Of all the Porsches, Ferraris and all the other exceptional new vehicles sold in Quebec, some will never hit the streets. Their owners only intend them for use on the circuit.
Not all the owners of the fastest and most exclusive cars will be meeting up on Crescent Street this week as part of the Canadian Grand Prix festivities. Many will prefer to be away from the spotlight and the curious, at the Mont-Tremblant trail. This automobile circuit has been inviting them, for several decades now, to driving sessions where there are more of them than you might think.
“For the moment, demand remains stable,” explains Vincent Loughran, operations director of this track which has hosted Formula 1 twice (1968 and 1970) during its history. Few circuits in Quebec can boast such a laudatory sporting past, but also such a technical and fast route.
PHOTO PIERRE MCCANN, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
The Canadian Formula 1 Grand Prix took place on the Mont-Tremblant circuit in 1968 (our photo) and in 1970.
“Club Tremblant members benefit from between 26 and 30 days per year of track sessions,” explains Mr. Loughran. There is no doubt that holding the Canadian Grand Prix will have a ripple effect among sports driving enthusiasts. And the doors of the Laurentian circuit are not only open to a privileged few, our interlocutor reminds us.
Not all of our members drive exceptional cars, far from it. Some arrive at the circuit with their everyday vehicle or even with competition vehicles.
Vincent Loughran, director of operations at Piste Mont-Tremblant
This is the case, for example, of Michel Cosimano, pilot of the Vintage series. He takes advantage of these driving sessions to perfect the development of his racing MGB or to better take care of his trajectories for an upcoming competition.
Like a golf club, the Mont-Tremblant trail has created a community of enthusiasts. For an annual fee of $8,250, members participate in private sessions. A unique opportunity for owners of exceptional vehicles to explore the capabilities, and sometimes the limits, of their vehicle in a secure environment and without the risk of having their driving license suspended. Membership also provides access to training and training sessions to deepen your driving knowledge, which may prove useful outside of a circuit. These sessions offer the opportunity to shoot without a spirit of competition and without any other aspiration than to have fun and improve your technique (vision, anticipation, patience, etc.). And also feel small (and big) chills!
In addition to the Mont-Tremblant track, the ICAR circuit in Mirabel also offers a similar subscription formula, but more flexible and less expensive. The SANAIR complex in Saint-Pie also offers track days during the summer season.
Visit the Piste Mont-Tremblant website
Visit the ICAR website
Visit the SANAIR website