Driver Parker Thompson

Driver Parker Thompson

PARKER THOMPSON

Badlands Motorsports Resort

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hailing from Red Deer Alberta, Parker Thompson is one of Canada’s top up and coming race drivers.  Starting in karts at the age of 8, Parker raced frequently at the Calgary karting track at Race City Motorsports Park, before moving onto a racing career that has seen him race around the globe.

Badlands Motorsports Resort is proud to support Parker Thompson in all his endevours, as both a representative of Alberta in motorsports, and as an active member of our local community.

Minimal racing facilities in Alberta forced Parker from Alberta at age 10. He spent multiple years in his teens living away from home learning the craft of racing.

I think Canadian motorsports would be very different if we had a prominent motorsports facility, like Badlands Motorsports Resort. If you look at Canada right now, we don’t have many main tracks. The only track that sticks out in Canada is Mosport, but other than that there isn’t much that comes to mind – especially on the West Coast. The main reason why European and American drivers are so strong is there are a lot of race tracks in their countries. Unfortunately in Canada we don’t have many race tracks, and the tracks we do have aren’t to par with what other countries have around the world. I would guarantee if we had had a Badlands Motorsports Resort while I was growing up in Alberta, I wouldn’t have had to move to Europe to find the world’s best competition.

Parker Thompson

On Canadian motorsports

Racing History

2017 Canadian F1600 Super Series Champion
USF2000 – 3rd overall championship
Exclusive Autosport
2016 USF2000 – 2nd overall championship
Cape Motorsports
Wayne Taylor Racing
2015 USF2000 – 5th overall championship
JDC Motorsports
2013 WSK – European Circuit
Energy Corse Factory Team
2012 World Junior Rotax
3rd place World Ranking
2011 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals
Youngest Driver
2010 CIK International
2nd place overal championship
2009 International Karting Region 7
5 Series championship wins
2008 Calgary Kart Club Champion

Regarding Badlands Motorsports Resort, there are a number of different things I’m particularity excited about. First – the track is built by Alan Wilson, and two of my favourite tracks as a race car driver right now [Barber Motorsports Park and Calabogie Motorsports Park] – we’re designed by Wilson. Both tracks are the most technically challenging and safest tracks that I have had the pleasure to drive in my career. I expect nothing less when it comes to the layout of the BMR facility. Secondly – the idea of a resort and accommodations built into a racing facility is a luxury that is very rare when it comes to motorsports. If you look at all the tracks I race at and there’s no hotel, no accommodations – it’s literally just a racetrack. What the Badlands Motorsport guys are trying to do right now is build a community around racing. I think with their vision and determination for excellence, it will change motorsports as we know it.

Parker Thompson

On an exciting future for Badlands Motorsports Resort

As a young adult now, Parker is actively involved in Alberta during his off time, campaigning against texting and driving in High Schools all throughout the province with his program “Drive to Stay Alive.” Looking beyond texting and driving, Parker is a strong advocate for responsible road habits.

I look at how motorsports has affected my life and I think that many race car drivers can say the same thing. As race car drivers, we really don’t need to get our dose of speed on the streets. We drive high performance race cars around a track as fast as we can; we push the car to the absolute limit on the track, and when we’re on the street with our street car we don’t feel the need to push the car. We know that we’re not in that type of environment when we are travelling on the streets. I think thats a real key to how motorsports can change Alberta and the community of Canada. I think if people can take their high performance vehicles to a beautiful motorsports, it’s really going to change people’s mindsets on how they drive on the street. Not to mention I think they’ll have a lot of fun pushing their car to the absolute max, and see what it was made to do on a beautiful track in a very safe enviroment.

Parker Thompson

On motorsports and street driving

Construction Stages

Construction Stages

CONSTRUCTION PHASES

Badlands Motorsports Resort

Stemming from motorsports, the first steps of the development require establishing a world-class driving facility. That facility, and an awe-inspiring location, will create demand for surrounding resort and residential elements.

Stage 1 - North Track Construction

The first priority for construction is Alan Wilson’s 4.8km multi-configuration North Track starting with initial efforts focusing on the 3.0km North Loop. Commencing late in spring of 2018, the target will be to complete the North Loop by fall of the same year, with the 1.8km South Loop following in the spring of 2019.

Additional construction requirements for this early stage of the development include the main access road extending South from Alberta Highway 9 towards the site, and water supply from Drumheller Water Treatment Plant and Aqua 7 Water Services. To facilitate later developments, a framework basic utilities and underground services will be installed early in construction where feasible.

A temporary race operations structure and members facility, will be constructed on top of a small paved section of the parking/paddock area, and accessed via a two lane tunnel passing under the road course.

Capable of hosting two independent groups the completion of the North Track will provide an immediate opportunity for motorsports activities, and a sustainable enterprise that will facilitate the construction of the Valley Track and other motorsports courses.

 

 

 

Once the motorsports facility is fully operational, remaining elements of the development would be completed in response to market demand. In most cases, construction financing for these elements might be obtained with the benefit of pre-sales or defined leasing agreements with commercial vendors.

