RETURN OF THE
VETTE
The Corvette C8.R makes racing debut in Canada The Home Race: Mark Wilkins & Robert Wickens aim for victory at CTMP
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park & The Mosport Legacy: 61 years of memories
Hometown Heroes: Pfaff Motorsports hungry to capture IMSA win at CTMP
CTMP MAGAZINE & PROGRAM | $10
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How a set of tires moved a nation.
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In 1922, brothers A.J. and J.W. Billes had big
while being part of something greater than
plans when they bought a little company they
themselves; the inception of the Canadian Tire
called Hamilton Tire and Garage. Innovators
Dealer model in 1934 would eventually propel
and entrepreneurs at their core, the brothers
Canadian Tire to serve customers in more than
believed in striving always to make things
500 stores across the country. The brothers’
better — for their customers, their employees,
vision of making life better transcended
their communities, and the nation. They may
beyond the walls of their stores and into their
have started with tires, but they hustled to
local communities. In 2005, their fundamental
expand their product assortment beyond
spirit of giving was ignited by A.J.’s daughter,
automotive parts. First, it was radios. Then
Martha Billes, when she founded Canadian
came bicycles and skates, camping and fishing
Tire Jumpstart Charities. Martha had a bold,
equipment — everything Canadians needed
determined vision: a Canada where all kids
to enjoy the great outdoors. Soon after, an
have a chance to fulfill their dreams, where no
entire generation of kids found themselves
child is left out. This dream has since become
enamoured with the toy aisle. And the
a reality for countless children across Canada
brothers didn’t stop there. Through creative
and Jumpstart is on track to surpass three
solutions to complex problems, they found
million kids helped this year. The Billes brothers
ways to provide better customer service,
set out to achieve something great not only
from introducing the first-ever tire warranty
for themselves but for our entire nation and
program
oldest
its residents. On our one-hundredth birthday,
loyalty program: Canadian Tire Money. The
we thank the Billes family for their commitment
brothers fundamentally changed Canada’s
to a conviction that has left a legacy. And
retail landscape by creating space for other
we thank you, Canada, for joining us on this
entrepreneurs to grow their own business
remarkable journey.
to
developing
Canada’s
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CONTENTS WELCOME LETTERS
4........... IMSA 6........... Canadian Tire Motorsport Park 8........... Chevrolet Canada
FEATURE STORIES
12............ Return of the Vette: Corvette C8.R Makes Racing Debut in Canada
20.......... CTMP & The Mosport Legacy: 61 Years of Memories 30.......... Hometown Heroes: Pfaff Motorsports Hungry for IMSA Win at CTMP
38.......... The Home Race: Mark Wilkins & Robert Wickens Aim for Victory at CTMP
46.......... That’s a Wrap … Or Is It? 48.......... Cross Pollination: Technology Transfers Both Ways in IMSA Racing
52.......... I Wanna Go Fast! From Olympic Snowboarder to IMSA Racer
56.......... Memo-Rable Journey Reaches Memo-Rable Moment
60......... Masters Historic Racing: Raising the Profile of Historic Formula One
SERIES INFORMATION
62.......... 2022 IMSA Season Points Standings
EVENT INFORMATION & EXTRAS
68......... What’s on: Everything to See and Do at CTMP This Weekend!
11............. Then & Now: From Mosport to CTMP 72........... Track Map 74........... Event Schedule
Flags and their Significance GREEN
Indicates the start of the race or restart after the caution period.
YELLOW
Indicates unsafe conditions on the track and requires driver to slow down.
RED
Indicates a complete stoppage of the race due to unsafe conditions
BLUE
Indicates that a transfer car is in a position to overtake the car being signaled and the driver should prepare to be overtaken.
BLACK
Indicates that the signaled car must go to spit area immediately for consultation.
YELLOW & RED STRIPE
Indicates unsafe conditions on the track due to oil or debris and warns the driver of specific location.
WHITE AND RED STRIPE
Warning emergency service vehicle on the track.
WHITE
Indicates to the driver that it is the last lap of the race.
CHECKERED
Indicates to the drivers that the race has been completed.
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GREETINGS IMSA RACE FANS, O
n behalf of the France family and the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), it is our honor to welcome you back to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park for the Chevrolet Grand Prix, the first IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race weekend at this beautiful and historic venue since 2019. We’ve sorely missed the passionate and loyal Canadian race fans these past few seasons and are thrilled to be back. We expect to make up for lost time with a full weekend of the best sports car racing on the continent or anywhere else in the world. Sunday’s two-hour and 40-minute headliner will feature four WeatherTech Championship classes representing a host of world-class manufacturers. Sleek Daytona Prototype international (DPi) machines will be battling for the overall win for the final time at CTMP prior to next year’s highly anticipated debut of the new GTP class featuring state-of-the-art new prototypes, while a robust field of hungry racers in LMP3 will offer up even more prototype action. For fans of GT racing – and there are many – we’re bringing the new, factory-backed GTD PRO teams and drivers to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park for the first time alongside the Pro-Am GTD class, which features a wide variety of exotic sports cars from many world-class manufacturers. You won’t want to miss Saturday’s headliner either, the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, featuring production-based race cars in a two-hour, high-speed traffic jam. And there’s even more racing where that came from, with a one-hour, 30-minute IMSA Prototype Challenge battle. We are proud to showcase a motorsports experience unlike any other where fans can get up close and personal with the drivers, teams and cars. Our paddock is open to all ticketholders, as are the prerace Fan Walks on the starting grid prior to both the Michelin Pilot Challenge and WeatherTech Championship races. Another experience you won’t want to miss is the all-driver autograph session in the WeatherTech Championship paddock Sunday morning! Make sure to obtain one of our Fan Guides which are available throughout the facility. They contain illustrations of each race car in the field to help you determine who’s who on the racetrack. You’ll also notice digital displays on all WeatherTech Championship and Michelin Pilot Challenge race cars. These inform you where each is running in its class throughout a race. Be sure to download the IMSA app for live Timing & Scoring, onboard cameras and up-to-the-minute news and information. And whenever you can’t be with us at the racetrack, be sure to catch all of the action on REV TV and IMSA.com! Thank you again for joining us this weekend! Best Regards,
Ed Bennett CEO
John Doonan President
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WELCOME!
CHEVROLET GRAND PRIX 2022 O
n behalf of Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, I am pleased to welcome you all to the 2022 Chevrolet Grand Prix. We are so grateful and excited to have IMSA back on the calendar after a multi-year hiatus due to COVID-19. Sunday’s main event will feature the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, which will of course be the Canadian racing debut for the Corvette C8.R. I know all our loyal Corvette fans, as well as everyone at Chevrolet Canada, cannot wait to cheer on the team this weekend. Along with the WeatherTech series the weekend will showcase a multitude of racing, with the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge being the Saturday feature. Be sure to cheer on your favourite Canadian drivers this weekend, and perhaps the most popular will be the duo of Robert Wickens and Mark Wilkins who will pilot the number 33 Hyundai Elantra N TCR. The IMSA Prototype Challenge will also race this weekend, featuring LMP3 machines, and will compete in a 90 minute event on Sunday before the WeatherTech race. Joining the schedule as well this year will be the Masters Racing Legends USA featuring historic Formula One and Formula Atlantic cars; these iconic cars will be an amazing compliment to an already stellar lineup this weekend. We would like to thank IMSA for their continued support, and their efforts to return this event to their schedule. We’re so glad to have our friends from south of the border back at this legendary road course. I would also like to express my thanks to our dedicated teams of staff and volunteers who continued to support us and work tirelessly during the pandemic so that we could get to this point. Lastly, I would like to extend my most sincere thanks and appreciation to our great partners and sponsors who continue to support our circuit in order to make weekends like this possible. In particular I would like to thank Chevrolet Canada, Canadian Tire and Michelin. Please have a safe and fun weekend, and of course a Happy Canada Day. We’re so glad to have you all back in person for another great racing event. We hope you have a fantastic time and that you come back to join us again this summer for the Superbike DoubleHeader and the CTMP Labour Day Sprints Weekend.
Myles Brandt
President and General Manger, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
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WELCOME!
CHEVROLET GRAND PRIX 2022 O
n behalf of Chevrolet Canada, we would like to welcome you to the 2022 Chevrolet Grand Prix at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. Chevrolet and the Corvette brand have a long history with Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, and it’s an honour to be the title sponsor for this fantastic weekend as it marks the return of IMSA racing in Canada after a multi-year hiatus due to the pandemic. The Chevrolet Grand Prix is the only Canadian stop for the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship, and will feature the Canadian racing debut for the Corvette C8.R. After two years with the new mid-engine car, Corvette Racing and the C8.R have demonstrated the incredible innovations in engineering that have gone into both the race car and the production Corvette C8. Everything learned “from the track” is what we then “bring to the road” for our customers. Canadian race fans of course have a deep appreciation for our race program, and we can’t wait to cheer on the Corvette Racing team this weekend. Also be sure to check out the Chevrolet Performance HQ in the CTMP Marketplace where we will test your speed on and off the course to see if you have what it takes to be the ultimate racer. Our interactive display will also give you the chance to see the latest Chevrolet vehicles. We wish you a fun and safe weekend at the Chevrolet Grand Prix, and of course, best of luck to all the race participants! Sincerely,
Michael MacPhee Brand Director Chevrolet Canada
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STAFF LISTING Myles Brandt
Aleisha MacDonald
Jen Koncovy
Dave Alldread, Jamie Henderson, Dennis Ferguson
President & General Manager Office Manager & Executive Assistant
canadiantiremotorsportpark.com
Track Maintenance
Glenn Butt
Robb Dobbie
Ashley Johnstone
Bill Liang
Sam Fellows
Kevin Tripp
Sam Fellows, Jerry Priddle, Ivan Novotny, John Walker, Patrick Fellows
Andrea Pegg
Operations Manager
Canada’s Legendary Home of Motorsports
Catering & Concession Supervisor
Account Executive Marketing
Communications, PR & Media
John Walker Photographer
Grace Foster
Reception/Administrative Assistant
Melanie Brandt
Merchandise Manager
Clerk of the Course Medical Director Safety One Security
Martin da Silva Auxilary Services
Brian Dawe
Chief Course Marshall
Jacqueline Davis Registration
Pat Gonsalves Annoucer
SALES + ADMINISTRATION 115 - 42 Industrial St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4G 1Y9 EXECUTIVE
Tim Rutledge
Group Publisher & CEO EDITORIAL
Anna Rutledge
Special Projects Editor
Adam Gordon
Associate Editor
George Webster Motorsport Editor
DESIGN + PRODUCTION
Queue Gonzalez Creative Director
Patrick Dinglasan
Production / Senior Art Director
Edward Shintani Senior Art Director
Patrick Beltijar
Senior Art Director
Julia Neukom Intern
Randi Bentia
Audience Development Manager
Richard Robles
Director, Client Services
Jason Redmond
Motorsport Marketing Manager IMAGE AND STORY CREDIT
CTMP Media ADVERTISING
sales@ppmghq.com Phone: (416) 922-7526 Toll Free: 1-800-667-7223 www.ppmghq.com
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THEN 1967
NOW AND
2018
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RETURN OF THE VETTE CORVETTE RACING RETURNS TO CANADIAN TIRE MOTORSPORT PARK WITH THE NEW C8.R AFTER IMSA’S MULTI-YEAR HIATUS FROM THE CIRCUIT
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STORY BY SAM FELLOWS PHOTOGRAPHY BY RICHARD PRINCE, SHAUN LUMLEY
In the early days of what’s now the legendary Corvette Racing program, the team’s Canadian driver Ron Fellows guaranteed them a win at what was then called Mosport.
