Circuit Mont-Tremblant
Race track in Quebec, Canada
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Circuit Mont-Tremblant is a 4.218 km (2.621 mi) road racing circuit located in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, approximately 130 km (81 mi) north of Montreal, Canada. It is the second-oldest racing circuit in the country. Originally known as Circuit Mont-Tremblant–St-Jovite, the venue was renamed in the 1970s. Situated near the Mont-Tremblant ski resort, the circuit features a twisting fifteen-corner layout that follows the natural topography and elevation changes of the surrounding terrain.
Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada
| |
 Circuit Mont-Tremblant | |
| Location | 1281 Chemin du Village Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 46°11′15.74″N 74°36′35.77″W |
| Owner | 11938053 Canada Inc. (2022–present) |
| Opened | 3 August 1964 |
| Former names | Circuit Mont-Tremblant-St-Jovite |
| Major events | Former: Formula 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 Saint-Jovite 200 (1967–1968) Rolex Sports Car Series 6 Hours of Mont-Tremblant (2002–2005) Champ Car World Series Mont-Tremblant Champ Car Grand Prix (2007) Canadian Superbike Championship (2003–2004, 2006–2007, 2012–2013) Canadian Touring Car Championship (2012–2013) |
| Road Course (2004–present) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 2.621 mi (4.218 km) |
| Turns | 17 |
| Race lap record | 1:17.327 ( Sébastien Bourdais, Panoz DP01, 2007, Champ Car) |
| North Course (2004–present) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 1.529 mi (2.460 km) |
| Turns | 12 |
| Race lap record | 1:21.691 ( Jordan Szoke, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, 2008, SBK) |
| South Course (2004–present) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 1.187 mi (1.910 km) |
| Turns | 7 |
| Road Course (1965–2003) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 2.650 mi (4.265 km) |
| Turns | 15 |
| Race lap record | 1:24.201 ( Fredy Lienhard, Jr., Dallara SP1, 2002, LMP900) |
| Original North Road Course (1964–2002) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 1.560 mi (2.510 km) |
| Turns | 12 |
| Race lap record | 1:09.900 ( Jim Hall, Chaparral 2A, 1965, Group 4) |
History
The concept for Circuit Mont-Tremblant originated with local business owners and hoteliers seeking to extend tourism beyond the winter ski season. Construction was completed in two phases. The original 2.510 km (1.560 mi) layout opened in 1964, and the circuit was extended the following year to 4.265 km (2.650 mi).
The 1960s – 1970s
Circuit Mont-Tremblant hosted its inaugural race on 3 August 1964 on the original twelve-corner layout. By September of that year, construction of the bridge, pit stalls, and media and officials’ facilities had been completed, enabling the circuit to host sports car and prototype events.
The expanded circuit debuted in September 1965 with the Player's Quebec Sports Car Race. On 11 September 1966, the circuit hosted its first Canadian-American Challenge Cup (Can-Am) race. In 1967 and 1968, it hosted consecutive USAC Indy Car twin 100-mile double-header events.
The circuit hosted the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix on two occasions, in 1968 and 1970. The 1970 event was notable for marking the Formula One debut of Tyrrell Racing as a constructor.
Throughout the late 1960s and 1970s, Circuit Mont-Tremblant was a regular venue for major North American racing series, including Can-Am, Trans-Am, Formula 5000, and Formula Atlantic.
Notable drivers who competed at Circuit Mont-Tremblant during this period include Mario Andretti, Chris Amon, Alan Jones, A. J. Foyt, Gordon Johncock, Parnelli Jones, Jacky Ickx, Denny Hulme, Bruce McLaren, Mark Donohue, Dan Gurney, Roger Penske, Peter Revson, Jochen Rindt, Jackie Stewart, John Surtees, Al and Bobby Unser, and Gilles Villeneuve.
The 1980s – 1990s
During the 1980s and 1990s, Circuit Mont-Tremblant regularly hosted prominent Canadian national racing series, including the Rothmans Porsche (Turbo) Cup, Players GM Challenge Series, Honda-Michelin Series, Export A Formula 2000, and the Canadian Formula 1600 Championship. These series played a significant role in the development of Canadian racing talent, including Paul Tracy, Scott Goodyear, Ron Fellows, Greg Moore, Richard Spenard, Patrick Carpentier, and Alex Tagliani.
The Jim Russell Racing School
Circuit Mont-Tremblant is home to the Jim Russell Racing Driver School, established in 1969. The school has produced a number of internationally successful drivers, including Gilles Villeneuve, Jacques Villeneuve, Lance Stroll, and Nicholas Latifi.
A CIK-FIA–rated karting facility was added in 2010 to support driver development programs and has hosted Canadian national karting events.
The 2000s – present
In the 2000s, new ownership initiatives focused on upgrading the facility to improved FIA standards while preserving the circuit's original character. Improvements included track resurfacing and widening, pit lane expansion, and increased run-off areas. These upgrades enabled the return of major racing categories, including sports car racing, open-wheel events, superbike racing, and historic motorsport.
