Grand Bend Motorplex
Grand Bend Motorplex at a glance
- Location
- Grand Bend, Ontario
- Type
- road course & oval
- Length
- 2.2 km (1.367 mi)
- Turns
- 11
- Direction
- clockwise
- Banking
- 12° on the tri-oval; road course unbanked
- Surface
- asphalt
- Owner
- Grand Bend Racing Inc.
- Website
- grandbendmotorplex.com
Track map and layout
Grand Bend Motorplex is a multi-discipline complex southeast of the Lake Huron resort town of Grand Bend, built around a 2.2 km (1.367 mi), 11-turn road course. The same grounds also host a quarter-mile drag strip, a banked 0.402 km tri-oval with 12 degrees of banking, and a dirt motocross track, making it one of the more varied motorsport facilities in southwestern Ontario. The road course layout is flat and technical rather than high-speed, suited to club racing, superbike competition and driver training, while the drag strip and oval draw a separate crowd of straight-line and short-track racers.
Configurations
| Layout | Length | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Road course | 2.20 km | 2.200 km, 11 turns |
| Drag strip | 0.40 km | quarter-mile IHRA-sanctioned strip |
| Tri-oval | 0.40 km | 0.402 km, 12° banking |
Events and race weekends
Grand Bend's biggest weekend is the IHRA Mopar Canadian Nationals, part of the drag strip's calendar since 2000, alongside the IHRA Nitro Jam and the Ontario Nostalgia Drag Racing (ONDR) Series. On the road course, the Canadian Superbike Championship (CSBK) has run a round at Grand Bend in most seasons since 2017, most recently returning for 2026. Other fixtures include car shows such as the Berlin Klassik Euro Car Show and themed weekends like Windsor Weekend and Stratford Spectacular; the facility says it draws around 60,000 fans annually across its full event calendar.
| Event | Series | When | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IHRA Mopar Canadian Nationals | IHRA drag racing | — | flagship drag strip event, run since 2000 |
| Canadian Superbike Championship round | CSBK | — | road course round, held most seasons since 2017 |
Getting there and parking
The Motorplex sits just southeast of Grand Bend on the shore of Lake Huron, roughly a 40-45 minute drive from London, Ontario, and about 2.5 hours from Toronto. There is no direct public transit to the site, so a car is necessary; most out-of-town visitors fly into London or Toronto and drive from there.
- London International Airport (YXU) · about 45 min drive
- Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) · about 150 min drive
Parking
General parking is available on-site for spectators; larger events such as the IHRA Nationals and CSBK weekend draw bigger crowds, so arriving early is recommended.
Combine a visit with Grand Bend's Lake Huron beaches, a short drive away and popular for sunset viewing after a day at the track.
Hotels and camping near Grand Bend Motorplex
Grand Bend itself is a well-established Lake Huron summer resort town with a good range of motels, cottages and vacation rentals within a few minutes of the track, though beach-season demand means booking ahead is wise for big event weekends. London, about 45 minutes away, offers a larger supply of chain hotels for visitors who prefer a city base.
Where to look
Grand Bend town (minutes from the track) for beach-town lodging, or London (45 minutes away) for more hotel choice.
RV
Motorhome/RV camping is available on the Motorplex grounds for event weekends.
Track days, driving experiences and lap records
The road course and drag strip both run organised event days rather than casual drop-in access; car clubs, driving schools and the Ontario Nostalgia Drag Racing Series book time on the facility through the season, alongside the Canadian Superbike Championship's official test and race days. Details and bookings are handled through the Motorplex's own events calendar.
Lap records
| Category | Time | Driver | Car | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Superbike | 1:02.837 | Ben Young | BMW M1000RR | 2023 |
| Supersport | 1:04.206 | Nathan Playford | Ducati Panigale V2 | 2026 |
Spectator guide
Grand Bend draws its largest crowds for the IHRA Mopar Canadian Nationals and the Canadian Superbike Championship weekend, with the facility citing roughly 60,000 fans across its annual calendar of racing, car shows and concerts. Motorhome camping on the grounds gives many regulars a weekend-long, festival-style experience rather than a single-day visit.
Seating
Grandstand seating is available at both the drag strip and the road course's main straight.
Best places to watch
The drag strip finish line area for IHRA events, and the road course's main straight or braking zones for CSBK superbike action.
Weather
- Jun-Sep: warm Lake Huron summer, highs around 24-27°C (75-80°F); lake breezes keep evenings cooler
History of Grand Bend Motorplex
A multi-discipline motorsport hub
Grand Bend Motorplex grew up on the shore of Lake Huron near the resort town of Grand Bend, developing over the decades into a complex that combines a 2.2 km road course, a quarter-mile IHRA-sanctioned drag strip, a banked tri-oval and a dirt motocross track under one roof, operated by Grand Bend Racing Inc. That breadth of facilities has let it serve very different corners of Canadian motorsport, from grassroots oval and drag racing to national-level road racing, on the same grounds.
Drag racing roots
The drag strip has been the anchor of the calendar for decades, and since 2000 it has hosted the IHRA Mopar Canadian Nationals, one of the country's best-known drag racing weekends, alongside the IHRA Nitro Jam and events run by the Ontario Nostalgia Drag Racing Series. These weekends, combined with themed gatherings like the Berlin Klassik Euro Car Show, Windsor Weekend and Stratford Spectacular, have built Grand Bend's reputation as a destination event venue rather than just a club racing facility, with the Motorplex citing around 60,000 fans attending across its full annual calendar.
Road course and superbike racing
The 11-turn road course has become a regular stop on the Canadian Superbike Championship calendar, hosting rounds in most seasons from 2017 onward, including 2022 through 2024 and a return in 2026, drawing the country's top superbike and supersport riders. Lap records on the road course continue to fall as CSBK competition has intensified, with the outright benchmark set in the 2020s by riders such as Ben Young. Today Grand Bend Motorplex functions as one of southwestern Ontario's key multi-purpose motorsport venues, pairing straight-line drag racing heritage with a growing road racing calendar and a full season of car shows, concerts and family events.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Grand Bend Motorplex road course?+
The road course is 2.2 km (1.367 mi) long with 11 turns.
Where is Grand Bend Motorplex?+
It's southeast of Grand Bend, Ontario, on the shore of Lake Huron, about 45 minutes from London.
What is the facility's biggest event?+
The IHRA Mopar Canadian Nationals drag racing weekend, held annually since 2000, is one of its flagship events, alongside the Canadian Superbike Championship road course round.
Does Grand Bend Motorplex have a drag strip?+
Yes, a quarter-mile IHRA-sanctioned drag strip runs alongside the road course, tri-oval and motocross track on the same grounds.
Can I camp at the track?+
Motorhome/RV camping is available on the grounds for event weekends; there is no dedicated tent camping noted.
Is there public transit to Grand Bend Motorplex?+
No, there is no direct public transit; visitors need a car, typically driving from London (about 45 minutes) or Toronto (about 2.5 hours).
Other tracks nearby
- Detroit Grand Prix · 152 km · street circuit
- Exhibition Place Street Circuit (Honda Indy Toronto) · 190 km · historic circuit (defunct)
- Nelson Ledges Road Course · 228 km · road course
- Michigan International Speedway · 247 km · oval
- Canadian Tire Motorsport Park · 259 km · road course
- Pittsburgh International Race Complex · 294 km · road course
Facts checked against 3 sources including the official circuit website. Last reviewed 2026-09-11.