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Circuit Mont-Tremblant

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Circuit Mont-Tremblant is a 4.26 km (2.65 mi) race circuit located approximately 130 km (80 mi) north of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.  It is the second-oldest existing race track in Canada, and was originally known as Circuit Mont-Tremblant-St-Jovite until it was renamed in the 1970s. Set in the shadow of the Mont-Tremblant ski hill, the twisting fifteen-corner track uses the natural topography and elevation of the land.

Circuit Mont-Tremblant
Logo PMTRT rgb.jpg

Circuit Mont-Tremblant Track Map.svg
Circuit Mont-Tremblant
Location1281 Chemin du Village
Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada
Time zoneUTC-05:00
Coordinates46°11′15.74″N 74°36′35.77″W / 46.1877056°N 74.6099361°W / 46.1877056; -74.6099361Coordinates: 46°11′15.74″N 74°36′35.77″W / 46.1877056°N 74.6099361°W / 46.1877056; -74.6099361
Owner11938053 Canada Inc. (2022–present)
OpenedSeptember 1964
ArchitectAlan Wilson (2000 redesign)
Major eventsFormula One
Canadian Grand Prix (1968, 1970)


Can-Am
Mont-Tremblant Can-Am
(1966, 1969–1971, 1977–1978)
Trans-Am
Trois Heures du Circuit
(1968–1971, 1977–1978)
USAC Championship Car
Mont-Tremblant Grand Prix
(1967–1968)
Grand Am Rolex Sports Car Series
6 Hours of Mont-Tremblant
(2002–2005)


Champ Car World Series
Mont-Tremblant Champ Car Grand Prix (2007)
Road Course (2004–present)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length2.621 miles (4.218 km)
Turns17
Race lap record1:17.327 (France Sébastien Bourdais, Panoz DP01, 2007, Champ Car)
Road Course (1965–2003)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length2.650 miles (4.260 km)
Turns15
Race lap record1:24.201 (Switzerland Fredy Lienhard, Jr., Dallara SP1, 2002, LMP900)
North Course (1964–present)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length1.529 miles (2.460 km)
Turns12
Race lap record1:09.900 (United States Jim Hall, Chaparral 2A, 1965, Group 4)
South Course (2002–present)[1]
SurfaceAsphalt
Length1.187 miles (1.910 km)
Turns7

HistoryEdit

The idea was conceived by local business and hoteliers to boost tourism during the slower spring and summer periods to the levels they enjoyed during winter’s peak ski season. 

Legendary race driver Bruce McLaren is credited[by whom?] as a contributor to the design of the track which was completed in two sections; the original 2.51km (1.56mi) circuit was opened in 1964 and was extended to 4.27km (2.65mi) the following year.

 
The Control Tower and start-finish straight, looking west against the flow of the circuit, towards the Namerow corner.

The 1960’s – 1970’s

The first race was held August 3, 1964 on the original twelve-turn 2.51km (1.56mi) circuit and won by Ludwig Heimrath driving a Cooper-Ford.  The completion of the bridge, media/officials complex and the pit stalls were ready just prior to the next race that September featuring sports cars and prototypes. Pedro Rodríguez driving Luigi Chinetti’s (N.A.R.T) Ferrari 330 P would go on to win that race.

The Player’s Quebec Sports Car race in September 1965 would be the first event on the newly-expanded 4.27km (2.65mi) track and was won by John Surtees driving a Lola T-70.

On September 11, 1966 the track debuted the inaugural Canadian-American (CAN-AM) Challenge Cup Series Race. John Surtees would win this event, followed by Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon. 

The following summer, on 6 August 1967, Mario Andretti would win both races of the twin 100-mile double header U.S.A.C. Indy Car event ahead of A.J. Foyt. A year later, Andretti would the repeat the same achievement, this time beating out Bobby Unser.

