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Circuit Mont-Tremblant

Coordinates: 46°11′15.74″N 74°36′35.77″W / 46.1877056°N 74.6099361°W / 46.1877056; -74.6099361
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Circuit Mont-Tremblant

Circuit Mont-Tremblant
Location1281 Chemin du Village
Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada
Time zoneUTC-05:00 (UTC-04:00 DST)
Coordinates46°11′15.74″N 74°36′35.77″W / 46.1877056°N 74.6099361°W / 46.1877056; -74.6099361
Owner11938053 Canada Inc. (2022–present)
Opened3 August 1964; 60 years ago (1964-08-03)
Former namesCircuit Mont-Tremblant-St-Jovite
Major eventsFormer:
Formula One
Canadian Grand Prix (1968, 1970)
Can-Am
Mont-Tremblant Can-Am
(1966, 1969–1971, 1977–1978)
Trans-Am
Trois Heures du Circuit
(1968–1971, 1977–1978)
USAC Championship Car
Saint-Jovite 200
(1967–1968)
Rolex Sports Car Series
6 Hours of Mont-Tremblant
(2002–2005)
Champ Car World Series
Mont-Tremblant Champ Car Grand Prix (2007)
Canadian Superbike Championship (2003–2004, 2006–2007, 2012–2013)
Canadian Touring Car Championship (2012–2013)
Road Course (2004–present)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length2.621 miles (4.218 km)
Turns17
Race lap record1:17.327 (France Sébastien Bourdais, Panoz DP01, 2007, Champ Car)
North Course (2002–present)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length1.529 miles (2.460 km)
Turns12
Race lap record1:21.691 (Canada Jordan Szoke, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, 2008, SBK)
South Course (2002–present)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length1.187 miles (1.910 km)
Turns7
Road Course (1965–2002)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length2.650 miles (4.265 km)
Turns15
Race lap record1:24.201 (Switzerland Fredy Lienhard, Jr., Dallara SP1, 2002, LMP900)
Original North Road Course (1964–2002)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length1.560 miles (2.510 km)
Turns12
Race lap record1:09.900 (United States Jim Hall, Chaparral 2A, 1965, Group 4)

Circuit Mont-Tremblant is a 4.218 km (2.621 mi) race circuit located approximately 130 km (81 mi) north of Montreal, Quebec, in the city of Mont-Tremblant, Canada. It is the second-oldest existing race track in Canada, and was originally known as Circuit Mont-Tremblant-St-Jovite until it was renamed in the 1970s. Set in the shadow of the Mont-Tremblant ski hill, the twisting fifteen-corner track uses the natural topography and elevation of the land.

History

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The idea was conceived by local business and hoteliers to boost tourism during the slower spring and summer periods to the levels they enjoyed during winter’s peak ski season.

Legendary race driver Bruce McLaren is credited[by whom?] as a contributor to the design of the track which was completed in two sections; the original 2.510 km (1.560 mi) circuit was opened in 1964 and was extended to 4.265 km (2.650 mi) the following year.

The Control Tower and start-finish straight, looking west against the flow of the circuit, towards the Namerow corner.

The 1960s – 1970s

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The first race was held August 3, 1964 on the original twelve-turn 2.510 km (1.560 mi) circuit and won by Ludwig Heimrath driving a Cooper-Ford. The completion of the bridge, media/officials complex and the pit stalls were ready just prior to the next race that September featuring sports cars and prototypes. Pedro Rodríguez driving Luigi Chinetti’s (N.A.R.T.) Ferrari 330 P would go on to win that race.

The Player’s Quebec Sports Car race in September 1965 would be the first event on the newly-expanded 4.265 km (2.650 mi) track and was won by John Surtees driving a Lola T-70.

On September 11, 1966 the track debuted the inaugural Canadian-American (Can-Am) Challenge Cup Series Race. John Surtees would win this event, followed by Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon.

The following summer, on 6 August 1967, Mario Andretti would win both races of the twin 100-mile double header U.S.A.C. Indy Car event ahead of A.J. Foyt. A year later, Andretti would the repeat the same achievement, this time beating out Bobby Unser.

Circuit Mont-Tremblant hosted the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix on two occasions, in 1968 and 1970. Jochen Rindt started the 1968 race from pole position, but Denny Hulme went on to win. The second race marked the debut of the Tyrrell Racing team as a constructor. Jackie Stewart set the pole time and a new track record in the new Tyrrell 001. The Ferraris of Jacky Ickx and Clay Regazzoni would finish 1st and 2nd ahead of Chris Amon in 3rd.

