History
editIn 1961 the first international professional sportscar races at Mosport Park took place with the inaugural Players 200 in June won by Stirling Moss and the first Canadian Grand Prix won by Peter Ryan in September as part of the Canadian Sportscar Championship.[1][2][3] In 1966 the Grand Prix became part of the inaugural Can-Am Series season before becoming a Formula One Grand Prix in 1967.[4] The Mosport Can-Am races continued to be part of the Can-Am series through to its demise in 1986 with the track hosting more Can-Am races than any other facility.
In 1975 the International Motor Sports Association sportscars visited the track for the first time when it’s Camel GT Challenge raced during the Labatt's Blue 5000 Weekend sharing the weekend schedule with the SCCA/USAC Formula 5000 Championship.[5][6] The inaugural 100 mile IMSA race was won by Hurley Haywood in a Porsche Carrera.[7]
The race was included as part of the World Sports Car Championship on six occasions, for the first time in 1976 and for the final time as the 1985 Mosport 1000 which also marked the final FIA World Championship event to be held at the facility.
From 1989 through 1992, IMSA returned to headline GT only races in May and June for their GTO and GTU classes. With the launch of the new World Sports Cars category in 1995, prototypes returned to the track for the first time in a decade for the Chrysler Mosport 500.
In August of 1999, the American Le Mans Series made its first appearance at the track as the new headline IMSA sanctioned series for the renamed Grand Prix of Mosport weekend.[8] Mosport was one of four tracks that would appear on the American Le Mans Series schedule every year for the next fifteen years of the series existence.[9]
In 2014 the Grand Prix continued as part of the new IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship following the merger of the American Le Mans Series and the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series.[10][11]
In 2020 and 2021 the Grand Prix was not held for the first time in a quarter of a century due to the Covid-19 pandemic.[12][13]
| class="col-break col-break-2" |
Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 392: The value "43.I" provided for latitude is not valid.
|}
| Canada's Longest Running Dirt Track | |
|---|---|
| Location | 2371 Merrittville Highway Thorold, Ontario Canada |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (UTC-4 DST) |
| Coordinates | 43°04′39″N 79°15′19″W / 43.0774°N 79.2553°W |
| Owner | Don Spiece |
| Operator | Don Spiece |
| Opened | July 1, 1952 |
| Major events | Super DIRTcar Series World of Outlaws Late Model Series Action Sprint Tour Southern Ontario Sprints Empire Super Sprints Patriot Sprint Tour |
| D-Shaped Oval | |
| Surface | Clay |
| Length | 3/8 miles (0.604 km) |
Merrittville Speedway is a 3/8 mile dirt short track motor racing oval, located 20 minutes west of Niagara Falls, in Thorold, Ontario, Canada.[14] The track hosts a weekly Saturday night program that runs from April to September each year and features stock car, sprint car and modifieds races.[15]
History
editThe speedway is known as the oldest operating race track in Canada as it has been in continuous operation since it opened on July 1, 1952.[16][17]
New ownership took over the track in 2017 and it will be celebrating its seventieth anniversary in 2021.[18][19]
Speedway classes
editThe tracks weekly racing program features six classes of racing:[20]
- 358 Modifieds
- Sportsman
- Stocks
- 4 Cylinders
- Modified Lites
- V6
The track has also regularly featured touring series including the Super DIRTcar Series, World of Outlaws Late Model Series, UMP Modifieds, DIRTcar Sportsman Series, Action Sprint Tour, Southern Ontario Sprints, Empire Super Sprints and the Patriot Sprint Tour.[21]
The track also hosts a weekly karting series on Tuesday nights.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Makse, Brian. "Tracing the colorful, surprising history of Canadian Tire Motorsport Park". IMSA.com. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Grand Prix - Canada's bid for big-time auto racing". Maclean’s Magazine. March 24, 1962. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
- ^ Henry, Alan (June 6, 2014). "McLaren at Mosport: fast and furious". McLaren.com. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Fagnan, René (August 27, 2016). "Jack Brabham won the first Canadian GP on this day in 1967". Motorsport.com. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Labatt's Blue races set for weekend" (PDF). Whitby Free Press. June 4, 1975. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
- ^ Brockington, Robert J. (2001). Aykroyd, Steve; Jones, Neal (eds.). Mosport 1961-2001: Four Decades of Racing. Mosport International Raceway. pp. 52 & 53.