The circuit continues to be used extensively for club racing, corporate events, manufacturer programs, and vehicle launches. On 21 July 2022, the Circuit Mont-Tremblant complex was acquired by 11938053 Canada Inc., a company owned by Montreal businessman Gad Bitton of the Holand Automotive Group.
Events
- Current
- May: Classique Printemps
- July: Classique Été
- September: Classique Automne
- Former
- Atlantic Championship (1975–1976, 2007–2008)
- Can-Am
- Mont-Tremblant Can-Am (1966, 1969–1971, 1977–1978)
- Canadian Superbike Championship (2003–2004, 2006–2007, 2012–2013)
- Canadian Touring Car Championship (2012–2013)
- Champ Car World Series
- Formula One
- Canadian Grand Prix (1968, 1970)
- Grand-Am Cup (1998, 2002–2004)
- IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge Canada (2012, 2019)
- Rolex Sports Car Series
- 6 Hours of Mont-Tremblant (2002–2005)
- SCCA Continental Championship (1967, 1969–1970)
- Trans-Am Series
- Trois Heures du Circuit (1968–1971, 1977–1978)
- USAC Championship Car
- Saint-Jovite 200 (1967–1968)
- United States Road Racing Championship (1968)
Former series and major race winners
FIA Formula One World Championship
| Year | Race | Driver | Constructor | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Player's Canadian Grand Prix |  Denny Hulme |
McLaren-Ford | Report |
| 1970 |  Jacky Ickx |
Ferrari | Report |
Champ Car World Series
| Year | Race | Driver | Team | Chassis | Engine | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Mont-Tremblant Champ Car Grand Prix |  Robert Doornbos |
Minardi Team USA | Panoz DP01 | Cosworth | Report |
USAC Championship Car (IndyCar)
| 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 Series
| 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 Series
| 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) |
[1] |
| 1969 | Aug 3 | Les Trois Heures du Circuit | Mark Donohue |
Chevrolet Camaro | 3 Hours / 97 Laps 257 mi (414 km) |
[2] |
| 1970 | Aug 2 | Le Circuit Trans-Am | Mark Donohue |
AMC Javelin | 70 Laps 185.5 mi (298.5 km) |
[3] |
| 1970 | Aug 2 | Le Circuit Trans-Am | Mark Donohue |
AMC Javelin | 70 Laps 185.5 mi (298.5 km) |
[3] |
| 1971 | Aug 1 | Player's Quebec Trans-Am | Mark Donohue |
AMC Javelin | 70 Laps 185.5 mi (298.5 km) |
[4] |
| 1977 | Sept 11 | Molson Trans-Am | Peter Gregg |
Porsche 934 | 38 Laps 100.7 mi (162.1 km) |
[5] |
| 1978 | June 25 | Molson Trans-Am | Monte Shelton |
Porsche 935 | 38 Laps 100.7 mi (162.1 km) |
[6] |
SCCA United States Road Racing Championship
| 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 | [7] |
SCCA Formula 5000
| Year | Date | Race | Driver | Chassis | Engine | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Sept 17 | St Jovite Grand Prix | Fred Ashplant |
Brabham BT21 | Ford | [8] |
| 1969 | Sept 7 | Le Circuit Continental | David Hobbs |
Surtees TS5 | Chevrolet | [9] |
| 1970 | Aug 1 | Le Circuit Continental | George Follmer |
Lotus 70 | Ford | [10] |
Atlantic Championship
| Year | Date | Driver | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | July 6 | Elliott Forbes-Robinson |
[11] |
| 1976 | July 11 | Gilles Villeneuve |
[12] |
| 2007 | July 1 | Franck Perera |
[13] |
| 2008 | June 29 | Junior Strous |
[14] |
Grand American Road Racing Championship
| 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 | [15] |
| 2003 | Sept 21 | David Donohue Mike Borkowski Sascha Maassen |
#58 Brumos Racing |
Fabcar FDSC/03 | Porsche | [16] | |
| 2004 | May 23 | Scott Pruett Max Papis |
#01 CompUSA Chip Ganassi with Felix Sabates |
Riley MkXI | Lexus | [17] | |
| 2005 | May 21 |  Milka Duno Andy Wallace Jan Lammers |
#2 CITGO Howard-Boss Motorsports |
Crawford DP03 | Pontiac | [18] | |
Canadian Superbike Championship
| Year | Date | Driver | Motorcycle | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | August 17 | Tom Kipp |
Kawasaki ZX-7RR | [20] |
| 2004 | August 22 | Jordan Szoke |
Honda CBR1000RR | [21] |
| 2006 | June 4 | Jordan Szoke |
Kawasaki ZX-10RR | [22] |
| 2007 | June 3 | Jordan Szoke |
Kawasaki ZX-10RR | [23] |
| 2012 | August 12 | Jordan Szoke |
BMW S1000RR | [24] |
| 2013 | August 25 | Jordan Szoke |
BMW S1000RR | [25] |
Lap records
As of September 2019, the fastest 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
