Motor sports enthusiasts celebrate new racetrack opening north of Calgary

After seven years navigating approvals and sound permits, Alberta has a new racetrack for car and motorbike enthusiasts.

Rocky Mountain Motorsportshas officiallyopened its 3.5-kilometretrack. It features 16 turns and 36 metres of elevation change.

The new track was designedby circuit-makerHermann Tilke and built at a cost of $35 million.

The facility is based aroundmemberships, with time also allocated for public use and classes.

WATCH |CBC News got a preview of the racetrack earlier this year:

Long-awaited Alberta race track opens

2 years ago

Duration 4:26

The track which is located at the Carstairs overpass about 20 minutes north of Calgary has been in development for about 10 years.

Members and founders gathered with their cars on Thursdayto celebrate the officialopening.

The track will host everything from driving schools and car clubs to dealership test drives and motorsports events.