Saskatchewan International Raceway celebrates 50 years

The red carpet was rolled out to celebrate 50 years of high-speed action at Saskatchewan International Raceway Saturday night.

The track was made in 1966 by Les Howard and is Western Canada’s oldest drag strip.

Racer Garry Waldner, 68, was born and raised in Saskatoon and has raced at the strip since 1967.

“I had a 56 Pontiac,” he said. “I was a teenager and had colored hair. The racing community really took me in, so I stayed ever since.”

More than 4,000 people came out for the anniversary festivities and racing.

You got to head to @raceSIR today for some great racing, these cars are so fast #yxe @CKOMNews pic.twitter.com/TaS6qIPdiM

— JT Marshall (@jtmarshallCKOM) August 20, 2016

Waldner said back in 1970, there were no trees near the raceway and it was all flat at the track.

“It’s changed so much in 50 years,” Waldner said. “It’s been here for so long and has so much history.”

The track has only had two owners and outlived other drag strips in every other major city in western Canada.

Waldner said the 50-year celebration was an emotional one.

“It makes you cry almost,” he said. “Your heart just bleeds for it, who would have guessed that this place would be around for 50 years.”

The 68-year-old doesn’t want to give up the high-speed life anytime soon either.

“I don’t want to stop racing,” he said. “I still love it so much.”

It’s absolutely packed @raceSIR for Junior drags, it’s the 50th anniversary #yxe @CKOMNews pic.twitter.com/IYfpyrg841

— JT Marshall (@jtmarshallCKOM) August 20, 2016

Correction: This story has been updated after a previous version called the track “Saskatoon International Raceway.”