Posted : August 1, 2017
Our blog is chock full of great ideas for fun things to see and do in York Durham and Headwaters. We are always adding new content and updating old posts, but sometimes you might stumble upon something from our vault. If this article has inspired you to hit the road, be sure to double-check that the featured stops in this post are still welcoming visitors.
When you feel like your weekends have hit a speed bump, reinvigorate your sense of adventure by paying a visit to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Ontario where you can watch major international race events and try your hand behind the wheel at their racing academy. Who knew that a world-class racing facility was tucked in quiet Bowmanville, just under one hour east of downtown Toronto?
The multi-track facility boasts three professional-grade race tracks, including the Grand Prix Circuit (to host their major events), the Driver Development Track (a multi-purpose testing facility), and the recently renovated Karting Centre (to train the next generation of Canadian racers). Race fans can watch from the sidelines or from the deck of the new 23,000 square-foot Event Centre overlooking the Grand Prix Circuit and a panoramic view of Lake Ontario.
But with a world-class multi-track, a dedicated go kart racetrack and a racing academy, who wouldn’t want to be a part of the action? The Bridgestone Racing Academy at the Motorsport Park is an onsite racing academy with a dedicated 2.88-kilometre Driver Development Track. Regarded as one of North America’s top race schools, the Academy offers courses to a wide range of students from various skill levels and goals: First Timers, Advanced, Mechanics Courses, and Corporate Events. Anyone who is inching to pedal to metal in a safe and supervised environment is encouraged to enroll as no previous racing experience is required.
For high-performance drivers wanting to experience the thrill of the drive where legends of motorsport have raced, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park also offers track days to drive on their racing circuits in supervised lapping or driver training sessions. Track days are organized and managed by service providers (for both cars and motorcycles) and are customized based on driver needs and desires. The 3.96-kilometre racing circuit have seen the likes of motorsport legends including: Stirling Moss, Jackie Stewart, Bruce McLaren, Mario Andretti, AJ Foyt, Richard Petty, Yvon Duhamel, and Gilles Villeneuve. For a complete listing of service providers, click here.
7-10 July 2016, Bowmanville, Ontario Canada
96, BMW, M6 GT3, GTD, Bret Curtis, Jens Klingmann
©2016, Scott R LePage
LAT Photo USA
Speaking of motorsport legends, the Motorsport Park recently unveiled a new racing experience, Ron Fellows Driving Experience. The program is currently offered as a corporate team building event only, and is designed by Canadian-born, NASCAR champion racing driver Ron Fellows. The experience includes classroom instruction, a product performance presentation and actual coaching on the track with members of Ron’s high performance driving team. The track day also includes an optional “hot lap ride” driven by one of their pro drivers so you can get a front-seat experience on an adrenaline-charged ride around one of the world’s great classic road courses. Who would turn down this once-in-a-lifetime experience?
The high performance fleet includes these vehicle models:
- Corvette Z06
- Camaro
- Cadillac V-Series
7-10 July, 2016, Bowmanville, Ontario Canada
Overview of pit lane and paddock.
©2016, Richard Dole
LAT Photo USA
If trying your hand behind the wheel in a high performance car is not for you, we won’t judge and instead, we recommend kart racing at Mosport Kartways, a dedicated race track for fun to serious, high-level kart racing. The 1.5-kilometre track can be set up in multiple configurations and elevation changes to keep the experience challenging, and it includes twelve turns. The experience is currently offered for corporate groups as well as the public.
Adrenaline junkies will want to note these major racing events at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park:
- Castrol Presents the Victoria Day Speedfest (May during Victoria Day weekend)
- VARAC Vintage Grand Prix (June)
- Mobil 1 Sportscar Grand Prix (July)
- Superbike Double Header (August)
- Chevrolet Silverado 250 (September)
During the summer, guests are encouraged to pitch a tent or pull up in their RVs on the sprawling campgrounds next to the race tracks so they can experience world-class racing while enjoying the beautiful outdoors. Campers can choose locations from trackside spots, open fields or more wooded backwoods to round out their summer outdoor adventures. The Motorsport Park is also well equipped with full-service washrooms, showers and children’s playgrounds. Camping rates are available on their website.
Whether you are itching to experience the thrill as a spectator or looking for a unique camping experience this summer or want to get on the hot seat and race around world-class race tracks in a safe and supervised environment, the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park is the winner.