Circuit Mont-Tremblant hosted the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix on two occasions, in 1968 and 1970. Jochen Rindt started the 1968 race from pole position, but Denny Hulme went on to win. The second race marked the debut of the Tyrrell Racing team as a constructor. Jackie Stewart set the pole time and a new track record in the new Tyrrell 001. The Ferraris of Jacky Ickx and Clay Regazzoni would finish 1st and 2nd ahead of Chris Amon in 3rd.  

Throughout the late 1960’s and 70’s many of North America’s other top tier race championships such as CAN-AM, Trans-Am, Formula 5000 and Formula Atlantic made their championship stops to the track. Many now famous drivers such as Denny Hulme, Bruce McLaren, Dan Gurney, Jackie Stewart, Bobby Rahal, Chris Amon, Mark Donohue, Roger Penske, Parnelli Jones, Al and Bobby Unser, Gordon Johncock, Alan Jones, Peter Revson, John Cannon, Elliot Forbes-Robinson, George Follmer and Gilles Villeneuve all competed at Circuit Mont-Tremblant during these years.

The 1980’s – 1990’s

Strong National Series such as the Rothmans Porsche (Turbo) Cup, the Players GM Challenge Series, the Honda-Michelin Series, Export A Formula 2000 and the Canadian Formula 1600 series would be predominant throughout the mid 1980’s and 90’s, giving rise to some of Canada's most prominent and recognized racing drivers, including Paul Tracy, Scott Goodyear, Rob Fellows, Greg Moore, Claude Bourbonnais, Richard Spenard, Patrick Carpentier and Alex Tagliani.

The Jim Russell Racing School

The circuit is also home to the well-known Jim Russell Racing Driver School (est. 1969) which is notable for graduating Gilles Villeneuve, Jacques Villeneuve, and more recently, current F1 drivers Lance Stroll and Nicholas Latifi.

A CIK-FIA rated karting facility was added in 2010 to compliment the Jim Russell Racing School's development of young drivers, and has played host to the Canadian nationals.  

The 2000’s - present

New ownership has concentrated on updating the facility to improved FIA standards by repaving, widening the track, expanding the pit lane, and creating greater run-off areas without losing the character and charm of the original layout.  These updates have permitted the return of racing series like Grand Am (formerly CAN-AM) and Champcar (formerly Indy Car) along with Superbikes and Historic Racing.  The historic reputation of the race track and Mont-Tremblant’s appeal as a tourist destination keeps the track in constant demand amongst driving clubs, corporate events and major automotive manufacturers for car launches and driving programs such as Ferrari’s Corso Pilota, Lamborghini, Porsche, Audi, McLaren, Volvo, and BMW among others. On July 21, 2022, the track complex was purchased by 11938053 Canada Inc.[2], a company owned by Montreal businessman Gad Bitton of Holand Automotive Group.[3]

Current seriesEdit

[4]

Former series and major race winnersEdit

FIA Formula One World ChampionshipEdit

Main article: Canadian Grand Prix
Year Race Driver Constructor Report
1968 Player's Canadian Grand Prix   Denny Hulme McLaren-Ford Report
1970   Jacky Ickx Ferrari Report

Champ Car World SeriesEdit

Main article: Mont-Tremblant Champ Car Grand Prix
Year Race Driver Team Chassis Engine Report
2007 Mont-Tremblant Champ Car Grand Prix   Robert Doornbos Minardi Team USA Panoz Cosworth Report

USAC Championship Car (IndyCar)Edit

Year Race Driver Team Chassis Engine
1967 Labatt Indy   Mario Andretti Dean Racing Enterprises Brawner Hawk Ford
1968 Saint-Jovite 200   Mario Andretti Andretti Racing Enterprises Brawner Hawk Ford

SCCA Can-Am SeriesEdit

Year Date Race Driver Team
1966 Sept 11 Player's 200   John Surtees   #3 Team Surtees
1969 June 15 Labatt's 50   Denny Hulme   #5 McLaren Cars
1970 June 28 Mont-Tremblant 50   Dan Gurney   #48 Bruce McLaren Motor Racing
1971 June 27 Mont-Tremblant 50   Jackie Stewart   #1 Carl Haas Racing
1977 June 12   Tom Klausler   Schkee Cars
1978 June 25   George Follmer   U.S. Racing

