Michelin IMSA Insider: Fast Speeds Around CTMP

With an incredible history, endless challenges, and loyal fans, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park is a racing treasure. It is also a rarity in modern racing, a very fast, old school risk vs. reward circuit.

This hilly, 2.459-mile circuit is the shortest of the five fastest circuits in the IMSA WeatherTech Championship and has historically produced a slightly lower peak speed than longer circuits like Daytona, Road America, and Watkins Glen.

Yet, CTMP boasts the highest average lap speed, a stunning 137.472 mph, set last year in qualifying by Meyer Shank Acura’s Tom Blomqvist.

To beat that record, the new hybrid IMSA GTP cars will need to work to deliver lap times in a different way, due to the differences between the higher downforce DPi cars and the much heavier, but more powerful new hybrid GTP cars.

According to Michelin engineers and data analysts, the peak top speed at CTMP in 2022 was 182 mph.

They expect that the reduced downforce and additional 100 to 160 kg (220-350 pounds) of weight will affect GTP cornering more than top speed.

The reduction in drag and increase from 600 horsepower in 2022 to 670-700 indicative horsepower for the GTPs may increase peak speed by up to 3-5 miles per hour.