- ^ Donnelly, Jim (June 2011). "Invading the North - IMSA's GTs charge into Mosport. Wild, eh?". Hemmings Sports and Exotics. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "1999 Mosport Park ALMS". Motorsport Magazine. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Lenssen, Jordan (July 18, 2013). "American Le Mans Series at Mosport". PRN Motorsport Magazine. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Malloy, Gerry (September 22, 2013). "2014 United SportsCar Championship coming to Canada". Autofile.ca. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
- ^ Pruett, Marshall (September 22, 2013). "The 2014 United SportsCar Championship schedule is about compromises". Road and Track. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
- ^ "CTMP Announces Cancellation Of IMSA Mobil 1 SportsCar Grand Prix". RaceCanada.ca. May 15, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
- ^ Malsher-Lopez, David (Apr 7, 2021). "Watkins Glen gains extra IMSA race, Canadian round canceled". Motorsport.com. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
- ^ Franke, Bernd (April 14, 2020). "Merrittville Speedway waiting for Ontario government to lift restrictions". Niagara Falls Review. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Franke, Bernd (February 13, 2021). "Merrittville wants to help race teams in top division cut fuel costs". The St. Catharines Standard. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Kavanaugh, Rick (August 17, 2018). "67 seasons of speed in Pelham". The Voice of Pelham. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Miller, Tim (June 5, 2014). "Motorsport: Dirt racing remains an Ontario fixture". Wheels.ca. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Sully, Dave (April 25, 2017). "New Owner/Promoter Don Spiece Excited About Merrittville Speedway's Future". Area Auto Racing News. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Miller, Tim (February 17, 2021). "Almost 120 years of racing around Ontario". The Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Petty, Steve (March 19, 2020). "Melissa Stevens named race director at Merrittville Speedway". Inside Track Motorsport News. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Franke, Bernd (February 25, 2016). "Merrittville Speedway hosting 25 race programs this season". Niagara Falls Review. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
External links
edit{{Super DIRTcar Series
Support Series
edit| Year | Race Name | GS Winning Car | ST Winning Team | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS Winning Drivers | ST Winning Drivers | |||
| 2014 | Mobil 1 Sportscar Grand Prix Presented by Hawk Performance |
Chevrolet Camaro Z/28.R | Porsche Cayman | |
 Andy Lally Matt Bell
|
 Remo Ruscitti Adam Isman
| |||
| 2015 | ||||
| 2016 | ||||
| 2017 | Canadian Tire Motorsport Park 120 | #57 Chevrolet Camaro GT4.R
|
#56 Porsche Cayman
| |
Matt Bell Robin Liddell
|
Eric Foss Jeff Mosing
| |||
| GS Winning Car | TCR Winning Car | ST Winning Team | ||
| GS Winning Drivers | TCR Winning Drivers | ST Winning Drivers | ||
| 2018 | Canadian Tire Motorsport Park 120 | No. 60 KohR Motorsports
|
No. 77 Compass Racing
|
No. 81 BimmerWorld Racing
|
| Kyle Marcelli Nate Stacy
|
Britt Casey Jr. Tom Long
|
Nick Galante Devin Jones
| ||
| GS Winning Car | TCR Winning Car | |||
| GS Winning Drivers | TCR Winning Drivers | |||
| 2019 | Canadian Tire Motorsport Park 120 | No. 71 Rebel Rock Racing
|
No. 17 JDC-Miller MotorSports
| |
| Frank DePew Robin Liddell
|
Britt Casey Jr. Mikey Taylor
|
Motorsports
editHaving originated in 1980 at Exhibition Stadium, the Toronto Supercross moved to the Rogers Centre upon its opening in 1989.[1] The event was held annually through 1996 before going on hiatus.[2] It was revived as a part of the FIM World Supercross GP series in 2004 and joined the AMA Supercross Championship after the two series fully merged in 2008.[3] The event ran until 2014 and returned for 2016 and 2017.[4][5]
On January 16, 1993 the stadium hosted the Skydome Grand Prix featuring the USAC National Midget Car Series.[6][7] The night of racing featured NASCAR stars John Andretti, Kenny Irwin Jr., Tony Stewart and Indianapolis 500 winner Tom Sneva racing on a 1/6 mile oval track and was broadcast across Canada on TSN.[8][9]
The Monster Jam monster truck tour hosts an annual event in the month of January.