SCCA Trans-Am SeriesEdit

Year Date Race Drivers Car Distance/Duration
1968 July 21 Les Trois Heures du Circuit   Mark Donohue Chevrolet Camaro 3 Hours / 96 Laps
254.4 mi (409.4 km) 		[5]
1969 Aug 3 Les Trois Heures du Circuit   Mark Donohue Chevrolet Camaro 3 Hours / 97 Laps
257 mi (414 km) 		[6]
1970 Aug 2 Le Circuit Trans-Am   Mark Donohue AMC Javelin 70 Laps
185.5 mi (298.5 km) 		[7]
1970 Aug 2 Le Circuit Trans-Am   Mark Donohue AMC Javelin 70 Laps
185.5 mi (298.5 km) 		[7]
1971 Aug 1 Player's Quebec Trans-Am   Mark Donohue AMC Javelin 70 Laps
185.5 mi (298.5 km) 		[8]
1977 Sept 11 Molson Trans-Am   Peter Gregg Porsche 934 38 Laps
100.7 mi (162.1 km) 		[9]
1978 June 25 Molson Trans-Am   Monte Shelton Porsche 935 38 Laps
100.7 mi (162.1 km) 		[10]

SCCA United States Road Racing ChampionshipEdit

Year Date Race Over 2.0 Winning Driver Over 2.0 Winning Team Under 2.0 Winning Driver Under 2.0 Winning Team
1968 June 2 Championnat Nord-Americain   Mark Donohue #6 Roger Penske Racing   Horst Kroll #37 Altona Motors [11]

SCCA Formula 5000Edit

Year Date Race Driver Chassis Engine
1967 Sept 17 St Jovite Grand Prix   Fred Ashplant Brabham BT21 Ford [12]
1969 Sept 7 Le Circuit Continental   David Hobbs Surtees TS5 Chevrolet [13]
1970 Aug 1 Le Circuit Continental   George Follmer Lotus 70 Ford [14]

Atlantic ChampionshipEdit

Year Date Driver
1975 July 6   Elliott Forbes-Robinson [15]
1976 July 11   Gilles Villeneuve [16]
2007 July 1   Franck Perera [17]
2008 June 29   Junior Strous [18]

Grand American Road Racing ChampionshipEdit

Year Date Race Driver Team Chassis Engine
2002 Sept 15 6 Heures du Circuit Mont-Tremblant   Didier Theys
  Fredy Lienhard Sr.
  Fredy Lienhard Jr. 		  #27 Doran Lista Racing Dallara LMP Judd [19]
2003 Sept 21   David Donohue
  Mike Borkowski
 Sascha Maassen 		  #58 Brumos Racing Fabcar FDSC/03 Porsche [20]
2004 May 23   Scott Pruett
  Max Papis 		  #01 CompUSA Chip Ganassi with Felix Sabates Riley Mk XI Lexus [21]
2005 May 21   Milka Duno
  Andy Wallace
  Jan Lammers 		  #2 CITGO Howard-Boss Motorsports Crawford DP03 Pontiac [22]

[23]

