The Canadian Racing Season Begins February 7, 8, & 9, 2014 at Toronto’s International Centre
(TORONTO, ON // JANUARY 23, 2014) On February 7, 8 & 9, Canadian Tire Motorsport Parkwill return to the Canadian Motorsports Expo for the eighth consecutive year. At the show, CTMP will highlight the continuing redevelopment of the nearly 900 acre facility, and showcase its impressive 2014 calendar, which caters to virtually every discipline of road racing competition.
The CME takes place in Hall 5 of Toronto’s International Centre, adjacent to Toronto’s Pearson International Airport.
The big news emerging from the Bowmanville, Ontario-area venue is of the new track on the west end of the property. The 1.8-mile (2.88 km), 20-turn circuit expands on the existing Driver Development Centre and incorporates portions of the former half-mile speedway. With the asphalt base already in place, construction is now focused on completing the new event centre, one that will contain classrooms, race control and more.
“The new road course will have car racing, motorcycle racing, driving schools, motorcycle schools, car clubs, manufacturer events, lapping days and many other activities,” said President and General Manager Myles Brandt. “The new track will continue to be home to the Bridgestone Racing Academy.”
As work continues on the new track, the past efforts of Canadian Tire Motorsport Park co-owners Carlo Fidani and Ron Fellows are being recognized, as the CTMP facility was one of four tracks – and the only one in North America – nominated for voting consideration as the ‘Best Motorsports Facility in the World’ at Germany’s Professional Motorsports World Expo.
Even with two tracks at his disposal, Brandt acknowledges that the schedules for both venues are “pretty much filled,” and he is justifiably proud of the 2014 professional and major events calendar that exemplifies the stature of the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park facility in the North American racing market.
“This year’s calendar is a very well rounded package; we offer something of interest for every road racing fan,” Brandt continued. “The debut of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2013 was a huge success, and we’re hoping to build on that when they come back this year. And we’re thrilled to have secured a date on the TUDOR United SportsCar Series schedule; I think that speaks to the great history we have developed over the past 50-plus years in North American sports car racing.”
While these two events will be perceived as season highlights, the 2014 Canadian Tire Motorsport Park schedule also features visits from SCCA Trans-Am, Pirelli World Challenge (Touring & B-Spec), Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America plus many more.
Canadian-based divisions such as the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, Canadian Touring Car Championship, Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Michelin, Formula 1600 Super Series and the Mopar Canadian Superbike Championship will also be in action. Never forgotten are the grassroots competitors, with multiple dates reserved for CASC-Ontario competitors and the highly anticipated Canadian Historic Grand Prix.
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park has been recognized as the ‘Home of Canadian Motorsports’ since 1961, with the history of this world-renowned circuit continually growing. Fans can get an insider’s look at the next chapter by visiting their display at the 2014 Canadian Motorsports Expo.
“This is where our motorsport season starts,” concludes Brandt. “The timing works for us, everything will be finalized and we’ll be ready to go.”
ABOUT CANADIAN TIRE MOTORSPORT PARK: Hosting its first race in 1961, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, formerly known as Mosport International Raceway, is the only circuit in Canada, and only one of two in North America (the other is New York State’s Watkins Glen) to have hosted Formula One, IndyCar, World Sports Cars, SCCA Trans-Am and Formula Atlantic Series, as well as World Superbikes.
Located less than an hour east of Toronto, the CTMP facility is 20 kilometers north of the Town of Clarington (Bowmanville) and almost the same distance southwest of the City of Peterborough. Compete details for directions, ticket information and scheduling can be found on their website,www.canadiantiremotorsportpark.com, or by calling, toll-free (800) 866- 1072.
ABOUT THE CME: The 8th Annual Canadian Motorsports Expo Powered by Inside Track Motorsport News takes place February 7, 8 & 9, 2014 at Toronto’s International Centre, adjacent to Pearson International Airport. The show features motorsport content geared to racers, fans and automotive enthusiasts. NASCAR Sprint Cup racer Ryan Newman will be at the CME on Saturday, February 8. For information about the show, including news, exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities, call (416) 962-7223, or email info@CanadianMotorsportsExpo.com. The CME’s website is located atwww.CanadianMotorsportsExpo.com.