As a motorsports facility, the project captures what is North America’s largest unserved motorsports market. Combined with a stunning surrounding natural landscape that is critical to the fast growing Badlands region, that motorsports facility represents an opportunity for the full Badlands Motorsports Resort development, the largest current tourism development in Canada, and a potential for great growth granted by a wide range of commercial and recreational elements.

 

Designer Alan Wilson

Designer Alan Wilson

 

ALAN WILSON 

Badlands Motorsports Resort

Focused on providing a superior driving experience, and sustainable operations model, Badlands Motorsports Resort has partnered with renowned track designer and motorsports facility manager Alan Wilson.

Widely known as the most prolific track designer in the world, Alan Wilson has designed more than 37 tracks, and earned multiple international awards for his work.  In addition, he has served as manager for world-class facilities such as Brands Hatch.  His level of experience in facility design, construction, and operations is unrivalled across the globe.

Alan Wilson

Native to South Africa, and a racer since 1963, Alan Wilson’s experiences have taken him all over the world, including Edmonton, Alberta where he spent many of his early years in motorsports. He has since had the opportunity to race and design tracks all over the world, working at all levels of motorsports – from club level racing, to Formula One. Husband to Desiré Wilson, the only woman to ever win a Formula One race, Alan Wilson is still actively involved in the motorsports community, and continues to design tracks all over the globe.

Today, his designs are widely recognized as being amongst the safest and most enjoyable in the world. His facility and event operations expertise has also earned the highest respects. He is well-regarded by all clients, for whom he has delivered race tracks, and remains in consultation with them after construction is complete to address operational concerns.

I can’t remember the exact date, I was approached by the Zelazo’s and asked to come to Calgary. They took me out to a property that was unique because its got this valley, its got an amazing character! It has also got this flat plateau at the top which makes [a location for] one of the tracks. I’ve learned a long time ago that you always try and build two tracks, so you can double the amount of revenue from the same amount of management and operational staff.

We went out [to the property]. It’s on the edge of the Badlands and it’s spectacular. I mean it’s amazing. I immediately fell in love with the property. The interesting thing about the track is the Badlands concept. You’ve got two completely different kinds of environments to deal with. I don’t know of any track in the world that is set in the setting like this.

Alan Wilson

On the Badlands Motorsports Resort property

Awards

1982 Formula One Constructors Association
“Championship Event of the Year”
Brands Hatch
1998 Sports Car Club of America
George G. Snively Memorial Award
For contributions to track safety
2006 Professional Motorsports World Expo
“Motorsports Facility of the Year”
Miller Motorsports Park
2008 FIM World Super Bike Championship
“Championship Event of the Year”
Miller Motorsports Park
2013 Professional Motorsports World Expo
Finalist – “Motorsports Facility of the Year”
Inje Speedium
2017 Professional Motorsports World Expo
Finalist – “Motorsports Facility of the Year”
Ningbo Speedpark
2017 Professional Motorsports World Expo
“Motorsports Facility of the Year”
Thermal Club

 

Major Track Designs

Barber Motorsports Park
Mont Tremblant
Pittsburgh International Race Complex
Carolina Motorsports Park
Gingerman Raceway
Mid America Motorplex
Arizona Motorsports Park
Miller Motorsports Park
Autobahn Country Club
Motorsports Park Hastings
NOLA Motorsports Park
Calabogie Motorsports Park
The Thermal Club
Inje Speedium
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Pikes Peak International Raceway
Denver CART
Columbus IMSA GTP
Minneapolis Trans-Am
Grand Rapids Trans-Am
Dallas Fair Park Trans-Am
Dallas Addison Trans-Am
Dallas Reunion Arena
Sears Point Karting Center
The Track at Centennial
New Jersey Motorsports Park Kart Track
Gainesville Raceway
TRC Dynamic Handling Course
Speedpark Beijing
Ningbo Speedpark

The North Track is much more the traditional type of racetrack. That is, you build it to meet all kinds of standards for all kinds of racing. The Valley Track is a totally different kettle of fish. It has got huge elevation changes. It’s not so much a [conventional] racetrack as a driving track.

The first thing that I try and do with any track, is make it challenging for the driver. To make it fun I put something into every corner. Every corner sequence [should] challenge the driver. I don’t want him to have accidents, but I’m fine with him having incidents.

Safety is the most important thing in, in any design. I’ve tried to meet the highest possible standards of safety in everything I’ve done. I want to be able to spin-off, not hit anything, come into the pits, come to a clean toilet (which is different to most tracks), change my underwear and go out and do it again.

Alan Wilson

On track designs at Badlands Motorsports Resort

Deeply involved in the recent trend for motorsports facilities to utilize membership access and luxurious amenities alongside the driving experience, Alan Wilson has designed and assisted with the operations of successful facilities like Autobahn Country Club, Thermal Club and NOLA.  His experience with all-encompassing facilities that are comparable to Badlands Motorsports Resort, and his eagerness to be involved in facility operations, creates great confidence for Badlands Motorsports Resort going forward.

