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6 most-know facts about the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park

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Khatir Soltani
The road course of the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park will be the stage of the Chevrolet Silverado 250 of the NASCAR Truck series this weekend.

The road circuit, known as Mosport until a few years ago, is 3.957km long and features 10 high-speed, difficult corners, making it one of the most challenging race tracks in North America.

Here are 6 things to know about this circuit.

1
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park has been presenting major league entertainment since 1961, primarily motorsport events. The 910-acre, multi-track facility is located less than an hour east of Toronto.

Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
Photo: CTMP

2
The first race event was held June 3, 1961. It was a non-spectator event organized by the Oakville-Trafalgar Light Car Club. The winner of the first race at Mosport was Sam Bird in a Triumph TR3.

3
The first professional race was staged June 24, 1961. Stirling Moss of England drove a Lotus 19 to victory in the first Player’s 200. Joakim Bonnier of Sweden was second overall and under 2-litre class winner in a Porsche RS61.

Player’s 200
Photo: Player’s Phototheque

4
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park is one of only two race tracks to have hosted Formula 1, IndyCar, FIA World Endurance Championship and Can-Am races. The other is Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York.

5
In 1967 Canada joined the Formula 1 circuit, as Mosport hosted the first Canadian Grand Prix. Despite rain, the crowd was huge (58,000) as Jack Brabham drove to victory over Denny Hulme.

6
Canadian Gilles Villeneuve contested his first Grand Prix for Ferrari at Mosport in 1977. Driving Niki Lauda’s abandoned Ferrari 312 T2, Villeneuve qualified 17th. He was classified 12th in the race, completing just 76 of the 80 laps because of a broken transmission.

Gilles Villeneuve
Gilles Villeneuve. (Photo: WRi2)


Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada