Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park at a glance
- Location
- Bowmanville (Clarington), Ontario
- Type
- road course
- Length
- 3.957 km (2.459 mi)
- Turns
- 10
- Direction
- clockwise
- Surface
- asphalt
- Opened
- 1961
- Owner
- Peter Thomson (Canadian Tire Motorsport Park)
- Address
- 3233 Concession Road 10
Track map and layout
Better known to generations of Canadian racers by its original name Mosport, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park's Grand Prix Circuit is a fast, undulating natural-terrain road course cut through rolling farmland east of Toronto. The lap climbs and dives through blind crests and off-camber sweepers, with the uphill run to Turn 2 and the plunging drop into the Moss Corners among the most respected sections in Canadian motorsport. The circuit's flowing, high-speed character rewards commitment and has changed comparatively little since the 1960s, which is part of why it remains a favourite among drivers across IMSA, NASCAR Canada and club racing. Beyond the Grand Prix Circuit, the property also houses the shorter Driver Development Track used for lapping days and driver training, and a separate karting complex.
Named corners and sections
- Moss Corner (Turn 5a/5b). A demanding sequence split into two distinct corners on Stirling Moss's suggestion, one of the circuit's signature sections.
- Clayton Corner (Turn 2). An uphill, blind-crest corner early in the lap that sets the tone for the circuit's natural-terrain character.
- The Esses (Turn 8). A rhythmic sequence of direction changes through the middle of the lap.
- Turn 10 (final corner). The last corner onto the front straight, a key overtaking and drafting zone.
Configurations
| Layout | Length | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix Circuit | 3.96 km | main 10-turn road course used for IMSA and NASCAR Canada |
| Driver Development Track (Advanced Course) | 2.88 km | shorter course used for lapping days and driver training |
Events and race weekends
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park has hosted major international racing since the early 1960s, including the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix in the 1960s and 1970s and the Can-Am series through most of its run from 1966 to 1986. Today the Grand Prix Circuit is a fixture on the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship calendar and hosts the NASCAR Canada Series, alongside vintage racing, club racing and a busy calendar of car and motorcycle track days on the Driver Development Track.
| Event | Series | When | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship round | IMSA | July | |
| NASCAR Canada Series round | NASCAR Canada | summer |
Getting there and parking
The circuit sits in Clarington, near Bowmanville, about an hour's drive east of downtown Toronto along Highway 401. Most visitors drive, since there is no direct rail or transit link to the track; the nearest major airport is Toronto Pearson.
- Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) · about 75 min drive
Parking
General parking is available on-site for event days; arrive early on major IMSA or NASCAR Canada weekends as lots fill and access roads back up.
Book accommodation in Bowmanville or Oshawa well ahead of IMSA weekend, and expect Highway 401 and Concession Road 10 to be congested around race start and finish times.
Hotels and camping near Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
Most visitors stay in Bowmanville or Oshawa, both a short drive from the track, or camp on-site during major race weekends; Toronto is also a viable base for those who don't mind the commute. On-site camping is a long-standing part of the CTMP culture, especially for IMSA and NASCAR Canada weekends.
Where to look
Bowmanville and Oshawa offer the closest hotel options, with Toronto and Whitby as wider alternatives for visitors willing to drive further.
Camping
Trailer and tent camping areas are available on-site for major event weekends, with grounds landscaped and leveled for trailers.
RV
RV and trailer camping spots are offered on-site for race weekends; sites should be booked through the circuit ahead of major events as they sell out.
Track days, driving experiences and lap records
CTMP runs a busy calendar of public and club lapping days on its Driver Development Track, aimed at drivers bringing their own road or track cars, alongside dedicated motorcycle track days. The Grand Prix Circuit itself is also used for HPDE and club racing events run by regional car clubs, giving visitors a range of ways to drive the property beyond spectating.
Who runs days here
Spectator guide
The circuit's rolling terrain gives many vantage points natural elevation, particularly around Moss Corner and the uphill run to Turn 2, where spectators can see several corners from one spot. General-admission hillside viewing is common across the property alongside grandstands near the start-finish straight.
Seating
Grandstands are positioned along the front straight near start-finish, with extensive general-admission hillside viewing available around the rest of the lap.
Best places to watch
The high ground around Moss Corner and the Turn 2 climb offer some of the best natural views of multiple corners on the property.
Weather
- July: warm Ontario summer, highs typically in the mid-20s °C (mid-70s to low-80s °F)
History of Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
From farmland to Mosport
The circuit opened in June 1961 as Mosport Park, carved from rolling farmland northeast of Toronto near Bowmanville. Its natural, undulating terrain and minimal reshaping set it apart from many purpose-built tracks of the era, and it quickly became one of the toughest and most respected road courses in North America among drivers of the day.
F1, Can-Am and the Mosport era
Mosport hosted the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix on several occasions through the 1960s and 1970s, sharing the race with Circuit Mont-Tremblant before the event settled permanently in Montreal. The track was also a mainstay of the Can-Am sports car series for most of its run between 1966 and 1986, and hosted World Superbike races in the early 1990s, cementing its reputation as one of Canada's premier road racing venues.
Renaming and the modern IMSA era
The facility was renamed Mosport International Raceway in 1997 and again to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in 2012 after the retailer took a sponsorship and naming stake, though many longtime fans still call it Mosport. The track was resurfaced to FIA specifications in 2001 and has continued to attract top-level competition, becoming a regular stop on the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and NASCAR Canada Series calendars. Today the property combines the historic Grand Prix Circuit with a separate Driver Development Track and karting complex, giving both professional series and everyday track-day drivers a place to lap one of Canada's oldest and most storied circuits.
Frequently asked questions
How long is Canadian Tire Motorsport Park?+
The Grand Prix Circuit is 3.957 km (2.459 miles) long with 10 turns.
Is Canadian Tire Motorsport Park the same as Mosport?+
Yes, it opened in 1961 as Mosport Park, was renamed Mosport International Raceway in 1997, and became Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in 2012 after a naming sponsorship; many fans still call it Mosport.
What series race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park?+
The Grand Prix Circuit currently hosts the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the NASCAR Canada Series, and previously hosted Formula 1 and the Can-Am series.
Can you do a track day at CTMP?+
Yes, the on-site Driver Development Track runs regular public and club lapping days for cars and motorcycles, separate from the main Grand Prix Circuit.
Is there camping at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park?+
Yes, on-site tent and trailer camping is available for major race weekends and is a long-standing part of the venue's culture.
How far is Canadian Tire Motorsport Park from Toronto?+
The circuit is about an hour's drive east of downtown Toronto, near Bowmanville in Clarington, Ontario.
Other tracks nearby
- Exhibition Place Street Circuit (Honda Indy Toronto) · 75 km · historic circuit (defunct)
- Shannonville Motorsport Park · 123 km · road course
- Calabogie Motorsports Park · 211 km · road course
- Watkins Glen International · 237 km · road course
- Grand Bend Motorplex · 259 km · road course & oval
- Nelson Ledges Road Course · 360 km · road course
Facts checked against 3 sources including the official circuit website. Last reviewed 2026-09-11.