I
n 2000 the Corvette Racing team, operated by Pratt & Miller, began its second season of racing in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). The team had competed in a partial season in 1999, and had planned to do the same that year as the program got on its feet. The team’s schedule for that year hadn’t actually included racing at Mosport. With yet to reach victory lane for the first time, Fellows told Joe Negri - one of the directors of GM Racing at the time - that the team needed to do the Mosport race, and Fellows went so far as to “guarantee” his boss that they would get their first win. And Fellows’ bold wager nearly paid off after the driver captured the pole and set the fastest race lap. When Fellows handed the car over to co-driver Andy Pilgrim the Team Oreca Dodge Viper snuck by and into the lead. Though Andy chased hard in tricky conditions, the Viper stayed in front and stole the win.
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“Joe Negri called me after the race and joked ‘hey, where’s my win?’” said Fellows. “But the conversation was really positive of course because we were so competitive … we were on the cusp of that first ever win.”
The team would of course capture their first victory in the following event at Texas Motor Speedway. But ever since that important podium back in 2000, Corvette Racing has treated Canadian Tire Motorsport Park like it’s “second home.” The team has captured a total of 11 wins over the years, and has a special connection to the fans and the facility. “I think the Corvette name resonates with race-fans everywhere, but in Canada there’s been numerous connections with Corvette and CTMP over the decades,” Fellows, still today an ambassador for the Corvette brand, said. Of course, Canadian Eppie Wietzes won the Trans-Am Championship driving a Corvette in 1982, and team-owner John Powell operated a racing team with C4 Corvettes in the late 1980’s as well. Adding to that history was Fellows himself, as the home-town boy who won numerous races at the track and multiple ALMS championships as well with co-driver Johnny O’Connell. Now, after a multi-year hiatus due to the pandemic, IMSA returns north of the American border and
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RETURN OF THE VETTE
“The team has captured a total of 11 wins over the years, and has a special connection to the fans and the facility.” Corvette Racing will debut its latest and greatest creation; the mid-engine C8.R. “Going to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park is something we’ve missed,” said the driver of the No. 3 Corvette, Jordan Taylor. “Canada always has an amazing group of fans who are so passionate … they haven’t seen our new car, and we’re excited to show it off there.” According to Taylor, the biggest positive about the C8.R - now two
seasons into competition - is that it “suits every type of racetrack.” The mid-engine layout of the vehicle allows for a significant increase in balance from its front-engine predecessor. Theoretically, increased rear grip should allow the driver to get on throttle and accelerate up the straightaway more easily. Fellows, who has been able to compare the production cars, added that “it’s not only a step forward regarding the overall
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RETURN OF THE VETTE
“This occasion was the first opportunity for the team drivers to really push a production C8 Stingray to the limit.”
balance of the car … just the body shape itself for a mid-engine layout seems to make the car aerodynamically superior.” Last year the Corvette Racing drivers got to visit the Ron Fellows Performance Driving School at Spring Mountain Motor Resort and Country Club, located just west of Las Vegas. The school has the honour of being the “official driving school of Corvette.” This occasion was the first opportunity for the team drivers to really push a production C8 Stingray to the limit.
“It’s the best street car that I’ve ever felt on the racetrack,” Taylor said. “It feels very similar to our C8.R and for us as drivers you want a lot of confidence in the car that you drive, and predictability. You have that with the Stingray.” Now heading to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park for the first time with the C8.R, the Corvette team also finds themselves adapting to new competition. The GTLM class, which the car had been built to compete in, has now been amalgamated into the greater GTD category for GT3 spec racing cars. Specifically, Corvette Racing competes in GTD Pro - which is a grouping of those same GT3 cars featuring only highly FIA ranked professional drivers (GTD Am allows teams to field drivers of lower FIA licence ranking). Converting the car from GTLM to GTD included detuning of engine power, lessening of aerodynamics, added weight, and a spec Michelin
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2022 SCHEDULE INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY JANUARY 27-30 1 DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY MARCH 16-19 2 SEBRING BEACH STREET CIRCUIT APRIL 8-9 3 LONG RACEWAY LAGUNA SECA APRIL 29 - MAY 1 4 WEATHERTECH SPORTS CAR COURSE MAY 13-15 5 MID-OHIO RACEWAY AT BELLE ISLE PARK JUNE 3-4 6 THE
GLEN INTERNATIONAL JUNE 23-26 7 WATKINS TIRE MOTORSPORT PARK JULY 1-3 8 CANADIAN ROCK PARK JULY 15-16 9 LIME AMERICA AUGUST 4-7 10 ROAD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY AUGUST 26-28 11 VIRGINIA RACEWAY ROAD ATLANTA SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 1 12 MICHELIN
LEARN MORE AT IMSA.COM
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RETURN OF THE VETTE
tire compound - in GTLM teams could play and strategize with multiple compounds. For Antonio Garcia, the second driver of the No. 3 car, it’s a bittersweet debut for the machine. “I would have loved to go to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and raced the C8.R in full GTLM spec … that would have been really good to feel and see how the C8.R was around that track. We knew the C7.R was so good, and I believe this car would have been even better. This is a track I’ve always loved … it’s always tight racing, and traffic is intense.” As Garcia alluded, the Corvette has always brought a competitive package to CTMP. So regardless of the category, the C8.R is as beautiful looking - and sounding - a racing car as ever, and should be one of the favourites to win on Canada’s legendary Grand Prix circuit, which Taylor says is “very rewarding when you can string together a good lap, but at the same time it’s a little extra stressful.” “It’s just so on edge,” Taylor elaborated. “At every corner you feel like you’re on the limit, and there’s not much room for error. It’s a very old-school track too where you have to be on the limit, and any mistake can bring a big consequence.” Garcia echoed his teammate, saying “strategy is so important with such a short lap time because it’s very fast … you need to be on top of things, play it smart and be ready to react to everything around you. It can go either way, but CTMP always brings a
really good show and good racing. We’re looking forward to getting back there.” Since that first exciting podium in Canada, way back in 2000, this has been an event that Corvette fans everywhere have circled on their calendar; this year perhaps more than ever with the new C8.R finally coming to Canada. “I know we bring an amazing amount of Corvette fans there,” said Taylor.” They’ll definitely love seeing it.”
“At every corner you feel like you’re on the limit, and there’s not much room for error.”
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IMSA THANKS OUR 2022 PARTNERS
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PHOTO BY PAUL H. GULDE
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CTMP & THE MOSPORT 61 YEARS OF LEGACY: MEMORIES SAM FELLOWS EXAMINES WHAT HE LEARNED ON HIS JOURNEY THROUGH THE HISTORY OF CANADIAN TIRE MOTORSPORT PARK STORY BY SAM FELLOWS
During the height of the pandemic we were struggling to come up with ways in which we could celebrate the 60th anniversary of Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. People were not allowed to gather, so any large and in-person event was out of the question. The idea we came up with was simple, just collect stories. We wanted to interview some of the important figures who have been here since the beginning, people from the Canadian racing community who had unique insights into the history of this place. I wrote a list of names down on a piece of paper. The plan was for my dad and I to host long-form interviews via Zoom, just basically shooting the breeze about the glory days of “Mosport.” We realized that we might as well record all the conversations and do something with the footage. Almost by accident, the CTMP60 Podcast, was born. To date, we’ve done eight episodes, all of which around one to two hours in length. So what did we learn? In short, a whole lot.
O
ne of the first questions that popped into my mind was, what was the first actual race to be organized at the track? This seems to be a bit of a bone of contention for some. Bill Brack, who’s name was on the list but unfortunately have not yet had on the podcast, told a story a few years ago at the VARAC weekend where he claimed to be the first driver to ever drive a lap of the circuit with a Mini Cooper - not long after the track had been paved in spring of 1961. But what about an official race? There’s even a story I’ve heard through the grapevine about the first event being a privately held motorcycle race. The “official” history books say that the first race held at Mosport Park was a club event
organized by the Oakville Trafalgar Light Car Club on June 3, 1961. Of course later that month, the first Player’s 200 for sports cars was held with a crowd of around 40,000. Sir Stirling Moss won that race in a Lotus 19 powered by 2.5 litre Coventry Climax engine.
“The “official” history books say that the first race held at Mosport Park was a club event organized by the Oakville Trafalgar Light Car Club on June 3, 1961. ”
PHOTO BY IVAN NOVOTNY
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PHOTO BY KE
LLY COOK SR
.