Lap recordsEdit

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

Category Time Driver Vehicle Date
Road Course: 4.218 km (2004–present)
Champ Car 1:17.327 Sébastien Bourdais Panoz DP01 Champ Car Mont-Tremblant 07
Formula Atlantic 1:21.157[24] Carl Skerlong Swift 016.a 2007 Mont-Tremblant Formula Atlantic round
Daytona Prototype 1:29.308[25] Max Angelelli Riley MkXI 2004 6 Hours of Mont-Tremblant
GT 1:36.519[25] Bill Auberlen BMW M3 (E46) GTR 2004 6 Hours of Mont-Tremblant
Porsche Carrera Cup 1:36.610[26] Parker Thompson Porsche 911 (991 II) GT3 Cup 2019 Mont-Tremblant Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge round
Superbike 1:39.711[27] Jordan Szoke BMW S1000RR 2013 Mont-Tremblant CSBK round
SGS 1:42.301[25] Randy Pobst Porsche 911 (996) GT3 Cup 2004 6 Hours of Mont-Tremblant
F1600 1:43.418[28] Michel Bonnet Vector MG95 2011 Mont-Tremblant Canadian F1600 round
Super 2000 1:46.847[29] Mathieu Audette Acura RSX Type S 2013 Mont-Tremblant CTCC round
Road Course: 4.260 km (1965–2003)[30]
LMP900 1:24.201[31] Fredy Lienhard, Jr. Dallara SP1 2002 6 Hours of Mont-Tremblant
DP 1:31.176[32] Terry Borcheller Doran JE4 2003 6 Hours of Mont-Tremblant
LMP675 1:31.803[31] Andy Lally Picchio D-USA-BMW 2002 6 Hours of Mont-Tremblant
GTS 1:31.856[32] Tommy Riggins Ford Mustang 2003 6 Hours of Mont-Tremblant
F1 1:32.200 Clay Regazzoni Ferrari 312B 1970 Canadian Grand Prix
Can-Am 1:33.400[33] Alan Jones Lola T333CS 1978 Mont-Tremblant Can-Am round
Formula Atlantic 1:35.033[34] Gilles Villeneuve March 76B 1976 Mont-Tremblant Formula Atlantic round
American GT 1:35.233[31] Rob Morgan Chevrolet Corvette 2002 6 Hours of Mont-Tremblant
GT 1:35.910[32] Cort Wagner Ferrari 360 Modena GT 2003 6 Hours of Mont-Tremblant
U.S.A.C. IndyCar 1:37.550[35] Mario Andretti Brawner Hawk 1968 St. Jovite Heat 1
F5000 1:39.000[36] George Follmer Lotus 70 1970 Mont-Tremblant F5000 round
Trans-Am 1:41.513[37] Ludwig Heimrath Porsche 934/5 1977 Mont-Tremblant Trans-Am round
Group 7 1:44.900[38] Bruce McLaren McLaren-Elva Mk.IIB Chevrolet 1966 Labatt 50
Group 4 1:46.200[39] John Surtees Lola T70 Mk.2 1965 Player's Québec Mont-Tremblant
Porsche Carrera Cup 1:46.932[31] Michael Levitas Porsche 911 (996) GT3 Cup 2002 6 Hours of Mont-Tremblant
Group 2 1:52.100[40] Sam Posey Chevrolet Camaro 1968 Mont-Tremblant 3 Hours
Group 3 1:56.700[41] Jean-Paul Ostiguy AC Cobra 1967 St. Jean 67, U.S.A.M. Mont-Tremblant
Original North Road Course: 2.460 km (1964–present)
Group 4 1:09.900[42] Jim Hall Chaparral 2A 1965 La Course Labatt 50
Prototype 1:16.600[43] Pedro Rodríguez[a]
Ludwig Heimrath[a]		 Ferrari 275 P[a]
Cooper T61[a]		 1964 Player's Québec Trophy
Formula Junior 1:20.800[44][45] Walt Mackay[b]
Norm Evenden[b]		 Lotus 18[b]
Cooper-Chevrolet[b]		 1964 Regional Mont-Tremblant (Invitational)[b]
1964 Regional Mont-Tremblant (Trophy)[b]
Group 3 1:21.700[46] Jean Ouellet AC Cobra 1964 Regional Mont-Tremblant (Main)

See alsoEdit

NotesEdit

  1. ^ a b c d Both drivers took the same lap time in the same race independently.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Both drivers took the same lap time in different races independently.

