ mph. And the braking area looks even better.
One more view of the track from the top end as we begin our trek back to the starting line, but before we've gone very far, one of the temporary residents of the trackside "lakes" comes into view.
Back at the starting line we pause to inspect the world's shortest concrete launch pad, looking like it's no more than 80 ft. in length. Even shorter is an additional (10 ft?) section where the cars start their burnouts, before they go onto asphalt, then back to concrete, then back to asphalt. Makes sense? No, I didn't think so, either.
Moving back into the pits, we spot two of the early arrivals, a pair of Diesel Hot Rod Association vehicles. I have no idea what they'll run, but they look pretty tough.
On the other side of the road, in the main pit area - yes, that gravel parking lot is the pits - are two of the teams for the feature classes.
Two more views of the pit area, on the left looking out towards the entrance, and to the right, looking back towards the oval track.
Walking up to the oval track from the pit area, I watched a number of these little critters scurrying around, and saw their handiwork with dozens of their burrows scattered around the grassy areas. Watch your step. Just beyond the prairie dog were the grandstands for the circle track.
Here's two views of the oval track, showing the serious banking and the general layout.
Our tour of the facility is nearing an end, but first we've got a couple of warning signs as we walk up to where we parked the "staff" car.... just past the NO PARKING sign. Rules? We don't need no.... etc.
That's it from Race City; tomorrow we've got the first day of the Father's Day Funny Car Classic