Page 
Tracks bring
in the cash
Darren Steinke Open for Division 6.
NEWS FILE PHOTO
dsteinke@medicinehatnews.com
Kathy Wills drives over a row of cars in her monster truck named
The National Open itself drew about 200
TNT during a special event at the Medicine Hat Speedway July 11,
While the country plunges into the grips racers from outside of Medicine Hat last
2008. The Speedway and nearby drag strip expect to be busy nearly
of a recession, Medicine Hat’s two motor season. every weekend this summer.
sport tracks will keep hopping almost
“It (the National Open) is very well
every weekend from May through to early
before, during and after races.” Besides the money going into hotels and
known in Division 6,” said Mike Williams,
September.
who is the president of the MHDRA.
The neighbouring Medicine Hat
restaurants, the out-of-town drivers who
The Medicine Hat Drag Strip and the “We have lots of people that are talking
Speedway, which is run by the Medicine
participate at MHARA events usually
Medicine Hat Speedway are known for about Medicine Hat down in Oregon,
Hat Auto Racing Association, is going to
purchase their racing fuel, once they hit
drawing a high number of participants Washington, B.C., Idaho, you know, all
have a bigger than usual influx of visitors
the city. Matthews said a lot of dollars are
and fans throughout the racing season. over the place.”
this season. While the stock car track
spent in this area.
Besides the activity at the track, race
usually features a weekly toured in class Once again, the Gas City 150, featuring
With the National Open and other events,
season has a big positive impact on the
at its races, more drivers and events are NASCAR type late model stock cars, will
drivers will stay at the hotels, their families
rest of the city.
expected for the 2009 season as the stock be the highlight attraction for the racing
will visit the malls, and everyone packs
car track in Calgary has shut down. year. It will run over two days, and a
When times are tough, drivers still into restaurants. For those who camp at
seem to find the money to put into their the tracks with big trailer type mobile
A local IMCA stock car class has been
number of promoters with that series are
favourite hobby. While local drivers will home units, there are usually runs to the
added for the 2009 season, and there is
expected to visit the city this year to check
work on their cars in self-made shops grocery stores for food.
the possibility other circuits could come
things out.
at their homes, money keeps flowing at
through the Hat. With having the only paved track in
Williams believes the out-of-town racers
various shops for parts.
keep returning due to the fact the drag
“It is going to be good,” said De Matthews,
Southern Alberta that is also in good
At the Medicine Hat Drag Strip, the strip is well run.
who is the director of operation for the
shape, Matthews says things keep
Medicine Hat Drag Racing Association
MHARA. “It is going to help the city out
humming along.
“The only thing that we have going for us
is known for bringing in different
for sure. “If you don’t have a decent facility and you
is hospitality and trying to put on safe and
special attractions like jet cars, monster
fun events and to have a competitive track,”
“When you start adding up the restaurant
don’t treat your people right, they won’t
trucks, alcohol funny cars, and for the
come back,” said Matthews. “If you’ve
said Williams. “That goes with all the hard
bills and everything else, it does bring in
last number of years, being home to the
got a good facility, by word of mouth it
work of everybody that gets things ready
a lot of money.”
National Hot Rod Association’s National
spreads fast.”
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