Canadian Tire Motorsport Park

History and Development

The circuit was designed and built in the late 1950s, becoming Ontario's first purpose-built road racing venue after several airport circuits such as Edenvale, Port Albert's Green Acres, and Harewood Acres. Its inaugural major event was the Player's 200 sports car race on June 25, 1961, won by Stirling Moss in a Lotus 19, with Joakim Bonnier second and Olivier Gendebien third. Moss's suggestion led to the expansion of a proposed hairpin into two distinct corners, which were subsequently named Moss Corner in his honour, a feature that sometimes leads to the track being colloquially called Mossport. The track's original 3.957-kilometre layout has remained largely unchanged throughout its history, preserving its classic character, a rarity among historic motorsport venues.

In 2001, the entire circuit was repaved to meet FIA specifications, widening it to 13 metres while consulting drivers to maintain the original racing lines and the character of the old track. Mosport achieved international prominence by hosting the Canadian Grand Prix for Formula One from 1961 to 1967, 1969, 1971 to 1974, and 1976 to 1977, before the event moved to Montreal. The track was also a foundational venue for the Can-Am series, hosting races in every season except 1968 from the series' 1966 inception, and its success with international sports car races under the Canadian Grand Prix title was a key component in the founding of the Can-Am Series. The facility's success with these events helped break Canadian sports attendance records with each successive race, drawing drivers from around the world to rural Ontario.

In Canada's centennial year of 1967, Mosport hosted Formula One, a USAC IndyCar race known as the Molson Diamond Indy, and a 500cc Motorcycle Grand Prix, demonstrating its versatility across different racing disciplines. Ownership of the track has changed several times, with Panoz Motorsports purchasing it in 1998 and the newly formed American Le Mans Series visiting in 1999. Canadian Motorsports Ventures Ltd., a group including Orlando Corp. Chairman Carlo Fidani and driver Ron Fellows, acquired the facility in June 2011. A significant partnership with Canadian Tire was announced in February 2012, leading to the venue's renaming to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.

The track has witnessed several tragic fatalities over the decades, including German Formula One driver Manfred Winkelhock in 1985 when his Porsche 962C crashed into a concrete wall during a World Sportscar Championship event. Another fatality occurred in 2008 during the 29th annual Vintage Automobile Racing Association of Canada Racing Festival when driver Dino Crescentini lost control of a 1977 Wolf Dallara Can-Am car. The most recent fatality was in 2018 when 61 year old former Pro Mazda driver Jeff Green speared off the racetrack at turn 8 and slammed into the barrier. Prior owners Norm Namerow and Harvey Hudes have both been inducted into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame for their contributions to the sport in Canada.

Track Facilities and Layout

The centrepiece of the park is the classic 3.957-kilometre, 10-turn road course known for its challenging, flowing layout and significant elevation changes. This Grand Prix circuit has hosted the highest levels of motorsport and remains the venue for its premier annual events, having seen minimal alterations from its original 1961 design. In the spring of 2000, Mosport opened the Driver Development Centre, initially a 1.700-kilometre, 12-turn training circuit designed by the owners and instructors of the Bridgestone Racing Academy specifically with fewer guard rails and minimum blind corners for driver and mechanic training. Due to significant scheduling demands on the main circuit, this facility was reconstructed and lengthened in the fall of 2013 into a more versatile training and testing venue to meet growing needs.

The expanded Driver Development Centre now offers two primary configurations: a 2.200-kilometre intermediate course and a 2.900-kilometre advanced course. The complex also includes a 0.402-kilometre skid pad, a pit lane, and a multi-storey event centre with classrooms and other facilities. This facility was built to accommodate corporate programs, racing schools, and mechanic training, serving as the home for the Bridgestone Racing Academy from 2000 until 2019. A separate 1.500-kilometre karting track, the Mosport Karting Centre, operates on the grounds for kart racing and development, previously known as Mosport Kartways.

From 1989 until 2013, the park also featured Mosport Speedway, a 0.805-kilometre paved oval located on the northwest corner of the property with 240-metre straightaways and 6-degree banked corners and two grandstands with seating for 8,500. The oval was constructed in 1989 as a dirt track originally called Mosport's Ascot North, named after the famous Ascot Park track in Gardena, California, but its first event with USAC Midgets, Sprint Cars, and the World of Outlaws was cancelled after heat races caused deep ruts and dislodged stones. It was paved that summer and renamed Mosport International Speedway, hosting weekly Saturday night stock car racing from May to September for 24 years, featuring divisions from pure stock to late models and touring series like the ACT Series, ISMA Supermodifieds, OSCAAR, Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup, CASCAR Super Series and the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. It was closed in July 2013 to allow for the expansion of the Driver Development Centre, marking the end of an era for oval racing at the complex.

Major Racing Series and Events

Canadian Tire Motorsport Park has hosted an exceptionally diverse array of racing series throughout its six-decade history, including Formula One, USAC, World Sportscar Championship, Can-Am, Formula 5000, and many other sports car, open-wheel, and motorcycle series. Its calendar is anchored by several major annual events that draw national attention and large crowds. The facility's premier event is the IMSA SportsCar Championship race, known as the Chevrolet Grand Prix, which was established in 2014 after the track was chosen in September 2013 to host a round of the newly formed series. This event, Canada's largest annual sports car race, succeeded the American Le Mans Series race that had run at the track from 1999 to 2013 under the title Mobil 1 SportsCar Grand Prix.

