Mosport Comes To Project Motor Racing

March 07, 2025

Canadian Tire Motorsport Park is a legendary 2.459-mile road course in Bowmanville, Ontario. Since 1961, it has been at the forefront of international motor racing, hosting F1, Can-Am, IMSA and every other class of racing you care to name. Known for its high-speed corners, elevation changes, and sphincter-clenching challenge, Mosport is a GT racing favourite that offers a unique blend of legacy, fear, and adrenaline.

A Legacy of Speed and GT Racing Excellence

Mosport—now officially branded as Canadian Tire Motorsport Park—is hallowed ground in the world of motor racing. Nestled in the rolling hills of Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada, this 2.459-mile (3.957 km) road course has been a cornerstone of North American racing since its inception in 1961. Designed by Alan Bunting and built with the help of local enthusiasts, Mosport was born out of a passion for motorsport (hence the name!) and a desire to create a world-class racing facility in what was a remote location (about 100kms from Toronto). Over the decades (and quite improbably), Mosport cemented its legacy by hosting everything from Formula 1 to Can-Am to top-class GT racing.

A Historical Powerhouse

Mosport’s history is rich with iconic moments and legendary drivers. The track quickly gained a reputation as one of the fastest and most challenging circuits in North America. While F1 moved on after just one race in ’67, Mosport continued to thrive as a hub for North American sports car and GT racing. The track became a staple of the ludicrously fast and dangerous Can-Am series in the ’60s and ’70s, attracting names like Stirling Moss (for whom the demanding Turn 5 is named), Bruce McLaren, Denny Hulme, George Follmer, and Mario Andretti (in whose honour the straightaway has been named)—legends who pushed their machines to the limit on Mosport’s merciless layout.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Mosport became a key venue for IMSA GT racing, hosting rounds of the legendary Camel GT Championship (Group C in American disguise!) and later the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) including that race in 1996. The track’s high-speed corners and elevation changes make it a favourite among GT drivers, who relish the challenge of threading their cars through its flowing layout.

A Modern Battleground

Today, Mosport remains a cornerstone of GT racing in North America, a regular stop on the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship calendar. The track’s natural terrain and high-speed nature make it a perfect fit for modern GT3 and GT4 machinery, which combine aerodynamic efficiency, advanced tyre technology, and thunderous engines to deliver breathtaking performance.

The track’s elevation changes and rolling turns demand precision and bravery, while its long straights and heavy braking zones reward both power and strategy. Teams must carefully balance speed and endurance, as the track’s relentless nature can punish even the slightest mistake. For drivers, Mosport is a track that separates the great from the good—and it’s also a venue where fear is best left back in the paddock. This track bites back hard.

The Essence of Mosport

What sets Mosport apart is its raw, unfiltered character. Unlike many modern circuits designed with safety and spectator experience in mind, Mosport has retained much of its old-school charm. The track’s natural terrain and lack of extensive runoff areas mean there’s precious little room here for error. Gravel traps and tyre barriers loom, as do walls, and they’re all ready to punish any lapse in concentration. This unforgiving nature is part of what makes Mosport so special and loved—it demands respect and rewards those who rise to the challenge. Not a place for the fainthearted—a mistake here is always almost gonna be the “big one”.

The atmosphere at Mosport is equally unique. The track’s rural setting and passionate fanbase create an intimate and electric environment. Spectators can get up close to the action, and for fans and drivers alike, Mosport is a true motor racing experience.

The track itself has, of course, evolved over the years, with improvements to safety and facilities ensuring it remains a world-class venue, holding a highly coveted FIA Grade 2 certification. However, the essence of Mosport—the challenge, the thrill, the history—remains unchanged. It is this combination of tradition and innovation that makes Mosport a true gem in the world of GT racing.

Best Turn

The Esses is a combination of corners that rewards skill and confidence, offering an adrenaline rush like no other. For drivers and fans alike, the Esses—and Turn 5 in particular—epitomize the thrill and challenge of Mosport, making it the track’s most celebrated corner.

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