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CTMP & THE MOSPORT LEGACY: 61 YEARS OF MEMORIES
“The “official” history books say that the first race held at Mosport Park was a club event organized by the Oakville Trafalgar Light Car Club on June 3, 1961. ” And then there’s Paul Cooke who, to quote Allan de la Plante, “we all know and love.” Paul has been an important figure in the history books of Canadian racing as a driver, a team manager for the legendary Comstock Racing outfit, and later a ranking member for the governing body of the sport in Canada. But Paul’s episode of the podcast went to a place I never expected. He had a story I’d never heard before, which told of a special rally stage that had been held at Mosport before the track was even paved. “Something that is terribly important to me,” Paul began, “is setting the record straight about the first event ever held at Mosport.” On the morning of Sunday April 30, 1961, cars left from Montréal on a cross-Canada race known as the “British Columbia International Trade Fair Car Rally.” Part of the
first day of the rally included a special stage at “Mosport.” What’s more is that this event was sanctioned and listed by the FIA, the world governing body for motor racing. Paul himself competed in the rally as a co-driver to Ken Chambers in one of several Ford Zephyrs, which had been entered by the Ford Motor Company of Canada no less. He remembers the special stage at “Mosport” and that spectators were indeed in attendance; as cars plummeted down the unpaved Turns One and Two and into what is now the infield, where the stage ended. Fascinating stuff. As a student of racing history, there are a number of names that pop out when the conversation of “greatest driver of all time” comes up. For many, including myself, Juan Manuel Fangio is one of the top contenders in that discussion. I had, years ago, seen newsreel footage of the 1962 Player’s 200 race at Mosport. There’s a short clip showing Fangio hanging out in the pits. I had always wondered, did he ever get in a car and drive a lap? Well I was astonished when the legendary Norris McDonald brought this up - and unprompted - on our first ever episode of the show. “That was the one and only time [Fangio] was in Canada, and he was at Mosport,” Norris told us. “The race organizers got together a handful of Mini Cooopers ... “ apparently it was a celebrity race of sorts. Fangio took part in the event in the No. 6 “British racing green” Mini. Innes Ireland competed too, but Pedro Rodriguez ended up winning the race.
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CTMP & THE MOSPORT LEGACY: 61 YEARS OF MEMORIES
PHOTO BY MOTORSPORT IMAGES
My dad has long posited that if you can win at CTMP, you can win anywhere. When Emerson Fittipaldi joined us for a chat in 2019 which eventually we posted as the CTMP60 Anniversary Special in September of 2021 - he confirmed as much. “Emmo” remembered his days racing Formula 1 cars at old Mosport. “It was one of the toughest races of the season, maybe the toughest,” he said. The style of the circuit, with its long and fast corners forces the driver to focus on momentum, regardless of the power output of the machine. You have to be brave and you have to be precise in order to be fast. Access to fast and difficult circuits like Mosport - and Tremblant for that matter - surely added to the development of young Canadian racers, but so did the high level of competition - especially in the 1980’s. Richard Spénard, as my dad said in episode three,
“was the benchmark for everybody to learn from.” Ron continued, “one of the most naturally gifted drivers I’ve ever raced against, and I’ve raced against a lot.” For most of the 1980’s Spénard was the driver to beat in at least three racing series; the Player’s GM Challenge, Rothman’s Porsche Cup, and Export A 2000 Series. Having a driver with that level of talent and experience made the development of drivers like my dad, Scott Goodyear, Paul Tracy, Kenny Wilden, and many more, that much better at the end of the day. I would be willing to bet that there is no one with more race wins at CTMP through the years than Richard Spénard. “Mosport was my teaching tool … it made me a better driver,” Spénard said. “It was my type of race track … fast … and not too many corners so I couldn’t get lost.”
PHOTO BY DO
UG BEATTY
“The style of the circuit, with its long and fast corners forces the driver to focus on momentum”
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CTMP & THE MOSPORT LEGACY: 61 YEARS OF MEMORIES
PHOTO BY ALLAN DE LA PLANTE
“It was, without a doubt, the people involved at the circuit who carried Mosport through the ages to where it is now” What carried across the entire spectrum of stories was the personal relationships that had been established at the track, relationships that launched the careers of many important figures. It was, without a doubt, the people involved at the circuit who carried Mosport through the ages to where it is now. Harvey Hudes, who purchased the venue with business partner Bernard Kamin in the mid60’s, was one of these important figures. For my dad, it was Harvey who provided him with the career advice to put aside the open-wheel dream and focus on the sports car ranks, which were becoming more and more backed by big manufacturers. Eventually dad landed with Chevrolet in 1995 and has been with them ever since. Paul Chater, who Harvey hired as a kid to be the public address announcer at Turn
5, went on to have an incredible career in motorsport television broadcasting for major outlets like CTV, CBC, NBC, and TSN. Then of course Allan de la Plante, who manufactured his own media pass in the trunk of his car, was noticed by Harvey who saw great potential in the young photographer. “I ran into Harvey one day and he said ‘why don’t you send me a letter, and I will give you real credentials…I’ve been watching your work and I’d like to have you around here,’” de la Plante remembered. With Harvey’s help, Allan started creating posters from images shot at Mosport, and a poster trade with a talented young driver named Gilles Villeneuve changed his life forever - becoming Gilles’ personal photographer and close friend who documented his life in Formula 1. Figures too like Sid
PHOTO
PHOTO BY COURTE SY
A BY ALL
N DE LA
PLANTE
OF HUDES FAMILY
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FEAR LESS. DRIVE MORE. When the pressure of G-forces collides with the pressure to podium, some break. Others push through. Push through the heat of 150-degree cockpits. Through the fatigue of a triple stint. Through the thought of getting on the brakes one millisecond earlier. The more we drive. The less we fear. The more we push. The better we get.
RC F GT3 racecar shown. Trademarks shown are those of their respective owners. ©2022 Lexus
56322L01_7365A_Fear Less_6.875x9.75_R1.indd 1 Lexus_CTMP-SCGP22.indd CTMP-SCGP-Book.indb 27 2
lexus.com/motorsports @LexusRacingUSA @VasserSullivan
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CTMP & THE MOSPORT LEGACY: 61 YEARS OF MEMORIES
“There are many more stories to tell, and many names we still have to cross off the list.” Priddle, who’s contributions in media, communications, and public relations, essentially provided that vital coverage of Canadian racing events to the major media outlets. Without coverage of that kind the sport wouldn’t have sponsors, or even fans. People like Sid and his son Jerry too, have been pivotal to the sport over the years by putting fans in the stands not just at CTMP, but every other major Canadian racing weekend on the season calendar. For my dad and I, the mission of this podcast became about documenting these verbal histories of the track. Unfortunately, we
weren’t quick enough to capture some of them. Names like Ludwig Heimrath, Horst Kroll, Frank Orr, Dean McNulty, Jim Martyn, were most definitely on the list. But sadly they had passed before we got the chance to interview them. There’s many more stories to tell, and many names we still have to cross off the list. We’re
looking forward to what the future holds, and what we might find in the past. The CTMP60 Podcast and the CTMP60 Anniversary Special: Emerson Fittipaldi are available on Canadian Tire Motorsport Park’s official YouTube channel. Find the CTMP60 Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts.
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HOMETOWN HEROES
PFAFF MOTORSPORTS HUNGRY TO CAPTURE ELUSIVE IMSA WIN AT CTMP STORY BY SAM FELLOWS // PHOTOGRAPHY BY JORDAN LENSSEN
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T
he importance of a good team cannot be understated in auto-racing. If we’re going to use a hockey metaphor, which is aptly Canadian of course, you could say that the driver - or drivers in the case of endurance racing - act kind of like your top goal scorers; your power forwards. You need your top talent to perform, and it’s no different in racing. But, as any good Canadian knows, you cannot win big games and championships on the backs of one or two players. It has to be a team effort. Over the past decade, PFAFF Motorsports - based out of Vaughan, Ontario has asserted themselves as a top sports car racing program in North America. The team, which had for most of their history operated within the national racing systems of Canada, went international in 2018 when they entered their Porsche GT3R in the World Challenge GT division. Perhaps surprising to some, but not to fans north of the border, they won the championship that year. Then in 2019 they stepped up to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship; no easy feat. They won
multiple races in their first season, and in 2021 they earned the title of GTD Class Champions. And it gets even better, earlier this season in the Rolex 24 at Daytona they took home a class win in the newly minted GTD Pro category; battling some of the top manufacturer efforts in international sports car competition. At the helm of the team, as General Manager since 2015, has been Steve Bortolotti. “We always look for the next thing and growth,” Bortolotti said. And when they reach victory wherever they are racing he says, “okay, so we’ve checked that box … what do we do next?”
“The gravity of what we’ve managed to accomplish in such a short timespan is certainly not lost on us...”
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HOMETOWN HEROES
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HOMETOWN HEROES
Bortolotti, who worked his way through the ranks at PFAFF from marketing, to sales, to now managing the racing division, has assembled a crew of like minded competitors. Everyone on the team has their razor sharp sites set on winning, and there’s no place they’d like to do it more than at their home track. “The gravity of what we’ve managed to accomplish in such a short timespan is certainly not lost on us,” said Technical Director, Andrew Marangoni. “The one feather that is conspicuously missing from our metaphorical cap is a WeatherTech class win at our home track, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.” Although the iconic plaid No. 9 Porsche doesn’t have any Canadians at the wheel this season - they did in past seasons with Zach Robichon and Scott Hargrove - the importance of the event at CTMP is a focal point for drivers Matt Campbell of Australia, and Mathieu
Jaminet of France. “It’s a super important one for the team,” said Jaminet. “It will be important to perform in front of all the Pfaff team, the partners and sponsors that will come over … this is definitely at the top of our list to try to win this one.” With the multi-year hiatus of IMSA at CTMP, due to COVID-19, the Canadian PFAFF Motorsports team members are eager to finally get back to racing on home soil. Here’s what they had to say … “A lot has happened in these past few years, and we’ve grown so much as a team resulting in some incredible achievements during that time,” said Car Chief, Corey Whiteman. “That being said, these achievements do come with a cost at home with lengthy times away from those we love. I am extremely excited for the chance to build on our recent success and secure a great result here in front of all our family and friends!”
“A lot has happened in these past few years, and we’ve grown so much as a team resulting in some incredible achievements during that time...”
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HOMETOWN HEROES
Performance Engineer Antonio De Sanctis said, “having family and friends in the grandstands supporting the team while you get to do your dream job sounds like a recipe for a perfect weekend. All that’s left to do now is to continue our season of stellar execution to ensure we emerge from the race as hometown heroes!” Mechanic JP Dias said, “it is a privilege to be able to see our Canadian fans once again and race on our home track. Finally my friends and family can come see our team in action and get a glimpse of what happens behind the scenes.” “I’m thrilled to finally be back at CTMP after two years of challenges from the pandemic. I’m excited for the surreal feeling of having our hometown fans cheering us on at our home track,” said mechanic Anthony Cesario. Composites Technician Matt Ristevski said, “as a spectator at CTMP for nearly 20 years, and it being my first race with the team on home turf, ‘excited’ is definitely an understatement. We’ve done a lot to be proud of over the past two years, and I can’t wait to finally celebrate all our efforts with our family.” And finally, fueler Mathieu Deschamps had this to say; “punch it, Chewie!”