The NASCAR Canada Series has visited the facility at least twice each season since its inaugural year in 2007, with races including the CarGurus 200 during the Victoria Day SpeedFest weekend and the WeatherTech 200 in September, previously known as the Clarington 200 from 2007 to 2013. The track also hosts rounds of the Canadian Superbike Championship in August and the Trans-Am Series in September, along with the VARAC Vintage Grand Prix in June. Other current events include Radical Cup Canada, USF Juniors, the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, and the Mazda MX-5 Cup. Future events announced include the return of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for the Chevrolet Silverado 250 in 2027, a series that previously ran at the track from 2013 to 2019, and the Ferrari Challenge North America in 2027, which previously visited in 1994, 1995, 2013, 2015, and 2017.

The track has hosted a wide variety of series throughout its history. The circuit has held Formula One, USAC, World Sportscar Championship, Can-Am, Formula 5000, and many other sports car, open-wheel, and motorcycle series. It also hosted the Can-Am series in its inaugural season in 1966 and in most subsequent years. The track achieved acclaim through a series of international sports car races under the title 'Canadian Grand Prix'. The success of these races led Mosport to be seen as a key component in the founding of the Can Am Series.

• Formula One: Canadian Grand Prix (1961 to 1967, 1969, 1971 to 1974, 1976 to 1977)
• Can-Am: Mosport Can-Am (1966 to 1967, 1969 to 1974, 1977 to 1986)
• USAC IndyCar: Molson Diamond Indy (1967 to 1968, 1977 to 1978)
• Grand Prix motorcycle racing: Canadian motorcycle Grand Prix (1967)
• Superbike World Championship (1989 to 1991)
• World Sportscar Championship (1976 to 1977, 1980 to 1981, 1984 to 1985)
• CASCAR Super Series (1991 to 1992, 1996, 1998 to 2006)
• Pro Mazda Championship (2000 to 2011, 2013)
• ASA National Tour (1992)
• Atlantic Championship (1974 to 1977, 1979, 1981 to 1983, 1987 to 1989, 1992 to 1994, 2009)

The track also hosts vintage racing series, motorcycle racing, and Canadian Automobile Sport Club (CASC) amateur events and lapping days. The facility holds events throughout the year, including the VARAC Vintage Grand Prix in June. It also hosts the Canadian Superbike Championship in August. These activities ensure the park remains a vital hub for Canadian motorsport.

Lap Records and Performance

The challenging nature of the Grand Prix circuit has led to remarkable lap times set by various racing machines over the decades. The unofficial fastest lap ever recorded was set by Rinaldo Capello during qualifying for the 2008 Grand Prix of Mosport, driving an Audi R10 TDI to a time of 1:04.094. The official race lap record for that meeting was set by Capello's Audi Sport North America teammate, Marco Werner, who posted a time of 1:05.823 during the race itself. As of July 2026, the fastest official race lap records for different classes highlight the performance of modern sports prototypes and purpose-built race cars on this fast and flowing circuit.

The track has official lap records for different classes of vehicles. The unofficial fastest ever recorded lap was taken by Rinaldo Capello in an Audi R10 TDI in 2008. Unlike many historic motorsport venues, Mosport's track layout has remained mostly unchanged from its original form. The track was designed and built in the late 1950s, and the first race was held in 1961.

Lap records are set during major race weekends. The IMSA SportsCar Championship holds an annual race at the track. The track's layout includes a corner named Moss Corner after Stirling Moss. The circuit has held races for series including the SCCA Formula 5000 Championship, the Atlantic Championship, and the IMSA GT Championship.

Music Festivals and Cultural Events

Mosport has also been the venue of a number of concerts and music festivals. The first major festival was the Strawberry Fields Festival, held from August 7 to 9, 1970. Other events included Canada Jam in 1978 and the Heatwave Festival in 1980. More recently, the Boots and Hearts Music Festival was held there in 2012, 2013, and 2014. The Heatwave Festival followed on August 23, 1980, focusing on new wave and punk acts during a period of musical transition. In the 1990s, the park hosted Edenfest from July 12 to 14, 1996, a camping festival that featured a diverse lineup of alternative and rock music. More recently, the Boots and Hearts Music Festival, a major country music event, was held at the venue for three consecutive years from 2012 to 2014 before moving to a different location, using the grounds from August 10-12, 2012, August 2-4, 2013, and July 31 to August 3, 2014.

Ownership and Economic Role

The ownership history of the facility reflects its evolution from a community-built project to a professionally managed motorsport complex. The original track was built by a public company formed for that purpose, known as the Mosport enterprise. Subsequent owners who contributed significantly to the track's development include Norm Namerow, who owned it through his publishing company CanTrack until his death, and Harvey Hudes. Both men have been inducted into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame for their contributions to Canadian racing, recognizing their roles in sustaining the venue through various periods.

