Edmonton International Speedway
Circuit info:
- Circuit length:
- 2.527 miles/4.067 km
- Circuit type:
- Permanent road course
Circuit history:
The Edmonton International Speedway (the locals called it Speedway Park) can trace its origins to an oval dirt track called Breckenridge Speedway, built in 1950 and run for many years.
Eventually, the Breckenridge oval was replaced by a smaller asphalt oval called Speedway Park, which later became the focal point of Edmonton International Raceway.
The Drag strip opened in 1967 and the full road racing circuit in 1968 when the first Can Am race was held. Racing continued up to and including the 1982 season. The popular road race track hosted Can-Am, Trans Am, Continental F5000, various Canadian championship series and uncounted club races.
Unfortunately due to a growing population, Edmonton International Speedway (located only four miles from the city centre) was closed due to time and noise restrictions. A housing estate has subsequently swallowed up most of the site, leaving little trace of the circuit, although a short section of the Parker's End portion is still detectable.
Plans for a new track 20 minutes south of Edmonton sprang up in the mid-1990s, but while the circuit has been based it has still not been paved. A drag strip provides the only current action.
Thanks to Marcel Chichak, Tom Johnston, Tom Posthuma, Mike Currie and Bob Cantin for additional information.
