Circuit Mont-Tremblant – Le Circuit & Canadian GP History
Originally published December 2016. Last updated September 2026: expanded Tier B circuit guide, facts table, table of contents, internal links, FAQ schema, and editorial refresh while preserving legacy images and narrative.
Circuit Mont-Tremblant (Le Circuit) is a 2.647-mile permanent road course in Quebec’s Laurentian Mountains, about 90 miles north of Montreal. It hosted the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix in 1968 and 1970, Can-Am legends on The Hump, and later Grand-Am and Champ Car before Lawrence Stroll’s rebuild made it a historic-racing and driver-school venue.
The track matters because it is one of only three circuits to hold the Canadian Grand Prix before Montreal’s permanent home — alongside Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (Mosport) and Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Compare North American road-course neighbours such as Watkins Glen International and Road Atlanta.
Contents
Circuit Mont-Tremblant facts
| Location | Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada (Laurentian Mountains, ~145 km north of Montreal) |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Le Circuit; Circuit Mont-Tremblant |
| Circuit type | Permanent road course (divisible North/South layouts) |
| Opened | 1964 (extended course 1965; major rebuild completed 2002) |
| Current length | 2.647 miles (4.260 km), 15 turns |
| Direction | Clockwise |
| Formula One | Canadian Grand Prix 1968 (Denny Hulme) and 1970 (Jacky Ickx) |
| Owner | Lawrence Stroll (since 2000) |
| Main events today | Spring/Summer/Fall Classic historic meetings; Jim Russell Racing Drivers School |
Lap record note: Champ Car, sports cars, and club categories use different tyres and downforce. Tristan Gommendy’s 1:16.776 pole time from the 2007 Champ Car weekend is a useful reference for the modern layout, not directly comparable with 1960s F1 laps.
The Circuit Mont-Tremblant, located near the village Mont-Tremblant in Quebec, Canada, about 90 miles north of Montreal, is one of three race tracks which hosted the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix (the other two are Mosport Park and Circuit Gilles Villeneuve). Mont-Tremblant was the venue of the Canadian Grand Prix two times, in 1968 and 1970.
Besides Formula 1, Mont-Tremblant was hosting the races of the USAC Championship, Can-Am Series, Trans-Am Series, Champ Car World Series, Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series and other competitions. In recent years, it mostly hosted historic racing events. The owner of the circuit, since 2000, is a Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, a father of Formula One driver Lance Stroll.
Circuit Mont-Tremblant
Le Circuit opened in 1964
The circuit was opened in 1964. Since Mont-Tremblant was a popular winter sports venue since the 1940s, locals wanted something to do during the spring/summer months. One of the ideas was the racing circuit. Leo Samson, a local racing enthusiast, turned an idea into reality.
The Circuit Mont-Tremblant, or simply Le Circuit, was opened in 1964 during the summer and a first race took place in August. The original race track was a 1.56-mile (2.51km) 12-turn course, featuring a combination of uphill and downhill sections, fast turns, 90-degree bends and hairpins. In 1965, the extended course was opened, 2.65 miles (4.26km) long.
The infamous Hump
The Hump took many victims through the years
One of the main features of the new circuit was a big elevation change on the back straight, known as The Hump. The jumps and airbornes became the regular situations, so many drivers compared a circuit with the Nürburgring.
The Hump took its first victims during the practice for the inaugural Can-Am Series race in September 1966. Two Lola T70 cars went airborne and they were severely damaged, fortunately, the drivers were unharmed. The winner of the inaugural Can-Am race was the champion John Surtees with Lola T70 (Chevrolet).
Circuit hosted many notable championships in the past
Many different series took place at Mont-Tremblant
In 1967 and 1968, the USAC Championship had two double-header events at Mont-Tremblant. Mario Andretti was the winner in all four races, driving the Brawner Hawk (Ford). Many other North American competitions visited Mont-Tremblant during the late 1960s and the 1970s, such as Trans-Am Series, SCCA US Road Racing Championship, Formula 5000 or Atlantic Championship.
Some of the world famous winners were Denny Hulme, Dan Gurney, Jackie Stewart, Mark Donohue (six times), Peter Gregg, David Hobbs, George Follmer and Gilles Villeneuve.
The circuit is located in the Laurentian Mountain
Canadian Grand Prix — wins for Hulme and Ickx
In September 1968, Formula One came for the first time to the Circuit Mont-Tremblant. The 90-lap race was won by McLaren driver Denny Hulme after starting from the sixth position. His teammate Bruce McLaren finished second and BRM driver Pedro Rodriguez finished in third place.
This race was the 10th round of the 1968 championship season and all the attention was on four title contenders: Graham Hill, Jacky Ickx, Jackie Stewart and Denny Hulme. During qualifying, Jacky Ickx’s hopes of winning the world’s title ended, when he crashed his Ferrari 312 after the throttle stuck open. As a result, Ickx suffered a broken leg. Two years later, Jacky Ickx won the 90-lap race for Ferrari, ahead of his teammate Clay Regazzoni. Chris Amon (March) completed the podium.
Denny Hulme was the winner of the 1968 Canadian Grand Prix
Drop from the F1 glory to the level of local racing
Formula One didn’t return to Mont-Tremblant after 1970. One of the main reasons was the inappropriate bumpy surface that was too dangerous for high-powered and fast Formula One machines. The competitions which took place at Mont-Tremblant in the next couple of years were marked by severe accidents, for instance, Brian Redman‘s big crash during the 1977 Can-Am race, which forced him to leave racing for almost a year.