ReferencesEdit

  1. ^ "Mont-Tremblant Racingcircuits". Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  2. ^ Brasseur, Philippe. "Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant change de propriétaire !". www.poleposition.ca (in French). Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  3. ^ "Montreal-based Dealership Group Acquires Circuit Mont-Tremblant". finance.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  4. ^ "Circuit Mont-Tremblant Events". Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant. Archived from the original on 2007-04-15. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  5. ^ "1968 Trans-Am Box Scores" (PDF). SCCA Archives. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
  6. ^ "1969 Trans-Am Box Scores" (PDF). SCCA Archives. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
  7. ^ a b "1970 Trans-Am Box Scores" (PDF). SCCA Archives. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2013-05-04.
  8. ^ "1971 Trans-Am Box Scores" (PDF). SCCA Archives. Retrieved 2013-05-04.
  9. ^ "1977 Trans-Am Box Scores" (PDF). SCCA Archives. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-07-16. Retrieved 2013-05-04.
  10. ^ "1978 Trans-Am Box Scores" (PDF). SCCA Archives. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-04-24. Retrieved 2013-05-04.
  11. ^ "SCCA US Road Racing Championship race". ultimateracinghistory.com. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  12. ^ "St Jovite Grand Prix". oldracingcars.com. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  13. ^ "Le Circuit Continental". oldracingcars.com. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  14. ^ "Le Circuit Continental". oldracingcars.com. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  15. ^ "1975 CASC Player's Challenge Series". champcarstats.com. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  16. ^ "1976 CASC Player's Challenge Series". champcarstats.com. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  17. ^ "2007 Cooper Tires Presents the Champ Car Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda". champcarstats.com. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  18. ^ "2008 Cooper Tires Presents the Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda". champcarstats.com. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  19. ^ "6 h Mont Tremblant". World Sports Racing Prototypes. Archived from the original on 2008-10-12. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  20. ^ "6 h Mont Tremblant". World Sports Racing Prototypes. Archived from the original on 2008-10-12. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  21. ^ "6 h Mont Tremblant". World Sports Racing Prototypes. Archived from the original on 2008-10-12. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  22. ^ "6 h Mont Tremblant". World Sports Racing Prototypes. Archived from the original on 2008-10-12. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  23. ^ "Circuit Mont-Tremblant". Ultimate Racing History. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  24. ^ "2007 Formula Atlantic Mont Tremblant". Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  25. ^ a b c "Mont-Tremblant 6 Hours 2004". Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  26. ^ "The Fall Classic Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Yokohama >> Race 2 Unofficial Results (45 Minutes)" (PDF). Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  27. ^ "Szoke Wraps Up Record Ninth Canadian Superbike Championship With Race Victory At Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant". 26 August 2013. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  28. ^ "Classique d'été #2 - Points obtenus" (PDF). Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  29. ^ "Round 7 Race (30 min)". Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  30. ^ "St. Jovite - Motorsport Magazine". Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  31. ^ a b c d "Mont-Tremblant 6 Hours 2002". Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  32. ^ a b c "Mont-Tremblant 6 Hours 2003". Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  33. ^ "Can-Am Mont-Tremblant 1978". Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  34. ^ "Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant, Players Quebec, July 11 Juillet 1976". Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  35. ^ "1968 St. Jovite Heat 1". Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  36. ^ "Mont-Tremblant, 1 Aug 1970". Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  37. ^ "Trans-Am Mont-Tremblant 1977". Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  38. ^ "Labatt 50 Mont-Tremblant 1966". Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  39. ^ "Player's Mont-Tremblant 1965". Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  40. ^ "Mont-Tremblant 3 Hours 1968". Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  41. ^ "St. Jean 67, U.S.A.M. Mont-Tremblant 1967". Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  42. ^ "Labatt 50 Mont-Tremblant 1965". Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  43. ^ "Mont-Tremblant [SP] 1964". Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  44. ^ "Regional Mont-Tremblant [Invitational] 1964". Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  45. ^ "Regional Mont-Tremblant [Trophy] 1964". Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  46. ^ "Regional Mont-Tremblant [Main] 1964". Retrieved 22 May 2022.

External linksEdit

 
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