Driven to Give: The Track Where Speed Meets Purpose
Photo by Christine Lo
The sun was out and temperatures were high at Rocky Mountain Motorsports in Carstairs, as president and CEO Steven Tory and his team prepared to host one of their charitable events for children living with serious illnesses and their families.
Just two days earlier, rain had poured over the 3.5-kilometre circuit. But by Saturday, July 12, the skies had cleared for the track’s first Drive for Smiles event in Alberta, held in partnership with the Starlight Children’s Foundation.
More than 30 supercar drivers volunteered their time and vehicles, taking children and their families for laps around the circuit.
For the families, the event offered a joyful escape. After months spent in and out of hospitals, a day at the track provided something different: speed, laughter and a sense of normalcy for a few hours.
“We get to come out and be with people that understand our children, who understand the complexities of a sick or compromised child,” said Greg Plante. His 15-year-old son John was diagnosed with Williams syndrome when he was born. They have been part of Starlight’s programs since John was six months old.
Photos by Christine Lo
The atmosphere was upbeat. Tents lined the paddock, offering shade as families moved between food trucks, activity stations and the lineup of parked supercars. An MC kept the schedule flowing, inviting children to the starting line for their ride times. Kids posed for photos with the vehicles, chatted with drivers and walked away with hats, toys and wide smiles.
“RMM really jumped in and supported us,” said Brian Bringolf, CEO of the Starlight Foundation. “We really wouldn’t have been able to pull this off without them.”
RMM opened in early 2022, providing a space for the Calgary motorsports community to express their supercar and motorcycle passion that had been missing since Calgary’s Race City track closed in 2011.
It closed after chronic noise complaints, the expansion of the Shepard landfill and the city’s need for access to stormwater ponds and ring road development.
“After Race City closed, there was really a vacuum of facilities in southern Alberta,” said Brad Young, operations manager at RMM.
RMM hasn’t been immune to concerns from nearby residents. Noise and environmental impact were raised early on —but the team behind the facility says they’re committed to being part of the region’s long-term growth.
“We are more than just enthusiasts. We do bring economic growth to the area,” said Tory.
In the six months since he took on the role, Tory has worked to elevate the track—not only for its members, but for the charities it supports.
Attendees noted how polished the facility felt—especially for a track that’s still so new. With cutting-edge technology and a thoughtfully designed layout, the track left a strong impression on first-time visitors and returning members alike.
Before RMM opened, there wasn’t a venue in the region suited to hosting an event of that scale.
“RMM being here means that we’re here,” said Heather Burnett, Starlight’s program manager for B.C. and Alberta.
The experience was just as meaningful for the drivers. Many brought gifts for the children, and each made a donation to take part in the event.
Driver Brian Milloy, who spent the day giving rides in his McLaren, said the event was “a win-win all around.” While he was on track, his wife, Chantal, parked their Tesla Cybertruck near the paddock and invited kids to sign it with dry-erase markers. By the end of the day, the vehicle was covered in doodles and signatures—a playful, low-key highlight that captured the spirit of the event.
In total, Starlight raised more than $50,000 through the event.
While the engines quieted and families headed home, the feeling lingered. For Tory, that’s exactly the point. “When you get the kids out here and you see them experience something that they can normally not experience, it is very impactful for everyone that's here,” he said.
Photography by Christine Lo