Mont-Tremblant
Encyclopedia
Circuit Mont-Tremblant is a 4.26 km (2.65 mi) race circuit about 13 km (8.1 mi) north of the village of Mont-Tremblant, Quebec
, Canada
. Formerly the village of Saint-Jovite was often included in the name but was amalgamated in 2000.
events staged here. Of the forty cars entered in those two races (1968
& 1970
), only 16 reached the checkered flag.
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 feature in accordance with current FIA regulations. The resulting redevelopment forced the park to close for the entire 2000 and 2001 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 12 m (39.4 ft). 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 3.5 metres (11.5 ft) for safety, while Namerow corner was modified for runoff.
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 track record, with a time of 1.16.776 in a Panoz DP01.
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Formerly the village of Saint-Jovite was often included in the name but was amalgamated in 2000.
History
The first of two sections of the circuit was built in 1964 and extended by another mile by 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 their cars, both near identical Lola T70s, launched themselves into the air. Both drivers emerged unhurt but were unable to compete in the race. The Canadian winters quickly rendered track surface very bumpy, however, and as a result the attrition rate was quite high in the two Canadian Grand PrixCanadian Grand Prix
The Canadian Grand Prix , abbreviated as gpc, is an annual auto race held in Canada starting in 1961. It has been part of the Formula One World Championship since 1967...
events staged here. Of the forty cars entered in those two races (1968
1968 Canadian Grand Prix
The 1968 Canadian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at the Mont-Tremblant Circuit on September 22, 1968. It was the tenth round of the 1968 Formula One season.- Classification :-Standings after the race:Drivers' Championship standings...
& 1970
1970 Canadian Grand Prix
The 1970 Canadian Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at Circuit Mont-Tremblant on September 20, 1970.- Classification :-Standings after the race:Drivers' Championship standingsConstructors' Championship standings...
), only 16 reached the checkered flag.
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
-based fashion mogul Lawrence Stroll in 2000, who tapped track architect Alan Wilson
Alan Wilson (motorsport)
Alan L. Wilson is an American designer of motorsports road course race tracks.Considered one of the most prolific track designers, Wilson has designed and built more than 20 race courses, including Miller Motorsports Park, , Barber Motorsports Park, Motorsports Park Hastings, Gingerman Raceway and...
to redesign the circuit, with the aim of modernizing its safety feature in accordance with current FIA regulations. The resulting redevelopment forced the park to close for the entire 2000 and 2001 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 12 m (39.4 ft). A chicane
Chicane
A chicane is an artificial feature creating extra turns in a road, used in motor racing and on city streets to slow cars to lower speeds.- Motor Racing :...
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 3.5 metres (11.5 ft) for safety, while Namerow corner was modified for runoff.
On July 1, 2007, Mont-Tremblant hosted a round
Mont-Tremblant Champ Car Grand Prix
The Mont-Tremblant Champ Car Grand Prix was an auto race in the Champ Car World Series. It was held atCircuit Mont-Tremblant, in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada....
of the Champ Car World Series, marking the series' first race
Champ Car Mont-Tremblant 07
The Champ Car Mont-Tremblant 07 is the sixth round of the 2007 Champ Car World Series Season. It was held on July 1 at the Circuit Mont-Tremblant, in Saint-Jovite, Quebec, Canada...
at the circuit since Indy cars competed there in 1967 and 1968, when Mario Andretti
Mario Andretti
Mario Gabriele Andretti is a retired Italian American world champion racing driver, one of the most successful Americans in the history of the sport. He is one of only two drivers to win races in Formula One, IndyCar, World Sportscar Championship and NASCAR...
won all four races. The race featured many lead changes and ended in wet weather, with Robert Doornbos
Robert Doornbos
Robert Michael Doornbos is a Dutch racing driver. He has been test and third driver for the Jordan and Red Bull Racing Formula One teams, as well as driving for Minardi and Red Bull Racing in 2005 and 2006. Doornbos then drove for Minardi Team USA in the 2007 and final season of the Champ Car...
emerging victorious. In this race, French driver Tristan Gommendy set the track record, with a time of 1.16.776 in a Panoz DP01.
Former Events
| Series | Race | Era |
|---|---|---|
| Formula One Formula One Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which... |
Grand Prix of Canada | 1968, 1970 |
| USAC IndyCar | Mont-Tremblant Grand Prix Mont-Tremblant Champ Car Grand Prix The Mont-Tremblant Champ Car Grand Prix was an auto race in the Champ Car World Series. It was held atCircuit Mont-Tremblant, in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada.... |
1967, 1968 |
| Champ Car Champ Car Champ Car was the name for a class and specification of open wheel cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades, primarily for use in the Indianapolis 500 auto race... |
Mont-Tremblant Champ Car Grand Prix Mont-Tremblant Champ Car Grand Prix The Mont-Tremblant Champ Car Grand Prix was an auto race in the Champ Car World Series. It was held atCircuit Mont-Tremblant, in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada.... |
2007, 2008 |
| Can Am | ||
| American Le Mans Series American Le Mans Series The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón is a sports car racing series based in the United States and Canada. It consists of a series of endurance and sprint races, and was created in the spirit of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Teams compete in one of five classes: LMP1, LMP2 and LMPC... |
||
| Rolex Sports Car Series Rolex Sports Car Series The Rolex Sports Car Series is the premier series run by the Grand American Road Racing Association. It is a North American-based sports car series that was founded in 2000 under the name Grand American Road Racing Championship to replace the failed United States Road Racing Championship... |
||
See also
- Other Montreal area race tracks
- Circuit Gilles VilleneuveCircuit Gilles VilleneuveThe Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a motor racing circuit, venue for the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series....
- Sanair Super SpeedwaySanair Super SpeedwaySanair Super Speedway is a .826 mile paved triangular oval race track. The facility also holds a quarter mile dragstrip. It is located in Saint-Pie, Quebec. It hosted the Molson Indy Montreal from 1984 to 1986...
- Circuit Gilles Villeneuve