“I’m thrilled to finally be back at CTMP after two years of challenges from the pandemic. I’m excited for the surreal feeling of having our hometown fans cheering us on at our home track...”
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THE HOME RACE: MARK WILKINS & ROBERT WICKENS AIM FOR VICTORY AT CTMP STORY BY SAM FELLOWS // PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAT IMAGES
For teammates Mark Wilkins and Robert Wickens, there’s plenty of reasons why it’s special to be back racing at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park this year.
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T
he Canadian duo, sharing driving roles of the number 33 Hynundai Elantra N TCR car in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge for Bryan Herta Autosport, are racing for the first time in their home country after a multi-year hiatus. For Mark Wilkins, it’s his first time back racing at “home” since 2019, after the COVID pandemic forced the cancellation of the IMSA weekend in both 2020 and 2021. And for Robert Wickens, it’s his first time racing in Canada since being behind the wheel of an IndyCar at the Toronto Indy in 2018.
Of course, it has been a long and difficult road for Wickens to get to this point. The entire racing community held their breath when Robert was involved in a scary crash at the 2018 IndyCar event at Pocono Raceway. The injuries sustained left Wickens in a coma, and with severe spinal damage. But for the Guelph, Ontario driver it was never a question of if he would race again, but when. “Probably since the first hours I was awake out of my coma I wanted to get back in the race car,” Wickens said. “When you do it your whole life it’s hard to just not be a part of that anymore.”
But for the Guelph, Ontario driver it was never a question of if he would race again, but when.
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Wickens’ story has been an inspiration to many, as he has battled back to racing from those injuries that included a thoracic spinal fracture, a spinal cord injury, a neck fracture, tibia and fibula fractures to both legs and fractures in both hands. Many wondered if he would ever race again. “I was always trying to get back behind the wheel to prove, not just to myself but to everyone, that it could be done.” In his rigorous physical training, rehab, and recovery, Wickens has restored some ability in his legs - he was able to stand and dance with his wife, Karli, at their wedding in September of 2019. But for getting around, the wheelchair is the most efficient way - and since he’s not yet able to use his feet for working pedals, his inputs to the race car are all done by hand controls. Wickens says competing in sim-racing and using hand-controls in the virtual world, during the early days of his recovery, played an important role in developing muscle memory for operating the brake and throttle with his hands.
Wickens is a fierce competitor who wants to win and he won’t be fully satisfied until the job is done.
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THE HOME RACE: MARK WILKINS & ROBERT WICKENS AIM FOR VICTORY AT CTMP
In speaking with Robert, you might imagine that his outlook on a miraculous first season back to racing would be purely based on a happiness to just be back in race car at all. But you would be wrong, Wickens is a fierce competitor who wants to win and he won’t be fully satisfied until the job is done. “I think it’s been a bittersweet year,” Wickens said. “We hit the ground running being on the podium at Daytona in our first race … but we’ve led laps in every single race this year, and for one reason or another we just don’t seem to get the breaks we need to win.”
Toronto-born Mark Wilkins has been racing a Hyundai TCR car in North America since the program began in 2018. He collected the drivers championships in their first two campaigns with co-driver Michael Lewis, and the Bryan Herta Autosport team itself has been dominant - winning the TCR category in 2020 and 2021 as well. When Mark heard that team-owner Bryan Herta wanted to team him up with Robert Wickens, Wilkins said he was “all in.” “Bryan [Herta] really wanted to get Robert back in a car,” Wilkins
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THE HOME RACE: MARK WILKINS & ROBERT WICKENS AIM FOR VICTORY AT CTMP
Now as teammates they are hungry to get back on the podium, and both drivers feel that CTMP could be the opportunity to do just that.
said. “And when Bryan says he wants to do something he does it.” “I thought it was a tremendous opportunity,” Wilkins continued. “I knew Robert was going to be fast, just because of who he is … he’s got a tremendous amount of feel for a race car, even with the challenges he has faced he was on the pace right away … it’s just a testament to his determination and to his skills.” As you might imagine, Wilkins and Wickens have known each other for years but have never actually competed against one another on track. With Mark being a few years older than Robert, they were always in different classes when coming up through the ranks of karting and into cars.
“I was a junior when he was a senior in karting,” said Wickens. “He went to cars just before me, but I always kept in touch of course because he was teammates with James Hinchcliffe in Star Mazda and James and I have always been close.” Even as Wilkins was paving his way in the North American sports car scene, he was keeping an eye on the progress of his countryman Wickens. “I always followed his career with keen interest, it was fun to watch him in DTM and obviously when he went to IndyCar.” Now as teammates they are hungry to get back on the podium, and both drivers feel that CTMP could be the opportunity to do just that. Wickens hasn’t raced at
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THE HOME RACE: MARK WILKINS & ROBERT WICKENS AIM FOR VICTORY AT CTMP
the track since he finished fourth in a one-off Formula Atlantic deal in 2009. “It would be an amazing feeling to get back on the podium at CTMP,” Wickens said. “I think the Elantra N TCR is pretty good in high speed corner, so I think CTMP will suit us quite well.” Wilkins followed the sentiment saying, “I think the car checks all the boxes for CTMP … it should have a lot of stability with the longer wheelbase and it seems to be very aero efficient … I expect the pace to be strong for us with the Elantra.” For the Canadian duo, a win at their home track - on home soil on Canada Day weekend no less, would be a crowning moment in their first season as teammates.
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Celebrating Porsche passion from coast-to-coast. Join us on Saturday, September 17 for Sportscar Together Day. To commemorate Canada’s Porsche passion and the 70th anniversary of Porsche Clubs, Porsche Centres across the country will celebrate Sportscar Together Day on Saturday, September 17. This is your opportunity to connect with enthusiasts in your area, see classics on display, and learn more about the technology that is driving the Porsche legacy into the future. For more information on how to attend Sportscar Together Day, contact your local Porsche Centre. © 2022 Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd. Porsche recommends seat belt usage and observance of traffic laws at all times. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG is the owner of the Porsche Crest® trademark.
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THAT’S A WRAP. . .
OR IS IT? WHILE MORE IMSA TEAMS ARE USING VINYL WRAPS TO DISPLAY CAR DESIGNS, TRADITIONAL PAINTED LIVERIES STILL EXIST … AND WIN
STORY BY DAVID PHILLIPS
P
erhaps the most endangered species in motorsports in recent years has been the bodywork painter of race cars. For as their cost and weight have come down, vinyl body wraps – essentially carsized decals covering the entire bodywork – have increasingly become in vogue throughout the IMSA paddocks. And why not? In an age when primary, secondary and associate sponsorships can shift race to race, market to market, it makes sense to be able to change a race car’s livery almost as quickly as mechanics can change a windshield tearaway during a pit stop. “There are so many what are called ‘repurposed paint job’
races – the reliance on individual partners to be featured at individual races,” says Mike Hull, Chip Ganassi Racing’s managing director. “You’ll have an event at say Sebring and then the very next weekend they’re racing with a totally different livery or partner, and you can change the wrap in the field, so to speak.” Speaking of in the field, when bodywork has been bent, folded and/or mutilated during an incident in practice or qualifying, wraps enable teams to present their cars with a pristine appearance on race day that same weekend. “If your bodywork gets roughed up, you just basically pull off the wrap and put another one straight on, whereas with painting you
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have to go through a whole range of steps if you want to refresh it,” says Bryan Herta Autosport team manager Phil Howard. “A wrap is definitely less time-consuming and somewhat more cost-effective.” Wrapping also enables teams to create and readily duplicate intricate liveries. Take, for example, two of IMSA’s most distinctive
“A wrap is definitely less timeconsuming and somewhat more cost-effective.”
looks of late: Pfaff Motorsports’ silver and “tartan” GTD PRO Porsche 911 GT3R and Era Motorsports’ “crayon” Le Mans Prototype 2 car, the latter featuring a design created by young race fan Owen McEachern. Faithfully painting Owen’s design on Era’s ORECA LMP2 07 would have been nigh onto impossible. And yet, Era ran a wrap of that livery in the 2021 Rolex 24 At Daytona, reverted to a more conventional look for the balance of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship schedule and then reprised the crayon wrap for the Motul Petit Le Mans season finale. And if slightly less impossible than duplicating the crayon livery, it would have been tedious in the extreme to paint that tartan plaid on the Pfaff Porsche, let alone its spare body panels. “I don’t think you find many cars in GTD painted,” says Steve Bortolotti, Pfaff Motorsports’ general manager. “Given all the intricate body work, wraps are just easier to work with. “(Our) wrap is actually a red vinyl that the plaid is printed on. Then we add the silver. We have templates for the car that we’ve had a few years now, so we’re pretty familiar with the process, which makes it go a lot quicker. The company we use – C17 media – can bang it out in about a day. It’s still a lot of work applying because the patterns have to line up. I’ve tried to do repairs of my own from time to time and made an absolute mess of it, so we leave it to the pros. It’s a simple matter of having a roll of the wrap tucked away in the trailer if we need it.” But for all the advantages of wraps, paint can still be found on the IMSA grids, and in victory lane. For example, the overall win in the
2022 Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Presented by Advance Auto Parts went to Ganassi’s No. 02 Cadillac DPi-V.R. Make that, CGR’s “painted” No. 02 Cadillac DPi. “Cadillac wanted to create the branding image that everyone saw at Daytona and Sebring,” Hull explains. “We thought we could do a really good job of getting the feel they wanted if we painted them the first time around. And there was a lot of work put into that by our paint shop. They really relished the opportunity because we don’t do a lot of painting at the moment. So, it was refreshing to see the appearance of the cars and how professionally they were presented based on what Cadillac wanted us to achieve, together with them. “We may wrap the cars as time goes on, it’s hard to say, but the cars looked terrific on the racetrack and we had a lot of compliments off the racetrack, so it was a great exercise for us.” Although wraps are in the ascendancy, don’t shed too many tears for the painters. While many race teams outsource the creation of their wraps to the same services responsible for some of the gaudy liveries sported by commercial vehicles you see on the street, many teams that once had a dedicated paint shop and painters have transitioned their facilities and personnel to wrapping. Because, for all the talk about the ease and efficiency of wrapping, as much preparation goes into prepping a race car for a wrap job as a paint job. The next time you attend an IMSA race, look behind the pit boxes and you’ll see replacement noses, wings and tail sections stacked two and three deep. Wrapped or painted? Only a seasoned observer (or a member of the team) can say for sure.