I’ve learned from so many, and I’ve learned that there’s always a certain management core. If you’ve only got one revenue stream, the chances of making a profit from that [one stream] is much less than if you’ve got ten revenue streams in the same facility with the same management core.

The concept is to have the multiple, non-conflicting revenue streams. You can have a corporate training up on the [top half of the] North track, you can have driver training on the lower half of the North Track, and you can have a totally different group on the Valley Track – all run by the same management team. So now you’re getting three sets of revenue from that. Add the Kart Track and you’re getting four, add the hotel, you’re getting five. Add the slalom and the skidpad and you’re getting six.

I maintain a good relationship with all my old tracks. I go out of my way to give them the benefits of my experience. Very few of my tracks have been developed by people who know racing. They’re people who have enjoyed going to tracks. They’ve been exposed to motorsports as enthusiasts. Virtually every single one of my customers have been someone who is at the fringes of motorsport but are businessmen. I’ve had to teach them the business of racing.

Alan Wilson

On operating Badlands Motorsports Resort

Seasonal Operations

Seasonal Operations

Seasonal Operations

With at least one hundred and sixty-eight major road courses in North America, there are many very successful facilities in the Northern United States and Canada that have a climate that is comparable to that of Badlands Motorsports Resort. Utah Motorsports Campus in Salt Lake City, Autobahn Country Club in Chicago, Road America in Wisconsin, Calabogie Motorsports Park near Ottawa and Mont Tremblant in Quebec are just a few examples that manage seasonal adjustments which can affect motorsports activities.

On the positive side, a northern latitude allows for significantly longer periods of daylight during summer months, creating the ability to run two sessions per day where many facilities only manage one. The specific location of Badlands Motorsports Resort, on the west end of the Canadian Badlands, is also blessed with a high average of annual sunshine hours, and a very minimal amount of annual precipitation that gives it an advantage over some facilities in more southern locations.

Our motorsports facility has been designed with features that allow it flexibility to handle usage in all seasons. In doing so, we have proposed a plan to run the facility seven days a week for the entire year with only a two week break during Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

With changes in temperature and daylight hours, our operation plan will be different in spring, summer, fall, and winter seasons. In the spring and summer, there will be have two sessions per day to take advantage of our long daylight hours. The early summer session will run from 8am to 2 pm. The idea behind this time slot is that you come early and can get a complete day of driving in and comfortable be home for dinner in Calgary if needed. The afternoon session will run from 2pm to 8pm, and allowing drivers a full session on track while departing Calgary after lunch time.

Sunshine Hours

The site of Badlands Motorsports Resort, gets more annual sunshine, than any other motorsports facility in Canada. The nearby City of Calgary has more sunny days than any other major Canadian city, while the Badlands region is considered the sunniest in the country.

An Arid Climate

Known for hoodoos and cacti, the Badlands region sharply contrasts the nearby Rocky Mountains, with minimal amounts of precipitation year round.

Chinook Winds

In winter months, warm Chinook winds native to Southern Alberta offer relief from cold temperatures, and melt accumlated snow.

Beyond the natural climate of the site, the facility has some planned features that will lend it even greater advantage over other northern latitude facilities.

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Indoor Paddock

An indoor paddock area will be built into the ground level of the Car Condo building. Serving as a launch point for driving activities, the area is large enough to hold multiple groups of drivers and vehicles, facilitating setting adjustments, socialization, or simply relaxation between stints, all in a space insulated from the outdoor elements. Given that the Car Condo building is also a main vehicle storage facility it will be possible for someone to drive to the site, prepare their track vehicle for use, then drive on course, without ever spending time outside.

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Track Monitoring Systems

A state of the art timing and scoring system using digital flags and closed circuit television monitoring instead of on-course Marshalls will make it easy for our staff to run the facility in all temperatures, as well as provide an added element of safety. Large LED flag panels, which can be mounted in easily viewable locations, even overhead the track or on a dash mounted receiver are controlled from a central race operations room.

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Track Sweeping

During the winter season, the North Track and Skidpad will be cleaned with a street sweeper for snow coverage and will operate all year long. Depending on the temperature and snow/slush conditions, there will be specific tire requirements such as all-season or snow tires required. This will allow for daily lapping and driver education sessions or possibly even time trial competitions. A winter time trial series is currently done at Utah Motorsports Campus (Miller Motorsports Park) in Salt Lake Utah and it has been very successful.

Outside of the car, a variety of activities will be possible on site in winter months. For the Valley Track, where varying terrain complicates snow removal, it is proposed that snow making machines will be placed alongside the track, or snow removed from the plateau area will be placed on the Valley Track to create a dedicated snowmobile course. With a built in timing system, and nearby resort amenities, this would be a one-of-a-kind facility.

Once fully built, hiking and cycling trails could be groomed for cross country skiing in winter months. Summer swimming areas could be used for ice skating. The beautiful views and landscape of the area, would take a different tone, but still remain a key attraction that drives visitors to the area.