Throughout the late 1960’s and 70’s many of North America’s other top tier race championships such as Can-Am, Trans-Am, Formula 5000 and Formula Atlantic made their championship stops to the track. Many now famous drivers such as Denny Hulme, Bruce McLaren, Dan Gurney, Jackie Stewart, Bobby Rahal, Chris Amon, Mark Donohue, Roger Penske, Parnelli Jones, Al and Bobby Unser, Gordon Johncock, Alan Jones, Peter Revson, John Cannon, Elliot Forbes-Robinson, George Follmer and Gilles Villeneuve all competed at Circuit Mont-Tremblant during these years.

The 1980s – 1990s

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Strong National Series such as the Rothmans Porsche (Turbo) Cup, the Players GM Challenge Series, the Honda-Michelin Series, Export A Formula 2000 and the Canadian Formula 1600 series would be predominant throughout the mid-1980s and 1990s, giving rise to some of Canada's most prominent and recognized racing drivers, including Paul Tracy, Scott Goodyear, Ron Fellows, Greg Moore, Claude Bourbonnais, Richard Spenard, Patrick Carpentier and Alex Tagliani.

The Jim Russell Racing School

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The circuit is also home to the well-known Jim Russell Racing Driver School (est. 1969) which is notable for graduating Gilles Villeneuve, Jacques Villeneuve, and more recently, F1 drivers Lance Stroll and Nicholas Latifi.

A CIK-FIA rated karting facility was added in 2010 to complement the Jim Russell Racing School's development of young drivers, and has played host to the Canadian nationals.

The 2000s – present

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New ownership has concentrated on updating the facility to improved FIA standards by repaving and widening the track, expanding the pit lane, and creating greater run-off areas, while attempting to preserve the character of the original layout. These updates have permitted the return of racing series like Grand Am (formerly Can-Am) and Indy car along with Superbikes and Historic Racing. The historic reputation of the race track and Mont-Tremblant’s appeal as a tourist destination keeps the track in constant demand amongst driving clubs, corporate events and major automotive manufacturers for car launches and driving programs such as Ferrari’s Corso Pilota, Lamborghini, Porsche, Audi, McLaren, Volvo, and BMW among others. On July 21, 2022 the track complex was purchased by 11938053 Canada Inc.,[1] a company owned by Montreal businessman Gad Bitton of Holand Automotive Group.[2]

Events

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Current
  • May: VARAC Vintage Racing Spring Classic
  • July: VARAC Vintage Racing Summer Classic
  • September: VARAC Vintage Racing Fall Classic, Nissan Sentra Cup
Former

Former series and major race winners

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FIA Formula One World Championship

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Main article: Canadian Grand Prix
Year Race Driver Constructor Report
1968 Player's Canadian Grand Prix New Zealand Denny Hulme McLaren-Ford Report
1970 Belgium Jacky Ickx Ferrari Report

Champ Car World Series

[edit]
Main article: Mont-Tremblant Champ Car Grand Prix
Year Race Driver Team Chassis Engine Report
2007 Mont-Tremblant Champ Car Grand Prix Netherlands Robert Doornbos Minardi Team USA Panoz DP01 Cosworth Report

USAC Championship Car (IndyCar)

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Year Race Driver Team Chassis Engine
1967 Labatt Indy United States Mario Andretti Dean Racing Enterprises Brawner Hawk Ford
1968 Saint-Jovite 200 United States Mario Andretti Andretti Racing Enterprises Brawner Hawk Ford

SCCA Can-Am Series

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Year Date Race Driver Team
1966 Sept 11 Player's 200 United Kingdom John Surtees United Kingdom #3 Team Surtees
1969 June 15 Labatt's 50 New Zealand Denny Hulme United Kingdom #5 McLaren Cars
1970 June 28 Mont-Tremblant 50 United States Dan Gurney United Kingdom #48 Bruce McLaren Motor Racing
1971 June 27 Mont-Tremblant 50 United Kingdom Jackie Stewart United States #1 Carl Haas Racing
1977 June 12 United States Tom Klausler United States Schkee Cars
1978 June 25 United States George Follmer United States U.S. Racing

