Michelin CTMP Notebook

We’re Back!

The wait is over. The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and Michelin Pilot Challenge are headed back to Canada.

The series last raced in Canada in July 2019. This is a special moment for all Canadian drivers and teams, especially the 2021 GTD champions Pfaff Motorsports.

The team is taking over the top floor of the Event Centre with enough room to host 150 guests from their Canadian dealerships.

Home Game

Canadian drivers arrive at the only “home” race with lots of momentum. Robert Wickens and Mark Wilkins took the Michelin Pilot Challenge TCR class win for Hyundai last weekend at Watkins Glen while Roman De Angelis co-drove the WeatherTech Championship GTD class winning Aston Martin Vantage GT3.

Risk and Reward

Ask team and drivers what it takes to be up front at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and you will hear terms like, “confidence”, “commitment” and “risk and reward”.

With its recent resurfacing, the venerable circuit, now in its sixth decade, will likely produce lap times once considered unimaginable.

Fast and Flowing

CTMP is characterized by elevation changes, high-speed corners, and long straights. This puts a premium on the race car’s setup specifically with power, aero efficiency, and mechanical balance. High tire loads and track temperatures put Michelin tires to the test.

Long-Awaited Corvette C8.R Canadian Race Debut

Chevrolet is the title sponsor for IMSA’s big return to CTMP. This weekend is significant for the Corvette Racing team. The Chevrolet Grand Prix marks the Canadian debut of the Corvette C8.R! The track also has a long connection to Chevrolet and Corvette.

CTMP co-owner, Ron Fellows, is a former Corvette Racing driver and champion.

Sports Car Racing Growing in Canada

2021 featured the launch of the Sports Car Championship Canada and Emzone Radical Cup Canada, both presented by Michelin. SCCC features GT4 and TCR classes with several manufacturers. This season features 12 races over six race weekends in Ontario and Quebec, including two stops at CTMP.

The Last Overall Winner Was…

The overall winner at CTMP in 2019 was Oliver Jarvis for Mazda Team Joest. This season, you can watch Jarvis in the No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing Acura DPi.

Lap Records

Qualifying:
DPi: Colin Braun/1:05.452/2019
LMP3: Stevan McAleer/1:12.957/2019
GTD: Jack Hawksworth/1:15.546/2018
GS: Owen Trinkler/1:23.300/2019
TCR: Mikey Taylor/1:23.975/2019

Race:
DPi: Oliver Jarvis/1:06.093/2019
LMP3: Garett Grist/1:13.841/2019
GTD: Tristan Vautier/1:16.825/2017
GS: Greg Liefooghe/1:23.991/2019
TCR: Remo Ruscitti/1:25.709/2019

Tire Allocations

WeatherTech Championship
DPi: 10 sets – IMSA Hard
LMP3: 7 sets – Michelin Pilot Sport GT S8M/S9M
GTD Pro: 7 sets – Michelin Pilot Sport GT S9M
GTD: 7 sets – Michelin Pilot Sport GT S9M

Michelin Pilot Challenge
GS: 5 sets – Michelin Pilot Sport Sport GT S9M
TCR: 4 sets – Michelin Pilot Sport GT S9M+

Prototype Challenge
LMP3: 5 sets – Michelin Pilot Sport GT S8M/S9M