Best Racetracks In Canada
If you"re like me, you love hearing your engine purr as you scream down a racetrack pushing your car to the limit. But where should you go? Where are the best tracks in Canada? Well, I"m here to help. Here are the top tracks that you need to visit.
1.Mosport International Raceway is the oldest, continuously operating, road-racing facility in the country. Opened in 1961, it has featured world championship sports car, Formula One and Indy car racing as well as some of the top stock car series. It will officially celebrate its 50th anniversary in late August when the headline event will be the annual American Le Mans Series race. Lots of good stuff is planned and organizers hope that many of the people who raced there over the years will return for a reunion.
2.Le Circuit-Mont Tremblant was opened in 1964 and, like Mosport, was home to Can-Am, Trans-Am, F1 and Indy car races. Located in the Laurentian Mountains near St. Jovitte, it is the most beautiful place in the country to hold a motor race. Unfortunately, it ran into financial difficulty several times over the years and, although it still operates, does not feature headline events any longer.
3.Atlantic Motorsport Park can be found near Shubenacadie in Nova Scotia (people love to say they"re going racing there so they can say the name Shubenacadie) and has been in operation since 1974. Once the site of races in the Canadian Driving Championship (Formula Atlantic in the 1970s), the major events today are mostly of the two-wheel variety. The final round in this year Parts Canada Superbike Championship, for example, will be held there in early August.
If you want to go professional there are many great racing schools as well, including:
Jim Russell Racing Drivers School, Mont-Tremblant, Quebec"
This school at Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant is just the place for adrenaline junkies. Students receive a well-rounded driving education, from classroom theory sessions to driving exercises in state-of-the-art Formula race cars. Catering to all levels from beginners to experienced drivers, this school has been providing lessons from racing pros since 1969. Famous grads include former Formula 1 World Champions Jacques Villeneuve and Emerson Fittipaldi.
Racing Adventures, Calgary, Alberta
With locations across North America, Racing Adventures promises progressive programs and the coolest cars. Jump into a sleek Corvette at Calgary"s Race City Speedway and pump up your driving skills (and your heart rate) for a day of high-speed tutorials. Driving coaches cover everything from car dynamics to race rules, and students are outfitted in full driving gear. All-inclusive packages aren"t cheap""a beginner course will run you $1,150. But you"ll walk off the track a whole new driver, with an official certificate of achievement to prove it.
Bridgestone Racing Academy, Toronto, Ontario
The Academy president hand-picks instructors for their risk management know-how, which could explain why this school has been injury-free for its entire 27-year history. Hop into one of their 2008 Van Diemen Formula cars for courses in "dive-bomb" passes, lapping and race-car mechanics. The site, located just east of Toronto, offers 24 track configurations for both professional and developing drivers. Pro racers who"ve trained in the Academy"s cars include Jacques Villeneuve, Danica Patrick, Alex Tagliani and IndyCar sensation James Hinchcliffe.
Racing a car is like nothing you"ve ever experience before, but make sure to do it legally. Although these tracks are regulated to keep you as safe as possible, taking lessons at one of the top schools in Canada is still a good idea before hitting the track.
1.Mosport International Raceway is the oldest, continuously operating, road-racing facility in the country. Opened in 1961, it has featured world championship sports car, Formula One and Indy car racing as well as some of the top stock car series. It will officially celebrate its 50th anniversary in late August when the headline event will be the annual American Le Mans Series race. Lots of good stuff is planned and organizers hope that many of the people who raced there over the years will return for a reunion.
2.Le Circuit-Mont Tremblant was opened in 1964 and, like Mosport, was home to Can-Am, Trans-Am, F1 and Indy car races. Located in the Laurentian Mountains near St. Jovitte, it is the most beautiful place in the country to hold a motor race. Unfortunately, it ran into financial difficulty several times over the years and, although it still operates, does not feature headline events any longer.
3.Atlantic Motorsport Park can be found near Shubenacadie in Nova Scotia (people love to say they"re going racing there so they can say the name Shubenacadie) and has been in operation since 1974. Once the site of races in the Canadian Driving Championship (Formula Atlantic in the 1970s), the major events today are mostly of the two-wheel variety. The final round in this year Parts Canada Superbike Championship, for example, will be held there in early August.
If you want to go professional there are many great racing schools as well, including:
Jim Russell Racing Drivers School, Mont-Tremblant, Quebec"
This school at Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant is just the place for adrenaline junkies. Students receive a well-rounded driving education, from classroom theory sessions to driving exercises in state-of-the-art Formula race cars. Catering to all levels from beginners to experienced drivers, this school has been providing lessons from racing pros since 1969. Famous grads include former Formula 1 World Champions Jacques Villeneuve and Emerson Fittipaldi.
Racing Adventures, Calgary, Alberta
With locations across North America, Racing Adventures promises progressive programs and the coolest cars. Jump into a sleek Corvette at Calgary"s Race City Speedway and pump up your driving skills (and your heart rate) for a day of high-speed tutorials. Driving coaches cover everything from car dynamics to race rules, and students are outfitted in full driving gear. All-inclusive packages aren"t cheap""a beginner course will run you $1,150. But you"ll walk off the track a whole new driver, with an official certificate of achievement to prove it.
Bridgestone Racing Academy, Toronto, Ontario
The Academy president hand-picks instructors for their risk management know-how, which could explain why this school has been injury-free for its entire 27-year history. Hop into one of their 2008 Van Diemen Formula cars for courses in "dive-bomb" passes, lapping and race-car mechanics. The site, located just east of Toronto, offers 24 track configurations for both professional and developing drivers. Pro racers who"ve trained in the Academy"s cars include Jacques Villeneuve, Danica Patrick, Alex Tagliani and IndyCar sensation James Hinchcliffe.
Racing a car is like nothing you"ve ever experience before, but make sure to do it legally. Although these tracks are regulated to keep you as safe as possible, taking lessons at one of the top schools in Canada is still a good idea before hitting the track.