SCCA Trans-Am Series

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Year Date Race Drivers Car Distance/Duration
1968 July 21 Les Trois Heures du Circuit United States Mark Donohue Chevrolet Camaro 3 Hours / 96 Laps
254.4 mi (409.4 km) 		[3]
1969 Aug 3 Les Trois Heures du Circuit United States Mark Donohue Chevrolet Camaro 3 Hours / 97 Laps
257 mi (414 km) 		[4]
1970 Aug 2 Le Circuit Trans-Am United States Mark Donohue AMC Javelin 70 Laps
185.5 mi (298.5 km) 		[5]
1970 Aug 2 Le Circuit Trans-Am United States Mark Donohue AMC Javelin 70 Laps
185.5 mi (298.5 km) 		[5]
1971 Aug 1 Player's Quebec Trans-Am United States Mark Donohue AMC Javelin 70 Laps
185.5 mi (298.5 km) 		[6]
1977 Sept 11 Molson Trans-Am United States Peter Gregg Porsche 934 38 Laps
100.7 mi (162.1 km) 		[7]
1978 June 25 Molson Trans-Am United States Monte Shelton Porsche 935 38 Laps
100.7 mi (162.1 km) 		[8]

SCCA United States Road Racing Championship

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Year Date Race Over 2.0 Winning Driver Over 2.0 Winning Team Under 2.0 Winning Driver Under 2.0 Winning Team
1968 June 2 Championnat Nord-Americain United States Mark Donohue #6 Roger Penske Racing Canada Horst Kroll #37 Altona Motors [9]

SCCA Formula 5000

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Year Date Race Driver Chassis Engine
1967 Sept 17 St Jovite Grand Prix United States Fred Ashplant Brabham BT21 Ford [10]
1969 Sept 7 Le Circuit Continental United Kingdom David Hobbs Surtees TS5 Chevrolet [11]
1970 Aug 1 Le Circuit Continental United States George Follmer Lotus 70 Ford [12]

Atlantic Championship

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Year Date Driver
1975 July 6 United States Elliott Forbes-Robinson [13]
1976 July 11 Canada Gilles Villeneuve [14]
2007 July 1 France Franck Perera [15]
2008 June 29 Netherlands Junior Strous [16]

Grand American Road Racing Championship

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Year Date Race Driver Team Chassis Engine
2002 Sept 15 6 Heures du Circuit Mont-Tremblant Belgium Didier Theys
Switzerland Fredy Lienhard Sr.
Switzerland Fredy Lienhard Jr. 		United States #27 Doran Lista Racing Dallara LMP Judd [17]
2003 Sept 21 United States David Donohue
United States Mike Borkowski
GermanySascha Maassen 		United States #58 Brumos Racing Fabcar FDSC/03 Porsche [18]
2004 May 23 United States Scott Pruett
Italy Max Papis 		United States #01 CompUSA Chip Ganassi with Felix Sabates Riley MkXI Lexus [19]
2005 May 21 Venezuela Milka Duno
United Kingdom Andy Wallace
Netherlands Jan Lammers 		United States #2 CITGO Howard-Boss Motorsports Crawford DP03 Pontiac [20]

[21]

Canadian Superbike Championship

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Year Date Driver Motorcycle
2003 August 17 United States Tom Kipp Kawasaki ZX-7RR [22]
2004 August 22 Canada Jordan Szoke Honda CBR1000RR [23]
2006 June 4 Canada Jordan Szoke Kawasaki ZX-10RR [24]
2007 June 3 Canada Jordan Szoke Kawasaki ZX-10RR [25]
2012 August 12 Canada Jordan Szoke BMW S1000RR [26]
2013 August 25 Canada Jordan Szoke BMW S1000RR [27]

Lap records

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As of September 2019, the fastest official race lap records at Circuit Mont-Tremblant (St. Jovite) are listed as:

