Autodrome Val-Bélair
Autodrome Val-Bélair was a racing track in Quebec featuring an oval asphalt circuit about 500 meters long. The facility had simple structures with covered grandstands for spectators and accommodated various racing formats including standard oval races and figure-eight competitions.
Built in 1961 to provide a faster asphalt alternative to existing clay tracks, the facility attracted drivers from across the region. After decades of races featuring local and visiting American competitors, operations ceased in 1987 when the land was redeveloped for residential housing.
The track was originally called Quebec Modern Speedway before becoming Autodrome Val-Bélair, reflecting the local municipality. It served as a gathering place where racing fans came together to watch regional drivers compete and enjoy stunt performances, creating shared memories for the community.
The historic location is accessible via Boulevard Pie-XI Nord and sits near what is now Rue du Hérisson. Today the site is a residential neighborhood with approximately 188 homes, so visitors can only walk through the streets and imagine where the former racing circuit once stood.
The track was known for figure-eight racing, an unusual format where vehicles navigate a figure-eight shaped course that brought variety to competition days. It also became famous for Hell Drivers motorcycle stunts and bus jumps by the Lessard brothers, spectacles that drew large crowds beyond typical racing fans.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
