Circuit Mont-Tremblant

Circuit Mont-Tremblant () is a race circuit about south of the village of Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada. The name of the village of Saint-Jovite was often included in the name of the circuit, but since the village was amalgamated into Mont-Tremblant in the year 2000, it is no longer considered or functions as an independent entity.

History

The first two sections of the circuit were built in 1964 and extended by another mile into September 1965. The extension featured long straights and by virtue of the terrain, a small hill. Nicknamed "the Hump" it gained legendary status during the inaugural 1966 Can Am race. Two drivers in practice found that their cars, both near identical Lola T70 CanAm cars, launched themselves into the air. Both drivers emerged unhurt but were unable to compete in the race. The Canadian winters quickly rendered the track surface very bumpy and as a result, the attrition rate was quite high in the two Canadian Grand Prix Formula One events staged at the circuit. Of the 40 cars entered in those two races (20 each, in 1968 and 1970), 21 reached the checkered flag (with only 16 classified – the rest finishing too far behind the race winners).

The track complex was purchased by Montreal-based fashion mogul Lawrence Stroll in 2000, who tapped track architect Alan Wilson to redesign the circuit, with the aim of modernizing its safety features in accordance with current FIA regulations. The resulting redevelopment forced the park to close for the entire 2000 and 2001 racing seasons.

A major overhaul of the circuit in 2004 allowed more domestic and continental sportscar races to be held. Pit road was lengthened and widened featuring a new pit exit, while the pit straight was widened to . A chicane was added in Turn 2, while Turns 6 and 10 were modified to create two separate circuits which could be run simultaneously. The signature hump was lowered for safety, while Namerow corner was modified for additional runoff. The track features 28 metres of elevation change.

On July 1, 2007, Mont-Tremblant hosted a round of the Champ Car World Series, marking the series' first race at the circuit since Indy cars competed there in 1967 and 1968, when Mario Andretti won all four races. The race featured many lead changes and ended in wet weather, with Robert Doornbos emerging victorious. In this race, French driver Tristan Gommendy set the unofficial track record in the qualifying, with a time of 1.16.776 in a Panoz DP01.

Current Series

* Mopar Canadian Superbike Championship
* Canadian Touring Car Championship
*Ferrari Challenge
* Historic Motor Sports Association
* Formula Tour 1600

Former Series & Major Race Winners

FIA Formula One World Championship

Champ Car World Series

USAC Championship Car (IndyCar)

SCCA Can-Am Series

SCCA Trans-Am Series

SCCA United States Road Racing Championship

SCCA Formula 5000

Atlantic Championship

Grand American Road Racing Championship

Lap Records

The official race lap records at Circuit Mont-Tremblant ( St. Jovite) are listed as:

See also

* List of auto racing tracks in Canada
* Other Montreal area race tracks
** Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
** Circuit ICAR
** Sanair Super Speedway

Notes

References

The Chequered Past: Sports Car Racing and Rallying in Canada, 1951–1991 By David A. Charters

External links

Official site

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Champ Car circuits
Formula One circuits
Canadian Grand Prix
Sports venues in Quebec
Road racing venues in Canada
Motorsport venues in Quebec
Tourist attractions in Laurentides
Buildings and structures in Laurentides
1964 establishments in Quebec
Sports venues completed in 1964