Thunder Road celebrates 30 years in Aberdeen, defies experts

Thunder Road in Aberdeen, which is owned and operated by David and Al Novstrup, opened 30 years ago as a go-kart track. (Elisa Sand/Aberdeen Insider)

Al Novstrup still remembers the conversation that sparked the development of Thunder Road at Wylie Park in Aberdeen.

He was at a family birthday party in 1993, and his brother-in-law John Sperry brought up the idea of offering go-kart racing in Aberdeen.

Novstrup, who didn’t have a reason not to pursue the venture, said the idea became a reality a year later with the opening of Thunder Road, now celebrating its 30th anniversary.

“They said it couldn’t be done in a population less than 100,000,” Novstrup said of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.

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