Road Closure
 

Ok I was brought up with the saying "no question is a dumb question", so here goes...

Does anyone have any experience or know what it takes to do a road closure for some fast cars to stretch their legs so to speak? I am not even sure who to talk to at this point. Would it fall under the province or town/city, and what hoops would you be jumping through.

Also would anyone in the Calgary area be interested. Sure the track is good but do you really get to hit the upper limit? (Perhaps I should have asked that first).

We did this when I was a youngster, but it was organized by some young adults. I raced my 240Z against Capris and Celicas. It was in Comox, BC on Vanc. Island and I'm pretty sure it was done through the RCMP.

There was a strip of old abandoned highway that we used. Guys would bring funny cars and drag cars on trailers, the whole nine yards. Was such a blast!

I understand the guys from ZR Auto have done it. So they have raced the Enzo, Ferraris, Lambo, etc.. And they have also done it ilegally cause they were on the news cause some knucklehead posted the video in youtube and when the news found about it they made an interesting story about racing around Calgary.
The owner is Zair Rana and he is definitely a car guy so he'll advise you.

Try to see if any of these places are still in good shape and/or can be rented or just used....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_abandoned_airports_in_Canada

Johnny,
The closest is Milk River and according to Google is just 3.5 hours..
I wonder whats involved in renting the tarmac for a weekend...

We have a few avation experts in our 'club'....we should chat and see what we can do.

Are you sure it was legal? In one of the videos posted ,there was a what looked like a Chevy Cavalier in the oncoming lane of the "closed" highway.

ZR's defense was that it was all faked using CGI.....

No wonder they took them off youtube...

Anyhow back to the topic, I suspect you would have some chance at getting a section closed if it was done via an actual car club. It seems unlikely you could get it closed for a handful of enthusiasts. You would need volunteers, RCMP support, probably an ambulance and then some insurance.

Airports have been used off and on in various locations, just can't think of any in AB that have done it. Keep in mind lots of these smaller closed airports the tarmac is in poor condition and the strips are 3000'-3500'. Race City front straight is about 3000' and you get a running start!

I was thinking about the car club idea too. I just signed up to the Wild Rose PCA last week so might have to ask at one of the meetings.

About ZR, I heard that it was not a closure, but just an early morning run.

The closed airport idea is a good one. Although not closed I believe there is a runway East of Okotoks that sees little use. Ran across it a few years back I might have to use that for an excuse to go for a little drive once the frickin snow decides to disappear !

Springbanks may not be too busy mid-week.. Jim would know.. Jim?

I've done some raw land appraisals around Springbank Airport and incorporated air traffic data from the airport and I can say it is a small but a busy airport. I understand it has a local manager but he falls under the Calgary International Airport.

In thinking about this I was wondering about the section of the Kananaskis highway 40 which is closed for the winter months. Either getting it just before it closes in the fall (weather permitting) or just before it opens, although there may be winter dirt/road debris to contend with. It is somewhat popular for weekend cyclists once the snow has snow has melted off but while it is still closed to traffic. First it is spectacularly scenic, I would think there would be significant club interest, and it's a big wide road much longer than any airstrip.

I think the wild rose PCA used to rent the twisty "hill climb" COP road beside the bobsleigh run. Just my 2 cents

On the up side I've seen the proposed road course for east of Airdrie. So there is hope after Race City closes.

Are you referring to the Badlands Motorsports development near Rosebud, or is this something different?

Hi Ron,
the map I have said 15 miles east of Airdrie. I think it is the Badlands Track.

Badlands is quite a bit East of this, and is a different development.

http://www.badlandsmotorsportsresort.com/

Ok, I assumed it was the badlands development.. I'll do some checking.

I am hoping one of these sees fruition!

Ok it's actually a local cart club, they are still moving ahead and apparently it is to open in May 2010. May 2010, first stage at least which is the tracks (kart and 2.3km road course), fenses and basics. Then they will build the rest over the next years, based on revenue from the track.

OK, I'll chime in here:

The airport east of Okotoks doesn't have a paved airstrip.

The go-kart guys are planning a track 15 miles east of Airdrie and this is different than Badlands Motorsport Park.

I live on the eat side of the Gladys Ridge and the long straight deserted highways make for interesting commuting. There are however Elk, Deer, Owls, and Coyotes as well as dogs and farmer on the road out that way so it isn't clear sailing like you might expect.

I doubt that you would be able to get a road closure unless you ran under the guise that you were shooting a movie, and it wouldn't be cheap.

If you want to go fast, drive through Siksika. It's a first nation so I bet you could argue any ticket you might get on that basis.

There are going to be risks regardless of whether or not the road is 'closed' or not. Road conditions, wildlife, etc....if you truly want to go fast safely...the track is the best bet. Sure it's not long enough to get true top speed, but you'll go plenty fast.