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CROSS POLLINATION: TECHNOLOGY TRANSFERS BOTH WAYS IN IMSA RACING STORY BY DAVID PHILLIPS
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MANUFACTURERS HAVE APPLIED NUMEROUS ROAD CAR DEVELOPMENTS TO THEIR RACE CARS
R
acing improves the breed. It’s a mantra nearly as old as motorsports. Be it the first use of a rearview mirror on the Marmon Wasp piloted to victory in the inaugural Indy 500 by Ray Harroun, the disc brakes developed in the heat of competition in the 1950s,
race-inspired independent suspension, keyless ignitions, composite materials and scores of other examples, innovation has beat a path from the track to the showroom. Even today’s most humble daily drivers bristle with technologies introduced and developed on the world’s racetracks.
And yet, such is the pace of contemporary automotive technology that the cross pollination between track and road is very much a two-way street. For example, ABS (antilock braking system) was, if not commonplace, widely available on passenger cars in the ’80s before finding its way into racing thanks, in part, to the reluctance of sanctioning bodies to take any element of the control of the car out of the driver’s hands (or in this case, feet) in favor of on-board computers. Indeed, to this day ABS is only permitted in the GT Daytona (GTD) and GT Daytona Pro (GTD PRO) classes of the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship. But that doesn’t mean technology developed on road cars is nowhere to be found on IMSA grids. In a pleasingly ironic twist, for example, the rearview cameras found on the Chevrolet Corvette C8.R’s are based on the technology initially developed for road-going ‘Vettes. Take that, Mr. Harroun!
And those Daytona Prototype international (DPi) Acura ARX-05s campaigned by Meyer Shank Racing and Wayne Taylor Racing? Their 3.5-liter turbocharged V-6s are derived from the production “J35” engine found in several Honda/ Acura production vehicles (e.g., the Honda Ridgeline, Honda Pilot and Acura MDX). Not surprisingly, examples of technologies and gadgetry flowing from road cars to race cars are most often found in IMSA’s various GT categories, which feature more than a dozen automotive manufacturers in GTD and GTD PRO categories of the WeatherTech Championship as well as the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Grand Sport (GS) and Touring Car (TCR) classes. For instance, although Hyundai has enjoyed great success with its Veloster N TCR (sweeping the top three Michelin Pilot Challenge TCR spots in 2020), the marque added the Elantra N TCR to its
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CROSS POLLINATION: TECHNOLOGY TRANSFERS BOTH WAYS IN IMSA RACING
quiver starting last season. The Elantra features production-based electric power steering and turbo/ wastegate systems complementing its two-liter, turbocharged I-4 engine-based powertrain that is almost entirely production-derived. Even Porsche – where race cars are designed concurrently with their road car siblings (and vice versa), and the 911 GT3 Cup and 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport road and race cars were debuted to the public at the same time – utilizes the road car to race car technology transfer model at times. Case in point: The air conditioner used on the 911 GT3 R (featured in both GTD and GTD PRO) is pulled from Porsche’s road cars and adapted to the racing environment. Although the GT classes may hold a substantial lead over the prototypes in the road car to race
car technology transfer sweepstakes of 2022, that balance figures to change next year. With the debut of hybrid powertrain technology in the new Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class, the manufacturers already committed (Acura, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Porsche) will inevitably apply the lessons learned and, in many cases, the technology already available in new car showrooms to the prototypes that will set the overall pace in IMSA beginning with the 2023 Rolex 24 At Daytona. And while that trend figures to accelerate as more manufacturers join the GTP ranks in the coming seasons, inevitably, innovation will also flow from the hybrid race cars to the hybrid road cars of the future in what amounts to a case study of how racing improves the breed. Still.
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SPEED ALL DAY WITH NO RISK OF A TICKET Featuring over 200 races from around the world and right here at home. REV TV is your 24/7 home for motorsports. REV TV showcases all forms of high-octane racing, such as the world’s premier motorcycle championship MotoGP, the high-flying and kids-friendly Monster Jam, the bruising challenge of snow, sand, gravel, and tarmac roads of the World Rally Championship, North America’s preeminent sportscar championship IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and Europe’s equivalent the World Endurance Championship that sees production cars and high-tech, sci-fi dreams prototypes race at historic circuits such as Daytona and Le Mans for hours on end, the future stars of IndyCars in Indy Lights, what has been described as the “World’s Greatest Race” featuring public roads, superbikes and no speed limits the Isle of Man TT, and much, much more.
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I WANNA GO FAST! FROM OLYMPIC SNOWBOARDER TO IMSA RACER STORY BY GODWIN KELLY
O
lympic athlete AJ Muss has traded his snowboard for a race car. Muss, 27, was part of Team USA for the 2018 Winter Olympics competing in the parallel giant slalom. Now he’s turned full attention to the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, where he shares the No. 2 Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb-Agajanian Hyundai Elantra N TCR with Ryan Norman. Their season got off to a hot start – literally – in the BMW M Endurance Challenge that opened the schedule at Daytona International Speedway. Muss qualified an exceptional second in the Touring
Car (TCR) class on Jan. 27, but a fire caused by a fuel injector malfunction on the opening lap of the four-hour race the following day ended their race way too early. Still, for Muss, it’s a short-term setback in a long-term plan to become a top-notch sports car driver. “Racing anything has been huge to me,” he said. “I love racing whether it’s scooters or running. I’ve always enjoyed speed, you know, jumping out of planes, doing anything to go as fast as I can. As they say, ‘With age comes a cage.’ Racing cars is a passion of mine and it’s where I want to go with my next step in life.”
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Muss is a quick study. He showed up for the 2020 Roar Before the Rolex 24 and ran laps under the watchful eyes of IMSA officials, who approved him for a license to compete in the BMW M Endurance Challenge that year. He and Mason Filippi teamed for the full 2021 Michelin Pilot Challenge season for Copeland Motorsports, another Hyundai team whose cars are prepared by Herta’s outfit. Muss is now a full-fledged member of BHA, sharing one of six team cars with Norman, the 2020 series TCR champion with Gabby Chaves. “The resources of this team are phenomenal,” Muss said. “The engineers are awesome; all the drivers get along. We all share data; everything across the board. All the playbooks are open under the same tent. We all want to be as competitive as possible and let the driving on track do the talking, not the cars. This program is doing such a great job of developing the cars and drivers.” Muss competed in the 2018 Winter Games after making a remarkable recovery from a high-altitude post-operative edema (a build-up of excess fluid in the lungs) following what was
supposed to be routine shoulder surgery in 2014. Placed into a medically induced coma, his heart stopped once while being transported to a trauma center. Miraculously, he recovered in time to qualify for the 2018 Games. It’s a determination and grit he sees in both Olympic-level athletics and professional racers. “I think it’s the work ethic and mindset – everything you do,” Muss said. “When you can take stuff on the chin and persevere through adversity, that is huge in any sport. People who are competitive in any sport can transfer over to any sport when they are willing to learn.”
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I WANNA GO FAST! FROM OLYMPIC SNOWBOARDER TO IMSA RACER
Of course, there are differences in the sports, both obvious and not so glaring. “The difference for me is that (racing a car is) not a sprint, it’s a (two- or four-hour) race,” Muss said. “It’s a long haul. So, you have to be able to slow everything down, be more methodical and realize you have a teammate so you have to set up the car for each other.” Even though he was rated the No. 1 American in the parallel giant slalom last month by the International Ski Federation, Muss wasn’t selected for the Beijing Games by Team USA. And that’s fine with him. Muss said sports car racing
“Muss competed in the 2018 Winter Games after making a remarkable recovery from a high-altitude post-operative edema”
is now his primary focus in life, with the objective of eventually racing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. “My goal in this sport is to be a competitive driver and get up to the WeatherTech paddock and to be fighting for Rolex 24 wins,” he said. “I don’t have a big desire to go outside of sports cars. I love sports cars and IMSA.”
As for the Winter Olympics, Muss will be watching. He said this year’s Team USA is one of the strongest ever. “Our ski team is phenomenal,” he said. “Mikaela Shiffrin is one of the best skiers to come along in a long time. We have some young downhill skiers that are really good. I think the team has a good shot at the medal count, for sure.”
THE OFFICIAL PRINT & SIGN SUPPLIER OF
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MEMO-RABLE JOURNEY REACHES MEMO-RABLE MOMENT: THE LONG-TIME FAVORITE SAVORS HIS RECENT IMSA PROTOTYPE CHALLENGE WIN IN THE LATEST CHAPTER OF HIS GREAT COMEBACK FROM SERIOUS INJURIES STORY BY HOLLY CAIN
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Memo Gidley has long been a racing favorite – respected by rivals, cheered by fans, looked up to by teammates. A celebrated sports car driver for decades, Gidley has shown himself a winner and a diverse competitor.