During the 1980s and the 1990s, the circuit was demoted to the level of local racing, with a few ownership changes. Then, in 2000, the circuit was purchased by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, a Montreal fashion mogul who had connections with Formula One because he was one of the sponsors of Lotus in the 1990s.
Circuit Mont-Tremblant
Lawrence Stroll gave Mont-Tremblant a new life
Stroll hired Alan L. Wilson, a famous South African designer of race tracks, to redevelop the circuit according to modern FIA standards. He wanted to preserve the essential character of the course. The extensive makeover lasted until 2002. The complete 15-turn track was widened, run-off areas were created around the course, high-speed Turn 1 was reconstructed with an optional chicane and, the most important, The Hump was lowered.
The length of the circuit is 2.647 miles (4.260 km) and it can be divided into two separate courses, North Circuit (1.529 miles) and South Circuit (1.187 miles) because one more pit lane/paddock area was constructed.
Champ Car race at Mont-Tremblant in 2007
Grand-Am Rolex and Champ Car were the last major series
After a re-opening in 2002, the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series was the first major competition that visited Mont-Tremblant. The 6-hour race was the penultimate round of the championship and Doran Lista Racing’s Dallara LMP-Judd took the victory. A year later, again in September, Brumos Racing’s Fabcar-Porsche was the victorious car. In 2004 and 2005, the race was held in May.
In 2007, the Champ Car World Series came to Mont-Tremblant. After the unification of two competitions into the IndyCar Series in 2008, there was no place on the calendar for Mont-Tremblant.
The Dutchman Robert Doornbos remained the only Champ Car winner at Mont-Tremblant, driving Panoz (Cosworth) for Minardi Team USA. It was the first win for Doornbos. Sebastien Bourdais and Will Power completed the podium. In that race, the fastest lap time was set. Tristan Gommendy earned a pole position with a time 1.16.776.
Map: Circuit Mont-Tremblant layout
Home of the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School
In recent years, only national or local events are taking place at Mont-Tremblant but the circuit is mostly known as a home for the famous Jim Russell Racing Drivers School.
During the year, mostly cars from the past are running on the Mont-Tremblant’s circuit, because main events on the calendar are Spring Classic, Summer Classic and Fall Classic. In 2016, one of the events was the 50th anniversary of the Can-Am Series.
: Circuit Mont Tremblant, P.O. Box 2610, Station B Mont Tremblant, Quebec J8E 1B1, Canada
Phone: +1 819 425 6363
Official website: www.lecircuit.com
Frequently asked questions about Circuit Mont-Tremblant
Where is Circuit Mont-Tremblant?
Circuit Mont-Tremblant (Le Circuit) is in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, in the Laurentian Mountains about 90 miles (145 km) north of Montreal.
How long is the Mont-Tremblant race track?
The full course is 2.647 miles (4.260 km) with 15 turns. The venue can also be split into North and South sub-circuits.
Did Formula One race at Mont-Tremblant?
Yes. Mont-Tremblant hosted the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix twice — in 1968 (won by Denny Hulme) and 1970 (won by Jacky Ickx).
What is The Hump at Mont-Tremblant?
The Hump is a major elevation change on the back straight where cars could get airborne. It was lowered during Lawrence Stroll’s early-2000s rebuild but remains part of the circuit’s character.
Who owns Circuit Mont-Tremblant?
Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll has owned the circuit since 2000. His son Lance Stroll races in Formula One.
When did Mont-Tremblant open?
Le Circuit opened in 1964; the extended course followed in 1965. The first race was in August 1964.
What major series raced at Mont-Tremblant after F1?
Can-Am, Trans-Am, USAC, Champ Car, and Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series all visited. The last headline open-wheel round was Champ Car in 2007.
What is the Jim Russell school at Mont-Tremblant?
The Jim Russell Racing Drivers School is a well-known driver-training programme based at the circuit, alongside historic meetings such as the Spring, Summer, and Fall Classics.
Why did F1 leave Mont-Tremblant?
Formula One did not return after 1970 largely because the bumpy surface was considered too dangerous for contemporary F1 cars, among other safety concerns.
How do you visit Circuit Mont-Tremblant?
Check lecircuit.com for track days, school dates, and historic events. Address: P.O. Box 2610, Station B, Mont Tremblant, Quebec J8E 1B1; phone +1 819 425 6363.
From F1 twice to Laurentian classics
Mont-Tremblant’s story threads Can-Am air over The Hump, two Canadian Grands Prix, Lawrence Stroll’s investment, and a calendar dominated today by historic machinery rather than championship downforce.
Related reading
- Canadian Tire Motorsport Park — Mosport and IMSA history
- Circuit Gilles Villeneuve — Montreal’s F1 street circuit
- Nürburgring — another mountain circuit drivers compared to Mont-Tremblant
- Mount Panorama Bathurst — elevation and blind crests
Visiting Circuit Mont-Tremblant
Address: Circuit Mont Tremblant, P.O. Box 2610, Station B, Mont Tremblant, Quebec J8E 1B1, Canada
Phone: +1 819 425 6363
Official website: lecircuit.com
Photos: lecircuit.com, flagworld.com.
