Mosport Can-Am facts for kids
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| Canadian-American Challenge Cup | |
|---|---|
| Location | Mosport Park Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada |
| Corporate sponsor | Pepsi-Cola, Player's, Labatt's, Molson, Budweiser |
| First race | 1966 |
| First Can-Am race | 1986 |
| Most wins (driver) | Denny Hulme (3) |
| Most wins (team) | McLaren (5) |
| Most wins (manufacturer) | Frissbee (7) |
| Circuit information | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 3.957 km (2.459 mi) |
| Turns | 10 |
The Mosport Can-Am races were exciting sports car races that took place in Canada. These races were part of the Canadian-American Challenge Cup, often called the Can-Am series. They were held at the Mosport International Raceway in Bowmanville, Ontario. The races happened every year from 1966 to 1986, except for a short break.
Contents
What Was Can-Am Racing?
The Can-Am series was a special type of sports car racing. It was known for its powerful cars and fast speeds. These cars were often called "unlimited" because there were very few rules about their design. This meant engineers could build incredibly fast and strong cars.
The races were held on different tracks across North America. Mosport was one of the most popular places for these thrilling events.
Champions of Mosport Can-Am
Many famous drivers and teams competed in the Mosport Can-Am races. They all wanted to win the prestigious trophies.
Top Drivers
- Denny Hulme from New Zealand was a standout driver. He won the Mosport Can-Am race three times. He drove for the McLaren team.
- Other notable winners included Bruce McLaren, Dan Gurney, and Jackie Oliver.
- In later years, drivers like Patrick Tambay and Al Unser Jr. also won multiple times.
- Canadian drivers like Jacques Villeneuve and Horst Kroll also took home victories.
Winning Teams and Cars
- The McLaren team was very successful at Mosport. They won five races with their powerful cars.
- Cars like the Lola T70, McLaren M6A, and Porsche 917 were among the early winners.
- Later, cars like the Lola T330 and Frissbee GR2/GR3 became dominant. The Frissbee cars, in particular, won seven times, making them the most successful manufacturer.
Race Highlights Over the Years
The first Mosport Can-Am race was in 1966. It was called the "6th Canadian Grand Prix for the Pepsi-Cola Trophy." Mark Donohue won this historic first race.
The races continued almost every year. There was a short break in the series from 1975 to 1976. The Can-Am series then returned in 1977. The last Mosport Can-Am race took place in September 1986. Paul Tracy won that final race.
See Also
- Grand Prix of Mosport
- Mosport Trans-Am
- Chevrolet Silverado 250
- Mosport 200
- Canadian Grand Prix
- Canadian Motorcycle Grand Prix
- Telegraph Trophy 200 / Molson Diamond Indy
External Links
- World Sports Racing Prototypes Can-Am archive
- Racing Sports Cars Mosport archive
- Ultimate Racing History Mosport archive