Y
et for all his driving skills and character assets, the 51-year-old says he now brings something even more cherished to the IMSA grid: perspective. Even after significant injuries suffered in a major accident in the 2014 Rolex 24 At Daytona – followed by a multiyear recovery – Gidley’s will never wavered. And now, eight years since the accident and nearly 17 years since his lone IMSA top-tier series race victory (2005 at Mexico City), Gidley took his place atop an IMSA podium once more at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on May 15 in the IMSA Prototype Challenge race. Gidley savored that special moment – the competition, the accomplishment, his own perseverance. “It was amazing, almost overwhelming,’’ Gidley says of the win
he shared with Alexander Koreiba in the Le Mans Prototype 3 (LMP3) race at Mid-Ohio. “It was just so nice. I’ve just had a great love of racing and great support of fans, and then after what happened in 2014 – and you know everyone, almost including myself, assumed at the time that was about it. There was just so much to get back from to be where I was or to get back out there and drive again. “I just love racing so much and just love being around the people that are involved. I’m always one to push my body and be prepared, but it was difficult. “So, to get back out there and to get a win in IMSA again, it was just awesome and everybody else was just so happy I was able to make it happen.’’ Gidley set the tone for the MidOhio weekend, winning the pole in the No. 23 AL Autosport with JDC
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MotorSports Duqueine D08. He built a comfortable advantage in the first half of the 90-minute race and turned the car over to Koreiba, who earned their first victory of the season by more than 41 seconds. The seat in the No. 23 Duqueine is the first fulltime ride in 10 years for Gidley, who established himself as a well-rounded racer competing in the IndyCar ranks as well as an accomplished sports car driver. In that decade of time, Gidley says he worked first to strengthen his body as he healed from a
broken back and significant injuries to his lower extremities. Simultaneously, he strengthened his spirit. Both were equally important to his recovery. When he felt healed enough to get behind the wheel again, he first chose a go-kart. “Just to get back out there really wasn’t good enough for me, just to be out there doing it,’’ Gidley recalls of the early efforts to return. “I wanted to feel like I was achieving what I thought I could. “For me, when I first took my go-kart out three years after
Gidley is adamant that, in some ways, the recovery and strict rehab he put himself through may have made him the ultimate candidate for this full-time job competing in IMSA.
my accident, I went to a track where nobody’s around because I didn’t want to drive and feel like I couldn’t do it and then have to tell people I wasn’t going to be able do it. “I wanted to make sure everything was good. And since that point, I’ve just known if I worked hard enough, I’d get back there. It’s more difficult, because as you get older, things get a little more difficult. And I think that’s another reason – now that I’m in my 50s, it seems like it inspires people that are out there getting older. Get out there and chase after your dreams even as you get older.” Gidley is adamant that, in some ways, the recovery and strict rehab he put himself through may have made him the ultimate candidate for this fulltime job competing in IMSA. He’s done various races in other series – usually no more than one or two a year leading into 2022 – but being in such prime physical shape has given him the confidence to take on the Prototype Challenge’s full schedule.
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MEMO-RABLE JOURNEY REACHES MEMO-RABLE MOMENT: GIDLEY’S RETURN TO VICTORY LANE
“Even though I was only doing that super-limited schedule, I was still at the go-kart track and still am, at least once a week,’’ Gidley says. “I’m still at the gym every day. I’m still on my mountain bike four days a week, I’m still swimming laps three days a week, so all that sort of stuff I’m still doing.” And as his turn at Mid-Ohio showed – he’s reaping the benefits with the regimen of physical preparedness. And his great desire to return to competition. And win.
“As you get older, you just realize how lucky you are, and also I definitely realized how many people – over the racing I’ve done – have helped to get me where I am,’’ Gidley said. “You really appreciate that. “I think when you’re younger, you kind of forget some of that stuff and are just trying to get up (the racing ladder) as quickly as possible. But getting on the podium … we’re racing cars, so you have to realize it’s a pretty cool
thing to do as a hobby or as a profession. And you just have to go out there and have fun, appreciate what you’re doing and do the best you can.’’ Gidley becomes animated speaking about his young co-driver Koreiba, 25, and the great vibe on the team. He says he is both helping Koreiba and learning from him. And the AL/JDC team, he says, is made up not only of quality, topshelf engineers and leaders, but “good people.’’
It’s all provided the kind of comeback story that motivates the mind as much as it warms the heart. “Maybe I wish I wasn’t an example because maybe that means I wouldn’t have had that crash in 2014,’’ Gidley concedes. “I was thinking about that this morning. As crazy as it sounds, I’ve enjoyed this experience after 2014, even though it was really difficult for a number of years. Especially now, how appreciative everyone is that I’m actually out there, and I’m appreciating being out there and able to do it. “My whole deal now is about living your prime now,’’ he continues. “A lot of people think your prime is when you’re 20 or you’re 30 – and from then it goes downhill. I’ll tell you it does get a lot harder. The days I spend in the gym preparing, it’s harder to maintain and get to the strength you want to, but you’ve got to just go for it. “You can’t get sidetracked and think it’s not going to happen. It’s cool I can kind of inspire people to just get out there and do what they enjoy: live their life, do what they enjoy and do it well.’’ Combined with their third-place finish at the Daytona International Speedway season opener in January, Gidley and Koreiba are just 20 points out of the Prototype Challenge standings lead. The series returns to action July 3 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.
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MASTERS HISTORIC RACING MASTERS RACING LEGENDS USA CONTINUES TO RAISE THE PROFILE OF HISTORIC FORMULA ONE ACROSS NORTH AMERICA.
C
atering for 3-liter engine Formula One cars from 1966 through to 1985, Masters Racing Legends USA takes us back to an era in which Cosworth DFV power and a creative car designer could win races, long before wind tunnels and energy drinks were created! Masters Racing Legends USA brings together famous constructor names such as Ferrari, Williams, McLaren, and Lotus as well as the
likes of Shadow, Tyrrell, and Amon who all played a part in the history of Formula One. With two races per weekend with an aggregate result with classes based on the age of the car, the season is sure to be full of action and variety… Masters Racing Legends USA is an emotive category in which cars run in their period livery, delivering a superb spectacle of sight and sound, then as now.
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At the Chevrolet Grand Prix, Masters Racing Legends USA will be sharing the grid with Masters Formula Atlantic Plus. Masters Formula Atlantic Plus is a series of Invitation Races for individual cars built to the appropriate Formula Atlantic Plus up to 2 litre-engine regulations between 1969 and 1986, running in their original specification. Eligible for Historic Formula Atlantic, Historic Formula Super Vee, and Historic Formula Two cars (max. 2.0L or under). For further information please visit – www.mastershistoricracing.com.
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POINTS STANDINGS
IMSA WEATHERTECH SPORTSCAR CHAMPIONSHIP
DPi Drivers RANK
DRIVERS
DAYTONA
SEBRING
LONG BEACH
WEATHERTECH RACEWAY
MIDOHIO
BELLE ISLE
WATKINS GLEN
CTMP
LIME ROCK
ROAD AMERICA
VIR
ROAD ATLANTA
TOTAL
1
Oliver Jarvis
350
260
280
320
320
320
2027
1
Tom Blomqvist
350
260
280
320
320
320
2027
2
Filipe Albuquerque
320
280
250
350
350
280
2017
2
Ricky Taylor
320
280
250
350
350
280
2017
3
Alex Lynn
250
350
320
260
280
300
1931