Category Time Driver Vehicle Event
Road Course: 4.218 km (2004–present)[28]
Champ Car 1:17.327 Sébastien Bourdais Panoz DP01 Champ Car Mont-Tremblant 07
Formula Atlantic 1:21.157[29] Carl Skerlong Swift 016.a 2007 Mont-Tremblant Formula Atlantic round
Daytona Prototype 1:29.308[30] Max Angelelli Riley MkXI 2004 6 Hours of Mont-Tremblant
GT1 (GTS) 1:31.856[31] Tommy Riggins Ford Mustang 2003 6 Hours of Mont-Tremblant
GT 1:35.910[31] Cort Wagner [fr] Ferrari 360 Modena GT 2003 6 Hours of Mont-Tremblant
Porsche Carrera Cup 1:36.610[32] Parker Thompson Porsche 911 (991 II) GT3 Cup 2019 Mont-Tremblant Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge round
Superbike 1:39.711[33] Jordan Szoke BMW S1000RR 2013 Mont-Tremblant CSBK round
Supersport 1:42.080[34] Francis Martin Suzuki GSX-R600 2007 Mont-Tremblant CSBK round
SGS 1:42.301[30] Randy Pobst Porsche 911 (996) GT3 Cup 2004 6 Hours of Mont-Tremblant
F1600 1:43.418[35] Michel Bonnet Vector MG95 2011 Mont-Tremblant Canadian F1600 round
ST 1:46.847[36] Mathieu Audette Acura RSX Type S 2013 Mont-Tremblant CTCC round
North Road Course: 2.460 km (2004–present)[28]
Superbike 1:21.691[37] Jordan Szoke Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R 2008 Mont-Tremblant CSBK round
Supersport 1:23.482[38] Chris Peris Suzuki GSX-R600 2008 Mont-Tremblant CSBK round
Road Course: 4.260 km (1965–2002)[28]
LMP900 1:24.201[39] Fredy Lienhard, Jr. Dallara SP1 2002 6 Hours of Mont-Tremblant
DP 1:31.176[31] Terry Borcheller Doran JE4 2003 6 Hours of Mont-Tremblant
LMP675 1:31.803[39] Andy Lally Picchio D-USA-BMW 2002 6 Hours of Mont-Tremblant
F1 1:32.200 Clay Regazzoni Ferrari 312B 1970 Canadian Grand Prix
Can-Am 1:33.400[40] Alan Jones Lola T333CS 1978 Mont-Tremblant Can-Am round
Formula Atlantic 1:35.033[41] Gilles Villeneuve March 76B 1976 Mont-Tremblant Formula Atlantic round
American GT 1:35.233[39] Rob Morgan Chevrolet Corvette 2002 6 Hours of Mont-Tremblant
GT 1:35.975[39] Bill Auberlen Ferrari 360 Modena GT 2002 6 Hours of Mont-Tremblant
Formula 5000 1:39.000[42] George Follmer Lotus 70 1970 Mont-Tremblant F5000 round
Trans-Am 1:41.513[43] Ludwig Heimrath Porsche 934/5 1977 Mont-Tremblant Trans-Am round
Group 7 1:44.900[44] Bruce McLaren McLaren-Elva Mk.IIB Chevrolet 1966 Labatt 50
Group 4 1:46.200[45] John Surtees Lola T70 Mk.2 1965 Player's Québec Mont-Tremblant
Porsche Carrera Cup 1:46.932[39] Michael Levitas Porsche 911 (996) GT3 Cup 2002 6 Hours of Mont-Tremblant
Group 2 1:52.100[46] Sam Posey Chevrolet Camaro 1968 Mont-Tremblant 3 Hours
Group 3 1:56.700[47] Jean-Paul Ostiguy AC Cobra 1967 St. Jean 67, U.S.A.M. Mont-Tremblant
Original North Road Course: 2.510 km (1964–2002)[28]
Group 4 1:09.900[48] Jim Hall Chaparral 2A 1965 La Course Labatt 50
Prototype 1:16.600[49] Pedro Rodríguez[a]
Ludwig Heimrath[a]		 Ferrari 275 P[a]
Cooper T61[a]		 1964 Player's Québec Trophy
Formula Junior 1:20.800[50][51] Walt Mackay[b]
Norm Evenden[b]		 Lotus 18[b]
Cooper-Chevrolet[b]		 1964 Regional Mont-Tremblant (Invitational)[b]
1964 Regional Mont-Tremblant (Trophy)[b]
Group 3 1:21.700[52] Jean Ouellet AC Cobra 1964 Regional Mont-Tremblant (Main)

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d Both drivers took the same lap time in the same race independently.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Both drivers took the same lap time in different races independently.

