Mosport International Raceway

[keilhauer]

Mosport is a very challenging 2.49mile permanent roadcourse about 45-minutes east of Toronto. It was home to the Canadian Formula 1 back in the late 60's up until 1974, when it moved to its' current venue in Montreal. Mosport is a circuit that takes skill to drive properly, and many,many times to drive comfortably, as there are many elevation changes - some mid-turn, and some very high-speed, blind, off-camber corners (Turn 2 is regarded as one of the most difficult corners in motorsport). I drove it the first time in 1988 and have participated in over 15 events at this track, as well as one weekend in a single-seat race car, a FV1600.
Here are my times in the various cars I've driven at Mosport, including any modifications, if any:

1984 Mustang SVO (stock including Goodyear Gatorback tires)
1minute 56 seconds (in 1989)

1994 Mustang GT (Mac shorty headers, Flowmaster 2-chamber mufflers, Yokohama Nexus 255/40ZR17)
2minute 8seconds (April 2000 in the rain)

2002 SVT Focus 3-door
1minute 54 seconds (June 2002 - inaugural Mustangs at Mosport On-Track)

2003 SVT Cobra Mustang Convertible
1minute 49 seconds (June 2003 - 2nd Annual Mustangs at Mosort On-Track)

1984 Shadow FV1600 single-seat race car
1minute 46seconds (May 2000 - note lap record in the class is 1min 40sec)

I know that my stock Mustang times are slow compared to veteran drivers. Back in 1988, my first time on the track was as a passenger in a DECH-prepared 1985 Mustang GT, with 300bhp and Yokohama A008's (trick for the time), and lapped Mosport in 1minute 46seconds. A current stock Cobra can lap Mosport, with a veteran driver, in under 1minute 40seconds, so I still have a ways to go. However, I still value my personal safety, so I'll be lucky if I shave 1-2 seconds off that in a stock car without a cage. Mosport is just too scary (I've spun out in 5b and 9, and, that first time out as a passenger, spun to the outside of 1 - I have the in-car footage I was shooting at the time for that one to remember forever)

[cobracory]

I thought you were going to be saying you booked the big track for a day in September or October.

I want the last 45 seconds back of my life for reading your post. :)
j/k :spinem:

[keilhauer]

Ahhhsoooo, keep the faith, my son, for the year is not yet done. It would appear that you are suffering from a case of On-Track withdrawal. Prescription pending....

[cobracory]

That is soooo true.
I am still paying off the new brakes I got after the SVTOA Canadian Regional OnTrack event at Dunnville.

But I sooooo want to go back to Mosport.
Was there in June with the GHMA (Golden Horseshoe Mustang Association).

[keilhauer]

But I sooooo want to go back to Mosport.
Was there in June with the GHMA (Golden Horseshoe Mustang Association).[/QUOTE]

Yes, that is the event co-sponsored by SVTOA Eastern Ontario. We've been involved in the event since it started 3 years ago.

[cobracory]

Oh yah... I keep forgetting I saw you there. :)

[mcflysvt04]

So you guys should put something together before the snow/ice come and we cant make it home. I game to come. Its a ride from NYC but it would be worth it. Im sure SVT people would love one more event in the Northeast. I havent made one all year


GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cobracory]

Northeast? Welcome to Canada eh? :) heh

Problem with Mosport is to get the big track on a weekend is next to impossible - and even if you did, the price would be way too high. So you are left with booking a weekday to get it.

It was CAD$175 for the time I went back in June.

[mcflysvt04]

How is the smaller track? Not has good.

[keilhauer]

You can see track maps at www.mosport.com but you won't be able to see the elevation changes present on the big track. Watkins Glen has elevation changes and sweeping corners like Mosport. Mosport has a 1-mile long uphill back straight with a slight kink about 1/2 way. The Glen has a long back straight where you can just wind the car out flat from the exit of Turn 1 through to the bus-stop at the end of the back straight. The really fast cars may have to feather through the esses (2,3 & 4) at the Glen, but we're talking pro-level speed there.

I haven't been to Watkins Glen since 1991 and would dearly love to take part in an event there in 2005.

[cobracory]

*drool* sorry... was just remembering the exit from 5c and going into the Mario Andretti straightaway at Mosport. :)

I hit about 230km/h along there - I didn't push it too much, I actually braked and slowed down before turning.

One of the instructors drove my car and he hit just over 240km/h - since he braked much harder and later.

That'll explain why my wheels were black after his laps. :)

[Gumball]

Doing fast laps at Mosport will DEFINITELY increase your heart rate.....