3
Earl Bamber
250
350
320
260
280
300
1931
4
Renger van der Zande
240
240
350
250
260
350
1884
4
Sebastien Bourdais
240
240
350
250
260
350
1884
5
Richard Westbrook
300
320
300
280
250
260
1868 1868
5
Tristan Vautier
300
320
300
280
250
260
6
Pipo Derani
280
300
260
300
300
250
1851
7
Tristan Nunez
280
300
260
300
300
/
1575
8
Loic Duval
300
320
/
/
/
/
676
9
Will Stevens
320
280
/
/
/
/
665 636
10
Mike Conway
280
300
/
/
/
/
11
Jose Maria Lopez
260
250
/
/
/
/
566
11
Kamui Kobayashi
260
250
/
/
/
/
566
11
Mike Rockenfeller
260
250
/
/
/
/
566
12
Helio Castroneves
350
/
/
/
/
/
378
12
Simon Pagenaud
350
/
/
/
/
/
378
13
Neel Jani
/
350
/
/
/
/
378
14
Alexander Rossi
320
/
/
/
/
/
355
15
Ben Keating
300
/
/
/
/
/
332
16
Jimmie Johnson
260
/
/
/
/
/
290
17
Olivier Pla
/
/
/
/
/
250
276
DAYTONA
SEBRING
LONG BEACH
WEATHERTECH RACEWAY
MIDOHIO
BELLE ISLE
LMP2 Drivers RANK
DRIVERS
WATKINS GLEN
CTMP
LIME ROCK
ROAD AMERICA
VIR
ROAD ATLANTA
TOTAL
1
HENRIK HEDMAN
/
230
/
300
350
/
1
JUAN PABLO MONTOYA
/
230
/
300
350
/
972
2
DWIGHT MERRIMAN
/
300
/
320
260
/
963
972
2
RYAN DALZIEL
/
300
/
320
260
/
963
3
JONATHAN BOMARITO
/
280
/
260
320
/
950
3
STEVEN THOMAS
/
280
/
260
320
/
950
4
JOHN FARANO
/
240
/
350
280
/
948
5
JOSH PIERSON
/
280
/
280
250
/
900
6
ANDERS FJORDBACH
/
250
/
250
300
/
878
6
DENNIS ANDERSEN
/
250
/
250
300
/
878
7
LOUIS DELETRAZ
/
240
/
350
/
/
642
8
PATRICK KELLY
/
/
/
280
250
/
597
9
BEN KEATING
/
350
/
/
/
/
385
9
MIKKEL JENSEN
/
350
/
/
/
/
385
9
SCOTT HUFFAKER
/
350
/
/
/
/
385
10
DYLAN MURRY
/
320
/
/
/
/
348
10
FRITS VAN EERD
/
320
/
/
/
/
348
10
GIEDO VAN DER GARDE
/
320
/
/
/
/
348
11
KYLE TILLEY
/
300
/
/
/
/
330
12
WILL STEVENS
/
/
/
/
280
/
306
13
GUY SMITH
/
260
/
/
/
/
284
13
JAMES MCGUIRE
/
260
/
/
/
/
284
14
DUNCAN TAPPY
/
260
/
/
/
/
284
15
FABIO SCHERER
/
250
/
/
/
/
275
16
RUI PINTO DE ANDRADE
/
240
/
/
/
/
266
17
SEBASTIAN MONTOYA
/
230
/
/
/
/
262
VISIT OUR DIGITAL GUIDE FOR UP TO DATE ENTRY LISTS 62
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POINTS STANDINGS
LMP3 Drivers RANK
DRIVERS
DAYTONA
SEBRING
LONG BEACH
WEATHERTECH RACEWAY
MIDOHIO
BELLE ISLE
WATKINS GLEN
CTMP
LIME ROCK
ROAD AMERICA
VIR
ROAD ATLANTA
TOTAL
1
Ari Balogh
/
320
/
/
320
/
688
1
Garett Grist
/
320
/
/
320
/
688
2
Colin Braun
/
260
/
/
350
/
661
2
Jon Bennett
/
260
/
/
350
/
661
3
Joao Barbosa
/
350
/
/
250
/
647
3
Lance Willsey
/
350
/
/
250
/
647
4
Dakota Dickerson
/
320
/
/
260
/
635
5
Dan Goldburg
/
300
/
/
240
/
596
5
Rasmus Lindh
/
300
/
/
240
/
596
6
Felipe Fraga
/
240
/
/
280
/
583
6
Gar Robinson
/
240
/
/
280
/
583
7
Gabby Chaves
/
210
/
/
300
/
577
7
Jarett Andretti
/
210
/
/
300
/
577
8
Kuno Wittmer
/
280
/
/
230
/
556 556
8
Orey Fidani
/
280
/
/
230
/
9
Malthe Jakobsen
/
350
/
/
/
/
374
10
Cameron Shields
/
300
/
/
/
/
326
11
Lars Kern
/
280
/
/
/
/
302
12
Josh Sarchet
/
/
/
/
260
/
292
13
George Kurtz
/
260
/
/
/
/
285
14
James Vance
/
250
/
/
/
/
278
14
Max Hanratty
/
250
/
/
/
/
278
14
Todd Archer
/
250
/
/
/
/
278
15
Kay van Berlo
/
240
/
/
/
/
275
16
Mark Kvamme
/
230
/
/
/
/
251
DAYTONA
SEBRING
LONG BEACH
WEATHERTECH RACEWAY
MIDOHIO
BELLE ISLE
GTD PRO Drivers RANK
DRIVERS
WATKINS GLEN
CTMP
LIME ROCK
ROAD AMERICA
VIR
ROAD ATLANTA
TOTAL
1
Mathieu Jaminet
350
260
260
350
/
/
1345
1
Matt Campbell
350
260
260
350
/
/
1345
2
Antonio Garcia
250
350
300
280
/
/
1295
2
Jordan Taylor
250
350
300
280
/
/
1295
3
Ben Barnicoat
280
240
320
320
/
/
1265 1265
3
Jack Hawksworth
280
240
320
320
/
/
4
Cooper MacNeil
230
250
280
250
/
/
1112
5
Alex Riberas
180
200
350
260
/
/
1106
5
Ross Gunn
180
200
350
260
/
/
1106
6
Connor De Phillippi
240
210
250
300
/
/
1095
6
John Edwards
240
210
250
300
/
/
1095
7
Felipe Nasr
350
260
/
/
/
/
668
8
Nicky Catsburg
250
350
/
/
/
/
655
9
Daniel Serra
320
220
/
/
/
/
595
9
Davide Rigon
320
220
/
/
/
/
595
10
Andrea Caldarelli
190
320
/
/
/
/
577
10
Marco Mapelli
190
320
/
/
/
/
577
10
Mirko Bortolotti
190
320
/
/
/
/
577
11
Jules Gounon
200
300
/
/
/
/
542
11
Maro Engel
200
300
/
/
/
/
542
12
Marco Wittmann
220
280
/
/
/
/
542
12
Nick Yelloly
220
280
/
/
/
/
542
12
Philipp Eng
220
280
/
/
/
/
542
13
Alessio Picariello
230
250
/
/
/
/
524
13
Julien Andlauer
230
250
/
/
/
/
524
VISIT OUR DIGITAL GUIDE FOR UP TO DATE ENTRY LISTS 63
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POINTS STANDINGS
IMSA WEATHERTECH SPORTSCAR CHAMPIONSHIP - CONTINUED
GTD Drivers RANK
DRIVERS
DAYTONA
SEBRING
LONG BEACH
WEATHERTECH RACEWAY
MIDOHIO
BELLE ISLE
WATKINS GLEN
CTMP
LIME ROCK
ROAD AMERICA
VIR
ROAD ATLANTA
TOTAL
1
Stevan McAleer
300
320
/
260
250
260
1520
2
Jan Heylen
350
210
/
350
220
240
1486
2
Ryan Hardwick
350
210
/
350
220
240
1486
3
Bill Auberlen
130
280
/
300
350
230
1391
3
Robby Foley
130
280
/
300
350
230
1391
4
Frankie Montecalvo
160
240
/
230
300
280
1314
5
Roman De Angelis
220
160
/
240
230
320
1289
6
Jeff Westphal
140
180
/
320
280
250
1287
6
Robert Megennis
140
180
/
320
280
250
1287
7
Mike Skeen
300
320
/
/
250
260
1237
8
Philip Ellis
250
190
/
170
260
210
1216
8
Russell Ward
250
190
/
170
260
210
1216
9
Bryan Sellers
/
150
/
280
320
300
1170
9
Madison Snow
/
150
/
280
320
300
1170
10
Aaron Telitz
160
/
/
230
300
280
1069
11
Brendan Iribe
260
260
/
180
200
/
964
12
Jordan Pepper
260
260
/
/
200
/
765
13
Richard Heistand
160
240
/
/
240
/
715
14
Aidan Read
/
/
/
190
210
220
692
14
Ryan Eversley
/
/
/
190
210
220
692
15
Katherine Legge
210
230
/
210
/
/
685
15
Rob Ferriol
210
230
/
210
/
/
685
16
Daniel Morad
110
220
/
220
/
/
620
16
Michael de Quesada
110
220
/
220
/
/
620
17
Luis Perez Companc
280
300
/
/
/
/
619
17
Simon Mann
280
300
/
/
/
/
619
17
Toni Vilander
280
300
/
/
/
/
619
VISIT OUR DIGITAL GUIDE FOR UP TO DATE ENTRY LISTS 64
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POINTS STANDINGS
IMSA MICHELIN PILOT CHALLENGE
GS Drivers RANK
DRIVERS
DAYTONA
SEBRING
WEATHERTECH RACEWAY
MID-OHIO
WATKINS GLEN
CTMP
LIME ROCK
ROAD AMERICA
VIR
ROAD ATLANTA
TOTAL
1
TRENT HINDMAN
240
320
350
320
0
0
0
0
0
0
1230
1
ALAN BRYNJOLFSSON
240
320
350
320
0
0
0
0
0
0
1230 1100
2
ERIC FOSS
230
280
240
350
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
STEVAN MCALEER
350
150
320
150
0
0
0
0
0
0
970
4
CHAD MCCUMBEE
140
350
230
240
0
0
0
0
0
0
960
4
JAMES PESEK
140
350
230
240
0
0
0
0
0
0
960
5
ALFREDO NAJRI
180
300
300
160
0
0
0
0
0
0
940
6
VINCENT BARLETTA
260
50
280
230
0
0
0
0
0
0
820
6
ROBBY FOLEY
260
50
280
230
0
0
0
0
0
0
820
7
HUGH PLUMB
250
250
60
250
0
0
0
0
0
0
810
7
MATT PLUMB
250
250
60
250
0
0
0
0
0
0
810
8
CHRISTIAN SZYMCZAK
210
80
250
260
0
0
0
0
0
0
800
8
KENNY MURILLO
210
80
250
260
0
0
0
0
0
0
800
9
MICHAEL MCCANN
60
200
210
300
0
0
0
0
0
0
770
9
ANDREW DAVIS
60
200
210
300
0
0
0
0
0
0
770
10
KRIS WILSON
200
230
200
130
0
0
0
0
0
0
760
10
GARY FERRERA
200
230
200
130
0
0
0
0
0
0
760
11
TED GIOVANIS
320
240
80
110
0
0
0
0
0
0
750
11
OWEN TRINKLER
320
240
80
110
0
0
0
0
0
0
750
12
DILLON MACHAVERN
300
220
110
100
0
0
0
0
0
0
730
12
BILL AUBERLEN
300
220
110
100
0
0
0
0
0
0
730
13
GREGORY LIEFOOGHE
50
260
150
200
0
0
0
0
0
0
660
13
SEAN QUINLAN
50
260
150
200
0
0
0
0
0
0
660
14
NATE STACY
0
180
190
280
0
0
0
0
0
0
650
14
LUCA MARS
0
180
190
280
0
0
0
0
0
0
650
DAYTONA
SEBRING
WEATHERTECH RACEWAY
MID-OHIO
WATKINS GLEN
CTMP
LIME ROCK
ROAD AMERICA
VIR
ROAD ATLANTA
TOTAL
1220
TCR Drivers RANK
DRIVERS
1
MICHAEL LEWIS
320
320
260
320
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
TAYLOR HAGLER
320
320
260
320
0
0
0
0
0
0
1220
2
TYLER GONZALEZ
260
250
300
280
0
0
0
0
0
0
1090
2
RORY VAN DER STEUR
260
250
300
280
0
0
0
0
0
0
1090
3
TIM LEWIS
350
170
350
210
0
0
0
0
0
0
1080
3
ROY BLOCK
350
170
350
210
0
0
0
0
0
0
1080
4
PARKER CHASE
190
240
280
350
0
0
0
0
0
0
1060
4
HARRY GOTTSACKER
190
240
280
350
0
0
0
0
0
0
1060
5
VICTOR GONZALEZ
180
350
190
260
0
0
0
0
0
0
980
6
GAVIN ERNSTONE
170
280
230
300
0
0
0
0
0
0
980
6
JON MORLEY
170
280
230
300
0
0
0
0
0
0
980
7
ERIC ROCKWELL
240
210
320
190
0
0
0
0
0
0
960
8
STEPHEN SIMPSON
250
220
250
240
0
0
0
0
0
0
960
8
MICHAEL JOHNSON
250
220
250
240
0
0
0
0
0
0
960
9
ROBERT WICKENS
300
180
220
200
0
0
0
0
0
0
900
10
MIKEY TAYLOR
210
300
180
180
0
0
0
0
0
0
870
10
CHRIS MILLER
210
300
180
180
0
0
0
0
0
0
870
11
TYLER MAXSON
220
160
240
230
0
0
0
0
0
0
850
11
MASON FILIPPI
220
160
240
230
0
0
0
0
0
0
850
12
RYAN NORMAN
150
230
210
220
0
0
0
0
0
0
810
12
AJ MUSS
150
230
210
220
0
0
0
0
0
0
810
13
KARL WITTMER
0
350
190
260
0
0
0
0
0
0
800
14
MARK WILKINS
300
180
220
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
700
15
STEVE EICH
160
260
0
170
0
0
0
0
0
0
590
15
CHAD GILSINGER
160
260
0
170
0
0
0
0
0
0
590
VISIT OUR DIGITAL GUIDE FOR UP TO DATE ENTRY LISTS 66