References

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  1. ^ Brasseur, Philippe. "Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant change de propriétaire !". www.poleposition.ca (in French). Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  2. ^ "Montreal-based Dealership Group Acquires Circuit Mont-Tremblant". finance.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  3. ^ "1968 Trans-Am Box Scores" (PDF). SCCA Archives. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
  4. ^ "1969 Trans-Am Box Scores" (PDF). SCCA Archives. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
  5. ^ a b "1970 Trans-Am Box Scores" (PDF). SCCA Archives. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2013-05-04.
  6. ^ "1971 Trans-Am Box Scores" (PDF). SCCA Archives. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-06-03. Retrieved 2013-05-04.
  7. ^ "1977 Trans-Am Box Scores" (PDF). SCCA Archives. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-07-16. Retrieved 2013-05-04.
  8. ^ "1978 Trans-Am Box Scores" (PDF). SCCA Archives. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-04-24. Retrieved 2013-05-04.
  9. ^ "SCCA US Road Racing Championship race". ultimateracinghistory.com. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  10. ^ "St Jovite Grand Prix". oldracingcars.com. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  11. ^ "Le Circuit Continental". oldracingcars.com. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  12. ^ "Le Circuit Continental". oldracingcars.com. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  13. ^ "1975 CASC Player's Challenge Series". champcarstats.com. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  14. ^ "1976 CASC Player's Challenge Series". champcarstats.com. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  15. ^ "2007 Cooper Tires Presents the Champ Car Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda". champcarstats.com. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  16. ^ "2008 Cooper Tires Presents the Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda". champcarstats.com. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  17. ^ "6 h Mont Tremblant". World Sports Racing Prototypes. Archived from the original on 2008-10-12. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  18. ^ "6 h Mont Tremblant". World Sports Racing Prototypes. Archived from the original on 2008-10-12. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  19. ^ "6 h Mont Tremblant". World Sports Racing Prototypes. Archived from the original on 2008-10-12. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  20. ^ "6 h Mont Tremblant". World Sports Racing Prototypes. Archived from the original on 2008-10-12. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  21. ^ "Circuit Mont-Tremblant". Ultimate Racing History. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  22. ^ "CSBK - August 17, 2003 - Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant - Superbike Race Results". csbk.ca. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  23. ^ "CSBK - August 22, 2004 - Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant - Superbike Race Results". csbk.ca. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  24. ^ "CSBK - June 4, 2006 - Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant - Superbike Race Results". csbk.ca. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  25. ^ "CSBK - June 3, 2007 - Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant - Superbike Race Results". csbk.ca. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  26. ^ "CSBK - 2012 Mopar Pro Superbike Final Point Standings". csbk.ca. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  27. ^ "CSBK - 2013, RD6, Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant - Pro Superbike Race Results". csbk.ca. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  28. ^ a b c d "Mont-Tremblant - Racingcircuits". RacingCircuits.info. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  29. ^ "2007 Formula Atlantic Mont Tremblant". 1 July 2007. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  30. ^ a b "Mont-Tremblant 6 Hours 2004". 23 May 2004. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  31. ^ a b c "Mont-Tremblant 6 Hours 2003". 21 September 2003. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  32. ^ "2019 The Fall Classic - Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Yokohama - Race 2 Official Results (45 Minutes)" (PDF). International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). 1 October 2019. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  33. ^ "Szoke Wraps Up Record Ninth Canadian Superbike Championship With Race Victory At Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant". 26 August 2013. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  34. ^ "June 3, 2007 - Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant - Pro 600 Sport Bike Race Results". 3 June 2007. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  35. ^ "Classique d'été #2 - Points obtenus" (PDF). 25 July 2011. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  36. ^ "2013 Mont Tremblant Summer Classic - Round 7 Race (30 min)". 27 July 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  37. ^ "July 19, 2008 - Mosport International Raceway - Superbike Race 1 Results". 19 July 2008. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  38. ^ "July 19, 2008 - Mosport International Raceway - Pro 600 Sport Bike Race 1 Results". 19 July 2008. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  39. ^ a b c d e "Mont-Tremblant 6 Hours 2002". 15 September 2002. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  40. ^ "Can-Am Mont-Tremblant 1978". 25 June 1978. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  41. ^ "Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant, Players Quebec, July 11 Juillet 1976". 11 July 1976. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  42. ^ "1970 SCCA Formula 5000 Le Circuit Continental". 1 August 1970. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  43. ^ "Trans-Am Mont-Tremblant 1977". 11 September 1977. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  44. ^ "Labatt 50 Mont-Tremblant 1966". 29 May 1966. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  45. ^ "Player's Mont-Tremblant 1965". 19 September 1965. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  46. ^ "Mont-Tremblant 3 Hours 1968". 21 July 1968. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  47. ^ "St. Jean 67, U.S.A.M. Mont-Tremblant 1967". 11 June 1967. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  48. ^ "Labatt 50 Mont-Tremblant 1965". 4 July 1965. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  49. ^ "Mont-Tremblant [SP] 1964". 13 September 1964. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  50. ^ "Regional Mont-Tremblant [Invitational] 1964". 18 October 1964. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  51. ^ "Regional Mont-Tremblant [Trophy] 1964". 18 October 1964. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  52. ^ "Regional Mont-Tremblant [Main] 1964". 23 August 1964. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
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