Circuit Mont-Tremblant

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Circuit Mont-Tremblant
Location	Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada
Active from	September 1964 -
Major events	Canadian Grand Prix, Atlantic Championship
Surface	Asphalt
Length	2.65 mi (4.26 km)
Turns	17
Lap record	1:16.776 (Tristan Gommendy, Panoz DP01, 2007, Champ Car)

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.

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.<ref>http://wsrp.ic.cz/canam1966.html</ref> 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 Prix 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.<ref name="GrandPrix.com">http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/cir-048.html Retrieved 21 December 2007.</ref> The resulting redevelopment forced the park to close for the entire 2000 and 2001 seasons.<ref>http://www.na-motorsports.com/Tracks/CAN/QUE/MontTremblant.html Retrieved 21 December 2007.</ref>

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.<ref name="GrandPrix.com"/> 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.

Tenants

• Atlantic Championship

Former Events

Series	Race	Era
Formula One	Grand Prix of Canada	1968, 1970
USAC IndyCar	Mont-Tremblant Grand Prix	1967, 1968
Champ Car	Mont-Tremblant Champ Car Grand Prix	2007, 2008
Can Am
American Le Mans Series
Rolex Sports Car Series

See also

• Other Montreal area race tracks
  • Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
  • Sanair Super Speedway

References

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

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Circuit Mont-Tremblant

• Official site