A drag strip is being built on a Rimbey area racetrack after nearly 10 years in the making.
Crews are building a quarter-mile drag strip this week at Central Alberta Raceways — something that operators are excited about because it’s been a long time coming.
Chairman Jeff Makofka said they’ve been building the raceway facilities in phases, depending on financing.
This drag strip is a big part of making the raceway complete.
On Tuesday, concrete work was done for one portion of the strip. More work was to be done today.
The remainder of the work will be finished next spring.
Makofka said the drag strip is a $2-million project and involves adding about 5,000 seats.
“We’re looking for more donations and sponsors,” said Makofka.
Central Alberta Raceways has operated since 2003 and since then it’s developed a three-eighth-mile dirt oval, a motocross track and mud bog pits.
About 2,000 seats exist now.
In 2008, the provincial government gave the raceways $430,000 towards adding the drag strip. At that time, the total project was estimated at $1 million.
This weekend, the raceways is hosting ConocoPhillips Mud Bog. It runs at 1 p.m. on Saturday and at noon on Sunday. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children (aged nine to 12). For more information, go to www.caraceways.ca.
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com