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Hey guys. Have some pretty sweet news. For those of you who know Andrew Kunas, wanted to let you guys know. The kiddo has a pretty exciting opportunity ahead of him. He was extended an offer to be the promotor/director of ops for Rocky Mountain Raceway in Okotoks, Alberta, near Edmonton, and he accepted. Andrew leaves within the next day or so to head on up. Have included the webpage as well;
http://www.rmrp.ca/
Hoping it goes well for him. "/
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Thanks everyone for the kind words. I am very excited about this opportunity to work with the McCaughan Family at Rocky Mountain Raceway Park.
Some quick facts about RMRP:
Property where the track is located was purchased in 1996. After years of hard work, the track finally opened in 2004
Located right outside of Okotoks, about 25 miles or so to the south of Calgary, Alberta's largest city. Don't ask me to use kilometers yet...still having trouble adjusting there. Knowing what temperature it is in the other form will take longer I think.
Edmonton is about 3 1/2 hours drive or so to the north. Lethbridge is about 2 hours away to the south.
The track is a 1/4-mile clay oval, banked fairly decently...though it was difficult for me to tell during my visit there a couple of weeks ago as the place was covered in snow. Pit area is located outside turns one and two. Grandstands seat about 2,500 people. Several suites located indoors above the grandstands and more suites with unobstructed views are on top. A small ballroom is also inside the building that holds the grandstand seats and can used for racing-related functions. A very nice, fancy VIP lounge is also inside the same building.
RMRP runs every two to three weeks usually, with the occasional back-to-back weekend. Regular Friday nights always have limited winged sprint cars, modifieds, and hobby stocks. A truck stock class and a 4-cylinder claimer class alternate as the fourth class, except during season championships when all five classes will be in action. A number of demolition derbies and "tuff truck" events will also be held. We are also looking into holding motocross events as I understand there are countless MX bikes in the Calgary area.
Our season is scheduled to open with a play day on Saturday, May 3. Our first night of racing is scheduled for Friday, May 9. Our season championship is scheduled for Saturday, October 4. I expect to be at all events at RMRP, of course, but I do intend to visit the other race tracks in Alberta in an effort to establish good relations with them and also spread the word about Rocky Mountain Raceway Park.
In closing, this will be a huge change for me. I have lived in western Washington most of my life, including the last 9 1/2 years. (Interestingly enough, Canada will become the third different country I have lived in. I was in Italy for two years in the mid-80's as a toddler.) The last four years especially have been quite the ride, having made all the long road trips to California or Montana, or the cross-country trips to Michigan or just last year to Florida. I'd like to thank everyone for the great times.
As far as my prior work goes, I'd like to thank Steve Beitler at Skagit Speedway, Russell & Lori and Bob & Linda Leach at Cottage Grove Speedway, Debbie Brownfield with Grays Harbor Raceway and the former NoST and NaST, Curt Kern & Bill Birdsell with the NSRA, Shawna & Dick Wilskey with the NSCS and everyone with the WMRA, for having me aboard at one time or another. All of the race tracks I have visited, even if only once, thanks for having me over. I wouldn't be ready for this new venture with out everything I have learned thanks to all the people I have met over the years.
Best wishes from Alberta....expect me to return to Washington on Labor Day weekend for the World of Outlaws races at Skagit and Grays Harbor (and ASCS Northwest show at Elma).
Andrew Kunas
Rocky Mountain Raceway Park
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