Kim Reeves, owner of Budweiser Motorsports Park in Edmonton, Alberta, knew her facility failed to hold up against the torrential rain that marred the 2004 IHRA Rocky Mountain Nationals. She decided to do something about it.

Reeves is sinking $1,000,000 into the facility to improve the grounds for racers and fans. The existing pit area is being re-paved and the extended pit area, 12,000 square meters that were previously gravel, is getting paved as well. The new pit area will be large enough to accommodate 80 professional rigs.

The renovation will also improve the track from the 300-foot mark to the 1/8 mile mark, and the shut-down area and turn-off will get a facelift as well. Finally, access roads will be improved.

“It’s all for the competitors,” Reeves said. “It needed to be done if we are going to be a National Event facility. A National Event facility has to be able to host National Event cars.”

Last season, 100-year record rainfall in the Edmonton area caused the unpaved grounds to become a muddy mess. This is what Reeves hopes to avoid in the future.
“We understand how far people are coming for this event,” she said. “Under no circumstances do we want them leaving unhappy or not satisfied. It is like having people over to your house…are you going to serve them a cold dinner? We want to make sure everyone is happy with the track and the event.”

With the rising popularity of drag racing in Canada, Reeves wants to bring her track to the forefront. “We want to be the leaders in Western Canada,” she said. “We understand that we have to have the facility to perpetuate that.”

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