North American Street circuit races and locations
editThe following is a list of North American Street circuit races:
Old Toronto, flag, coat of arms and logo
University of Toronto Varsity Blues (1877), Upper Canada College Blues (1829), St. Michael's College Majors and Kerry Blues (1906), Ryerson University Rams (1948) and George Brown College Huskies (1967).
Argonauts (Football) (1873), Maple Leafs (AAA Baseball) (1896), Marlboros (Hockey) (1903), Blueshirts (Hockey) (1911), Maple Leafs (NHL) (1917), Huskies (NBA) (1946), Maple Leafs (Lacrosse) (1966), Falcons (Soccer) (1967), Blizzard (Soccer) (1971), Blue Jays (MLB) (1977) and the Rock (Lacrosse) (1999).
Report
editRace results
edit
| Game | Date | Champion | Score | Runner Up
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9th | November 24, 1973 | Saint Mary's Huskies | 14–6 | McGill Redmen |
| 10th | November 22, 1974 | Western Ontario Mustangs | 19–15 | Toronto Varsity Blues |
| 11th | November 21, 1975 | Ottawa Gee-Gees | 14–9 | Calgary Dinos |
Attendance
edit1997 Toronto 164,406 [11]
1999 Toronto 72,000 page 146 [12] Vancouver
| Year | Race day | Weekend | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 155,937 | [13] | |
| 2002 | 161,728 | [14] | |
| 2003 | 162,271 | [15] | |
| 2004 | 63,000 | 158,420 | [16] |
| 2005 | [17] | ||
| 2006]] | [18] |
Champ Car race could be last here Montreal Gazette Randy Phillips August 18, 2006
https://www.pressreader.com/canada/montreal-gazette/20060818/282269545870539
- ^ Pomeroy, Chris. "The Toronto Supercross Returns For 2016". Motocross Performance Magazine. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ McGil, Mike (May 2017). "Dome Sweet Dome". Motocross Performance Magazine. pp. 50–56. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "AMA Supercross And FIM World Supercross GP Consolidate Into Single Championship". Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology. December 28, 2007. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ 2015 AMA Supercross media guide Archived October 13, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "AMA Supercross 2019 Series Guide - Wins by City: Toronto, ON, Canada - Rogers Centre" (PDF). amasupercross.com. p. 58. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "USAC National Midget:1993-01". The Third Turn.
{{cite web}}:|archive-date=requires|archive-url=(help)CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ @USACNation (January 2, 2019). "USAC National Midgets haven't raced internationally since this 1993 stop at the SkyDome in Toronto, home of Major League Baseball's Blue Jays. On this night indoors, however, Kenny Irwin Jr. made it his winter home" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Murray, Richie (February 26, 2020). "USAC's indoor history goes back to the beginning". usacracing.com. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "54 Teams entered in Saturday's USAC race here". Harrisburg Register. March 15, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Race Unofficial Results by Class" (PDF). International Motor Sports Association. July 10, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- ^ Shaw, Jeremy, ed. (1997). Autocourse CART World Series Official Yearbook 1997-98. Richmond, Surrey, England: Hazelton Publishing Ltd. p. 165. ISBN 1-874557-62-4.
- ^ Shaw, Jeremy, ed. (1999). Autocourse CART Official Champ Car Yearbook 1999-2000. Richmond, Surrey, England: Hazelton Publishing Ltd. p. 146. ISBN 1-874557-44-6.
- ^ Kerr, Grant (September 4, 2000). "Vancouver Molson Indy". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Shaw, Jeremy, ed. (2002). Autocourse CART Official Champ Car Yearbook 2002-2003. Richmond, Surrey, England: Hazelton Publishing Ltd. p. 115. ISBN 1-903135-17-6.
- ^ Shaw, Jeremy, ed. (2004). Autocourse Official Champ Car Yearbook 2003-2004. London, England: Hazelton Publishing Ltd. p. 127. ISBN 1-903135-33-8.
- ^ Shaw, Jeremy, ed. (2004). Autocourse Official Champ Car Yearbook 2004-2005. Silverstone, Northants, United Kingdom: Crash Media Group. pp. 110–113. ISBN 1-903135-33-8.
- ^ Shaw, Jeremy, ed. (2005). Autocourse Official Champ Car Yearbook 2005-2006. Silverstone, Northants, United Kingdom: Crash Media Group Ltd. p. 133. ISBN 1-905334-05-2.
- ^ "NASCAR confirms Montreal event". cbc.ca. October 2, 2006. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)