The purchase by Panoz Motorsports in 1998 brought new investment and coincided with the arrival of the American Le Mans Series in 1999, marking a new chapter for professional sports car racing at the track. The acquisition by Canadian Motorsports Ventures Ltd. in 2011, a group led by Carlo Fidani and Ron Fellows, stabilized the track's future and brought together business and racing expertise. The 2012 partnership with Canadian Tire, a major Canadian retail brand, provided significant sponsorship and naming rights, rebranding the venue as Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. This partnership has helped fund facility improvements and marketing, ensuring the park's continued operation and relevance.

The track serves as a significant economic driver for the Municipality of Clarington and the Durham Region, attracting visitors, racing teams, and media throughout the racing season from May to September. Its events, from the NASCAR Canada Series to the IMSA weekend, bring tourism spending to local businesses including hotels, restaurants, and service providers. The facility also provides a venue for corporate events and driving experiences through its Driver Development Centre, diversifying its revenue streams. The sustained operation of the park preserves a historic motorsport site while contributing to the regional economy and maintaining Canada's presence on the international racing calendar.

Racing Schools and Driver Development

In the spring of 2000, Mosport opened the Driver Development Centre. Prior to the Driver Development Centre, Mosport was home to the Bridgestone Racing Academy from 2000 to 2019. The academy conducted corporate programs, racing schools, and a Mechanics Training Program. The academy was originally established at Shannonville Motorsport Park when owners Charlie and Brett Goodman acquired the cars and equipment of the former Spenard-David Racing School.

The new course was designed by the owners and instructors of the Bridgestone Racing Academy. It was designed specifically with fewer guard rails, walls and minimum blind corners to meet the needs of their driver and mechanic training program. Due to significant scheduling demands on the original Grand Prix circuit, the original academy course was reconstructed and lengthened in the fall of 2013. The new track features two configuration options.

The new track features two configuration options: a 2.200 km intermediate course and a 2.900 km advanced course. It also includes a skid pad and a multi-storey event centre with classrooms and other facilities. The Driver Development Centre is a training circuit designed for driver development. It provides a facility for training new drivers and mechanics.

Questions about Canadian Tire Motorsport Park

What was the original name of the track and why was it changed?

The track was originally named Mosport Park, a portmanteau of the words 'Motor Sport' from the enterprise formed to build it. It was also known as Mosport International Raceway. The name was changed to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in February 2012 following the announcement of a major partnership with the Canadian Tire retail corporation. This sponsorship agreement included naming rights as part of a broader deal to support the facility's operations and events, providing financial stability and national brand recognition.

What are the major annual racing events held at the track?

The track hosts several major annual events. The premier event is the IMSA SportsCar Championship race, the Chevrolet Grand Prix, held in July. The NASCAR Canada Series visits at least twice, with the CarGurus 200 in May and the WeatherTech 200 in September. Other key events include the Canadian Superbike Championship in August, the Trans-Am Series in September, and the VARAC Vintage Grand Prix in June. The schedule also includes the Radical Cup Canada, USF Juniors, and the Sports Car Championship Canada, forming a busy seasonal calendar.

Where is Canadian Tire Motorsport Park located?

Canadian Tire Motorsport Park is located north of Orono in Clarington, Ontario, Canada, which is approximately 75 km (47 mi) east of Toronto. The facility is a multi track motorsport venue situated in rural Ontario. It was originally known as Mosport Park and Mosport International Raceway before its renaming. The name Mosport is a portmanteau of Motor Sport, derived from the enterprise formed to build the track. This location has been a central hub for Canadian motorsport since its opening.

Has Canadian Tire Motorsport Park ever hosted a Formula One race?

Yes, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, then known as Mosport, hosted the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix. F1's Grand Prix of Canada remained at the track from 1961 until 1977, after which it was moved to Montreal. The circuit held its first major race, the Player's 200 sports car race, in June 1961. Mosport achieved acclaim through a series of international sports car races under the title Canadian Grand Prix. The track's layout has remained mostly unchanged from its original form, maintaining its historic character.

Is there a place for driver training at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park?

Yes, the facility features a Driver Development Centre for driver training. This centre includes a 2.900 km advance driver and race driver training facility with a 0.402 km skid pad. It opened in the spring of 2000 as a second training circuit designed for driver development. The track was reconstructed and lengthened in the fall of 2013 due to scheduling demands on the main circuit. It offers two configuration options, an intermediate course and an advanced course, along with a multi storey event centre.

Did the park ever have an oval track?

Yes, Mosport Speedway was a 0.805 km oval speedway located on the northwest corner of Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. It was constructed in 1989 as a dirt track originally called Mosport's Ascot North. The track was paved that summer and renamed Mosport International Speedway. It hosted a weekly Saturday night stock car racing program from May to September for 24 years. The park announced the closing of the oval in July 2013 to accommodate the expansion of the Driver Development Centre.

Sources and further reading

• Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (Wikipedia)
• About us, Canadian Tire Motorsport, Official Site (canadiantiremotorsportpark.com)
• Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, INVIRO (inviro.ca)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-20.