Circuit Trois-Rivières – Quebec Street Circuit Guide
Originally published February 2017. Last updated September 2026: expanded Tier B circuit guide, facts table, table of contents, internal links, FAQ schema, and editorial refresh while preserving legacy narrative and images.
Circuit Trois-Rivières is a 2.46-kilometre temporary street course through downtown Trois-Rivières, Quebec — one of North America’s oldest city-centre race tracks and home of the annual Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières. Inspired by Monaco, local enthusiasts launched the first event in 1967. The Porte Duplessis arch has framed the start-finish straight since day one, even as the route shifted around the exhibition grounds.
Compare Canadian venues at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, and Circuit Mont-Tremblant, or North American street circuits such as Long Beach and St Petersburg.
Contents
Circuit Trois-Rivières facts
| Location | Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada (Exposition de Trois-Rivières) |
|---|---|
| Circuit type | Temporary street circuit (counter-clockwise) |
| First Grand Prix | 1967 (Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières) |
| Current layout since | 2000 |
| Length | 2.46 km, 10 turns |
| Landmark | Porte Duplessis arch at start-finish |
| Main events | Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières; NASCAR Pinty’s Series; Canadian Touring Car Championship; Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada |
| Historic series | Formula Atlantic, Indy Lights, Trans-Am, Can-Am, ALMS, Rolex Sports Car Series, FIA World RX (2014–2019) |
| Organiser | Groupe G3R / Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières |
Lap record note: Indy Lights, Formula Atlantic, and NASCAR use different cars and tyres. Published lap records apply only to the category and year stated.
Monaco on the St Lawrence
Racing enthusiasts who admired Monaco’s street festival persuaded the mayor and sponsors to close Trois-Rivières city streets in 1967. Early layouts looped through the exhibition centre before extensions pushed the course along the waterfront and through downtown blocks.
The Porte Duplessis gateway became the circuit’s visual trademark — a stone arch drivers burst through on every lap while crowds line the harbour-side straights.
Porte Duplessis — trademark of Circuit Trois-Rivières
Talent factory and visiting legends
The Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières funded scholarships and seat time for young Canadians long before modern spec-series ladders. It hosted Formula B, Formula Atlantic, Indy Lights, Trans-Am, Can-Am, and sports-car championships including the American Le Mans Series and Rolex Sports Car Series.
Winners and entrants read like a North American hall of fame: Gilles Villeneuve, Jacques Villeneuve Sr, Michael Andretti, Bobby Rahal, James Hunt, Alan Jones, Hélio Castroneves, Tony Kanaan, and Alex Tagliani among many others.
Indy Lights grid at the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières
The 2000 layout
The configuration used since 2000 runs counter-clockwise over 2.46 km with 10 turns. Two long straights linked by a tight infield create drafting on the NASCAR portion of the weekend and precision braking for open-wheel races. Corners honour heroes such as Villeneuve and Patrick Depailler.
Map: Circuit Trois-Rivières street layout
NASCAR, rallycross, and national championships
Since 2007 the NASCAR Canada (Pinty’s) Series headline has drawn the largest crowds of the modern era. The FIA World Rallycross Championship ran the World RX of Canada here from 2014 until the series left North America after 2019, bringing jump sections and gravel to the harbour front.
Support categories include the Canadian Touring Car Championship and Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada, keeping the August festival a full paddock rather than a single-feature race.
FIA World RX of Canada at Circuit Trois-Rivières
Getting there and contact
Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport is about 75 minutes by road. Montreal’s Trudeau airport is roughly 90 minutes west. The circuit sits inside Exposition de Trois-Rivières, reachable from Highway 40.
Address: 1450 Rue de l’Hippodrome, Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 5L9, Canada
Phone: +1 819 370 4787
Website: gp3r.com
Frequently asked questions about Circuit Trois-Rivières
Where is Circuit Trois-Rivières?
Circuit Trois-Rivières is a temporary street course through downtown Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada, centred on the Exposition de Trois-Rivières grounds on the St Lawrence River.
How long is Circuit Trois-Rivières?
The layout in use since 2000 measures 2.46 km with 10 turns, run counter-clockwise.
When did the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières start?
The first Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières was held in 1967, inspired by enthusiasts who wanted a Monaco-style festival in Quebec.
What is Porte Duplessis?
Porte Duplessis is the stone arch at the start-finish straight. It has been the visual trademark of the circuit since the inaugural event.
Which famous drivers raced at Trois-Rivières?
Winners and competitors include Gilles Villeneuve, Michael Andretti, Bobby Rahal, James Hunt, Hélio Castroneves, and many IndyCar and Formula Atlantic stars.
Does NASCAR race at Trois-Rivières?
Yes. The NASCAR Pinty’s Series (formerly NASCAR Canada) has headlined the August festival since 2007, drawing the largest modern crowds.
Did World Rallycross race at Trois-Rivières?
The FIA World Rallycross Championship ran the World RX of Canada here from 2014 through 2019 before the series left North America.
What open-wheel series raced at Trois-Rivières?
The circuit hosted Formula Atlantic, Formula B, and Indy Lights for decades, helping launch Canadian and international single-seater careers.
How do you get to Circuit Trois-Rivières?
Fly to Québec City (about 75 minutes by road) or Montreal Trudeau (about 90 minutes). The track is inside the exhibition grounds, reachable from Highway 40.
When is the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières held?
The festival traditionally runs in August. Check gp3r.com for the current schedule, ticket sales, and support races.