A Lap of Rexall Speedway with Carl Skerlong

Carl Skerlong

Carl Skerlong’s need for speed started as a youngster, a two-year old on skis. By the age of seven he was racing for his local mountain, the Stevens Pass Club just outside of Seattle.

A specialist in Slalom and Giant Slalom, the four-time Junior Olympic ski racer turned his focus go-karts at the age of 14 and the rest is history. Heading into this weekend’s double-header at Edmonton, 19 year-old Skerlong is battling for his fourth racing championship, this time the IMSA Atlantic title. Skerlong’s season is off to a strong start, scoring two podiums in three races, he is currently ranked fifth in the championship.

A lap around Edmonton

Edmonton is truly a one of a kind circuit. It is as high-speed as any other circuit the Atlantic Championship runs on, however it is primarily surrounded with concrete walls. There is no room for error on this beast of a race track.

Heading into turn one, it is extremely hard to find your bearings after sweeping across what seems like a mile wide runway. As you fly through the very fast right hander, you are immediately thrown into a five-turn rhythm section starting off with a nearly flat out 4th gear chicane. You then have a backed right then two speedy lefts in a row, finishing this technical section with a right the throws you straight towards a large white wall.

Next comes the second fastest corner on the track, a bumpy flat out 4th gear right hand sweeper that gives you your first reminder of the track being a temporary circuit. From there you head into a decreasing radius left that takes you to the slowest corner on the track; a low speed double apex right that makes for a prime passing place. All that is left is the long straight away – that is broken in the middle by a 135 mph flat out 5th gear chicane.

This takes you to your second lap around the grueling Rexall speedway.