Circuit Mont-Tremblant facts for kids
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Circuit Mont-Tremblant
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| Location | 1281 Chemin du Village Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada |
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| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (UTC−04:00 DST) |
| Coordinates | 46°11′15.74″N 74°36′35.77″W / 46.1877056°N 74.6099361°W |
| Owner | 11938053 Canada Inc. (2022–present) |
| Opened | 3 August 1964 |
| Former names | Circuit Mont-Tremblant-St-Jovite |
| Major events | Former: Formula One Canadian Grand Prix (1968, 1970) Can-Am Mont-Tremblant Can-Am (1966, 1969–1971, 1977–1978) Trans-Am Trois Heures du Circuit (1968–1971, 1977–1978) USAC Championship Car Saint-Jovite 200 (1967–1968) Rolex Sports Car Series 6 Hours of Mont-Tremblant (2002–2005) Champ Car World Series Mont-Tremblant Champ Car Grand Prix (2007) Canadian Superbike Championship (2003–2004, 2006–2007, 2012–2013) Canadian Touring Car Championship (2012–2013) |
| Road Course (2004–present) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 2.621 mi (4.218 km) |
| Turns | 17 |
| Race lap record | 1:17.327 ( Sébastien Bourdais, Panoz DP01, 2007, Champ Car) |
| North Course (2002–present) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 1.529 mi (2.460 km) |
| Turns | 12 |
| Race lap record | 1:21.691 ( Jordan Szoke, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, 2008, SBK) |
| South Course (2002–present) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 1.187 mi (1.910 km) |
| Turns | 7 |
| Road Course (1965–2002) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 2.650 mi (4.265 km) |
| Turns | 15 |
| Race lap record | 1:24.201 ( Fredy Lienhard, Jr., Dallara SP1, 2002, LMP900) |
| Original North Road Course (1964–2002) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 1.560 mi (2.510 km) |
| Turns | 12 |
| Race lap record | 1:09.900 ( Jim Hall, Chaparral 2A, 1965, Group 4) |
Circuit Mont-Tremblant is a famous race track in Quebec, Canada. It's about 4.2 kilometers (2.6 miles) long and is located near the city of Mont-Tremblant. This track is the second-oldest race circuit still in use in Canada. It was first called Circuit Mont-Tremblant-St-Jovite before its name changed in the 1970s. The track is known for its challenging turns and changes in elevation, using the natural hills around the Mont-Tremblant ski area.
Contents
History of the Race Track
The idea for Circuit Mont-Tremblant came from local businesses. They wanted to attract more tourists during the spring and summer, just like they did in the winter ski season.
How the Track Was Built
The famous race car driver Bruce McLaren helped design the track. It was built in two parts. The first part, a 2.5-kilometer (1.5-mile) circuit with twelve turns, opened in 1964. The next year, it was made longer, reaching 4.2 kilometers (2.6 miles).
Exciting Races in the 1960s and 1970s
The very first race was held on August 3, 1964. Ludwig Heimrath won it in his Cooper-Ford car. Soon after, a bridge, media center, and pit stops were added for bigger races.
In 1965, the longer track hosted its first big event, won by John Surtees. A year later, in 1966, the track held the first-ever Canadian-American (Can-Am) Challenge Cup Series Race. John Surtees won again, with Bruce McLaren coming in second.
Mario Andretti, another racing legend, won two major Indy Car races here in both 1967 and 1968.
Circuit Mont-Tremblant also hosted the exciting Formula One Canadian Grand Prix twice, in 1968 and 1970. In 1968, Denny Hulme won the race. In 1970, Jacky Ickx took first place. Many other top racing series, like Can-Am and Trans-Am, also raced here. Famous drivers like Jackie Stewart, Dan Gurney, and Gilles Villeneuve all competed at this track.
Canadian Racing Stars in the 1980s and 1990s
During the 1980s and 1990s, the track became a place for Canadian racing series. These events helped launch the careers of many well-known Canadian drivers. Some of these stars include Paul Tracy, Ron Fellows, and Alex Tagliani.
The Jim Russell Racing School
The circuit is also home to the famous Jim Russell Racing Driver School, which started in 1969. This school has trained many future racing champions. Some of its famous graduates include Gilles Villeneuve, Jacques Villeneuve, and more recently, current F1 drivers Lance Stroll and Nicholas Latifi.
In 2010, a special karting track was added. It helps young drivers learn and improve their skills, and it has even hosted national championships.
Modern Updates and Events
New owners have worked hard to make the track even better. They have repaved and widened the track, made the pit lane bigger, and added more safety areas. These updates have allowed major racing series like Grand Am and Indy Car to return.
Today, the track is very popular for driving clubs, company events, and car manufacturers. Brands like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche use it to launch new cars and host special driving programs. In 2022, a company owned by Montreal businessman Gad Bitton bought the track.
Events Held at Circuit Mont-Tremblant
Circuit Mont-Tremblant hosts many exciting races and events throughout the year.
- Current Events
- May: VARAC Vintage Racing Spring Classic (classic car races)
- July: VARAC Vintage Racing Summer Classic
- September: VARAC Vintage Racing Fall Classic
- Former Major Events
Over the years, the track has hosted many important races, including:
- Formula One Canadian Grand Prix (1968, 1970)
- Can-Am Mont-Tremblant Can-Am (several years in the 1960s and 1970s)
- Champ Car World Series Mont-Tremblant Champ Car Grand Prix (2007)
- Rolex Sports Car Series 6 Hours of Mont-Tremblant (2002–2005)
- Canadian Superbike Championship (many years between 2003 and 2013)
- Trans-Am Series Trois Heures du Circuit (several years in the 1960s and 1970s)
See also
In Spanish: Circuito Mont-Tremblant para niños
- List of auto racing tracks in Canada
- Other Montreal area race tracks
- Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
- Circuit ICAR
- Sanair Super Speedway
