This Track in ACT History: Autodrome de Val Bélair
/Location: Quebec City, QC (née Val Bélair, QC and Val-St-Michel, QC)
Track: 1/3-mile semi-banked oval
Also Known As: Autodrome de Quebec, Quebec Modern Speedway
Opened: 1961
Closed: 1987
# of ACT Races Held: 19 (ACT Pro Stock Tour/NASCAR North)
Most Wins: Jean-Paul Cabana, 6
A Brief History of Autodrome Val Bélair
Autodrome Val Bélair, then known as Quebec Modern Speedway, first opened its doors on July 19, 1961. At the time, the only track in the Quebec City area was the clay oval Autodrome Ste-Thérèse-de-Lisieux. In response to pleas from many fans and competitors for an asphalt track, local race team owner Omar Briére borrowed some money and oversaw construction of the new 1/3-mile asphalt oval in just eight weeks. Under Briére’s ownership, the track raced three days a week – oval racing on Wednesdays and Saturdays followed by Figure-8 racing on Sunday. Innovative features such as covered grandstands and seat warmers also allowed him to extend racing season all the way to the end of October.
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