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POINTS STANDINGS
IMSA PROTOTYPE CHALLENGE
LMP3 Drivers RANK
DRIVERS
DAYTONA
MID-OHIO
CTMP
VIR
ROAD ATLANTA
TOTAL
1
TONIS KASEMETS
350
320
0
0
0
670
2
MEMO GIDLEY
300
350
0
0
0
650
2
ALEXANDER KOREIBA
300
350
0
0
0
650
3
PATRICK KUJALA
320
280
0
0
0
600
3
BRIAN THIENES
320
280
0
0
0
600
4
ARI BALOGH
220
300
0
0
0
520
5
TERRY OLSON
260
220
0
0
0
480
5
COURTNEY CRONE
260
220
0
0
0
480
6
LANCE WILLSEY
250
230
0
0
0
480
7
KEITH GRANT
210
260
0
0
0
470
7
DAVID GRANT
210
260
0
0
0
470
8
ANTHONY MANTELLA
180
250
0
0
0
430
9
DANNY FORMAL
230
170
0
0
0
400
9
STEVE SCULLEN
230
170
0
0
0
400
10
DAN GOLDBURG
130
240
0
0
0
370
10
OSCAR BITAR
130
240
0
0
0
370
11
JOSH SAURINO
170
190
0
0
0
360
11
JOHN SAURINO
170
190
0
0
0
360
12
BRUCE HAMILTON
350
0
0
0
0
350
13
TONY AVE
190
160
0
0
0
350
14
GEORGE STAIKOS
140
200
0
0
0
340
14
HANNA ZELLERS
140
200
0
0
0
340
15
THOMAS MERRILL
0
300
0
0
0
300
16
DARIO CANGIALOSI
280
0
0
0
0
280
16
JON BROWNSON
280
0
0
0
0
280
VISIT OUR DIGITAL GUIDE FOR UP TO DATE ENTRY LISTS 67
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WHAT’S ON CTMP MARKETPLACE
Friday: 11 AM –5 PM Saturday & Sunday: 9 AM –5 PM
Visit the Chevrolet Performance HQ display for the ultimate simulated race experience, Chevy swag and more! Check out Blue Hive for giveaways and your chance to win adaily grand prize including a $100 Canadian Tire Gift Card! Pickup your official IMSA or PFAFF merchandise from the IMSA and Toronto Motorsports displays Be sure to visit the Wayfarer Insurancebooth to enter their grand prize draw –vaued at over $1,000! On Display: Roy Nichols Motors, Ron Fellows Driving Experience, Motul, REV TV, OwascoRV Visit the Trackside Grill or one of our food vendors such as Paco’s Tacos, Zambri’s Pizzeria, Heavenly Dreams Ice Cream, Loaded Pierogi or Lemon Heaven
CANADIAN TIRE FUN ZONE
Friday 11 AM –5 PM Saturday & Sunday 9 AM –5 PM
Bounce Castles, inflatables, games and giveaways! Also featuring a parent supervised area for toddlers Face painting Saturday & Sunday (11:30 AM –2:30 PM)
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Celebrating 100 Years 1922 ~ 2022
• Huge Selection of New models to choose from • Used Vehicle sales in all price ranges • CertiĐed Service with Free Shuttle • Genuine GM Parts, Accessories, all makes of tires, GM apparel & Car care products • Performance engines • Full Body & Paint facility servicing all makes • Service appointments available online
ROY NICHOLS
2728 Courtice Rd., HWY. #2 Courtice
289-316-2991 Toll free 1-888-992-4113
N
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Courtice Rd.
Trulls Rd.
Townline
HWY. #2
info@roynicholsmotors.com
www.roynicholsmotors.com Follow us on
Facebook 69
2022-06-15 2022-06-21 10:01 9:46 AM
WHAT’S ON
FOOD TRUCKS
Paco’s Taco’s located in Family Camping Fleet’s Coffee located on the Outside of Turn 3 Loaded Pierogi located at the Turn 2 Concession
BEER GARDEN
Serving from 11 AM Daily
Featuring CTMP’s custom “61” Lager from Brock St. Brewery & also serving up Carlsberg products all weekend long!
CTMP MERCH TRAILER
Open daily from 9 AM –4 PM (Located Between Paddock A & B)
Event t-shirts and all of your official CTMP gear!
CONCERT & FIREWORKS
Don’t miss Saturday night’s concert in the Beer Garden starting at 7 PM, followed by fireworks at Sundown
OPEN GRID WALK
Fans are invited to walk Pit Lane and get up close to their favouritecars and drivers. Open Grid Walks are before the Michelin Pilot Challenge feature race on Saturday, and Sunday’s WeatherTechChampionship main event. Access the Open Grid Walk in the Paddock at the base of the Michelin Bridge.
CANADIAN TIRE 100 FAN SHUTTLES
Friday:12:00 PM – 6:00 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Route map can be found at the Shuttle Station in the Marketplace. Shuttles run continuously throughout the day
MOTOMASTER FAN ASSIST CART
Mobile vehicle service providing fans with non-emergency support such as battery boosts and tire inflation Fan Assist Line: 905.806.8419
70
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Protect Your Passion At Wayfarer Insurance Group, we understand that your collector car is your passion. It’s also your freedom, and it’s worth protecting. We offer customized coverage at a competitive price.
Get a quote today!
wayfarerinsurancegroup.com/grandprix 1 (844) 929-4768 SCAN ME CTMP_GrandPrix_Wayfarer_FullPg_Ad.indd 1 CTMP-SCGP-Book.indb 71
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TRACK MAP LEGEND Information
Accessible Restroom
First Aid (Paddock Garage)
Parking
Restaurant / Concessions
Paddocks
Restroom
Walking Bridge
Dump Station
CTMP Marketplace
Showers
Victory Podium
Playground
Fuel Station
Food Truck
Trackside Grill
Merchandise Trailer Beer Garden
PARKING
Accessible Parking
PARKING
Grandstand PARKING
MOTOMASTER FAN SHUTTLES Route 1: Marketplace to Outside Corner 7 (Playground) Route 2: Marketplace to Canadian Tire Bridge (Inside) Route 3: Marketplace to Inside Corner 3 Route 4: Marketplace to Champion Bridge Route 5A: Marketplace to Outside Corner 3 Route 5B: Marketplace to Outside Corner 5a (Moss Corner)
72
PARKING
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KART TRACK
Turn 4 Pedestrian Bridge
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THURSDAY, JUNE 30TH, 2022 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Registration
FRIDAY, JULY 1ST, 2022 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Registration
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Michelin Pilot Challenge
PRACTICE #1
10:55 AM – 11:20 AM
Masters Racing Legends USA/Formula Atlantic
PRACTICE
11:20 AM – 1:20 PM
LUNCH
1:20 PM – 2:20 PM
Michelin Pilot Challenge
PRACTICE #2
2:40 PM – 4:10 PM
WeatherTech Championship (All Classes)
PRACTICE #1
4:30 PM – 4:55 PM
Masters Racing Legends USA/Formula Atlantic
QUALIFYING
5:10 PM – 5:25 PM
Michelin Challenge TCR
QUALIFYING
5:30 PM – 5:45 PM
Michelin Challenge GS
QUALIFYING
SATURDAY, JULY 2ND, 2022 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Registration
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
WeatherTech Championship (GTD/LMP3)
PRACTICE #2
8:15 AM – 9:45 AM
WeatherTech Championship (DPi/GTD PRO)
PRACTICE #2
10:15 AM – 11:00 AM
Prototype Challenge
PRACTICE #1
11:40 AM – 12:05 AM
Masters Racing Legends USA/Formula Atlantic
RACE #1 (25 Minutes)
12:40 PM – 12:55 PM
WeatherTech Championship (GTD, Silver & Bronze Only/ GTD PRO, Any Driver)
QUALIFYING
1:05 PM – 1:20 PM
WeatherTech Championship (LMP3, Silver <30/Bronze Only)
QUALIFYING
1:30 PM – 1:45 PM
WeatherTech Championship (DPi)
QUALIFYING
2:05 PM – 2:50 PM
Prototype Challenge
PRACTICE #2
2:50 PM – 3:50 PM
LUNCH
3:10 PM – 3:50 PM
Open Grid/Fan Walk
PRE-RACE
4:10 PM – 6:10 PM
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park 120 For the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge
RACE (2 Hours)
SUNDAY, JULY 3RD, 2022 6:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Registration
8:15 AM – 8:30 AM
Prototype Challenge
9:05 AM – 9:25 AM
Porscheplatz Car Corral Parade Lap
9:40 AM – 10:00 AM
WeatherTech Championship (All Classes)
QUALIFYING
10:05 AM – 10:25 AM
Corvette Car Corral Parade Lap
10:30 AM – 10:55 AM
Masters Racing Legends USA/Formula Atlantic
11:05 AM – 11:25 AM
BMW Car Corral Parade Lap
11:35 AM – 1:05 PM
Prototype Challenge
WARM UP
RACE #2 (25 Minutes)
RACE (1 Hour and 30 Minutes)
1:05 PM – 3:05 PM
LUNCH
1:45 PM – 2:45 PM
WeatherTech Championship Pre-Race Open Grid/Fan Walk
3:05 PM – 5:45 PM
SportsCar Grand Prix for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship
RACE (2 Hours and 40 Minutes)
Schedule Subject to Change
74
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The thrill of the drive,
no matter the season. THE stunning
michelin pilot ® SPORT ALL SEASON ®
4
TIRe.
Performance made to last in all seasons More at michelinman.com/ctmp-imsa
Copyright © 2022 Michelin North America, Inc. All rights reserved. The Michelin Man is a registered trademark owned by Michelin.
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S:6.875"
S:9.75"
DON’T MISS THE C8.R IN ACTION! JOIN US IN CHEERING ON THE CORVETTE TEAM THIS SUNDAY! Watch the legendary Corvette Racing team compete at the highest levels of endurance racing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The Chevrolet family is here to cheer them on and see the Grand Prix debut of the Corvette C8.R, so don’t miss out!
THE IMSA WEATHERTECH SPORTSCAR CHAMPIONSHIP RACE STARTS AT 3:05 PM, SUNDAY, JULY 3
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