Grand Prix of Montreal
Encyclopedia
The Grand Prix of Montreal was an annual auto race
in Montreal
, Quebec
on the Champ Car World Series circuit.
, an oval track, from 1984 through 1986. The Champ Car series revived the race in 2002, and it has been held in late August each year until 2006 at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
, a permanent road course most famous as the home of the Formula One
Canadian Grand Prix
.
In 2006, the name of the race was changed to the Grand Prix of Montreal after its sale by Molson Sports & Entertainment. This mirrored the name change of the Toronto
Champ Car race from the Molson Indy Toronto to the Molson Grand Prix of Toronto
after its sale by Molson.
, and it was heavily speculated that from 2007 onwards, Canadian Grand Prix promoter Normand Legault (who promotes all races at CGV) would replace the Grand Prix of Montreal with a NASCAR
Busch Series
race. Champ Car announced in September 2006 that it would indeed not be returning to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and would be replacing the event with one at Circuit Mont-Tremblant (Mont-Tremblant Champ Car Grand Prix
). CGV replaced the race with the NASCAR NAPA Auto Parts 200
race.
Sanair
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
Auto Race
is a Japanese version of motorcycle speedway, but combines gambling added into it and is held on an asphalt course, throughout Japan. It is regulated by the JKA Foundation.A typical Auto Race bike is 599㏄. Autorace is predominantly a gambling sport...
in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
on the Champ Car World Series circuit.
History
Originally known as the Molson Indy Montreal, it was first held at Sanair Super SpeedwaySanair Super Speedway
Sanair Super Speedway is a .826 mile paved triangular oval race track. The facility also holds a quarter mile dragstrip. It is located in Saint-Pie, Quebec. It hosted the Molson Indy Montreal from 1984 to 1986...
, an oval track, from 1984 through 1986. The Champ Car series revived the race in 2002, and it has been held in late August each year until 2006 at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a motor racing circuit, venue for the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series....
, a permanent road course most famous as the home of the Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
Canadian Grand Prix
Canadian Grand Prix
The Canadian Grand Prix , abbreviated as gpc, is an annual auto race held in Canada starting in 1961. It has been part of the Formula One World Championship since 1967...
.
In 2006, the name of the race was changed to the Grand Prix of Montreal after its sale by Molson Sports & Entertainment. This mirrored the name change of the Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
Champ Car race from the Molson Indy Toronto to the Molson Grand Prix of Toronto
Molson Grand Prix of Toronto
The Honda Indy Toronto is an annual IndyCar Series race, held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Originally known as the Molson Indy Toronto, it was a Champ Car World Series race held annually from 1986 to 2007...
after its sale by Molson.
Future prospects
After the 2006 race, the future of the Grand Prix of Montreal became shrouded in doubt. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is allowed to be used for one race weekend outside of the Canadian Grand PrixCanadian Grand Prix
The Canadian Grand Prix , abbreviated as gpc, is an annual auto race held in Canada starting in 1961. It has been part of the Formula One World Championship since 1967...
, and it was heavily speculated that from 2007 onwards, Canadian Grand Prix promoter Normand Legault (who promotes all races at CGV) would replace the Grand Prix of Montreal with a NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Busch Series
Busch Series
The NASCAR Nationwide Series is a stock car racing series owned and operated by the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. It is promoted as NASCAR's "minor league" circuit, and is a proving ground for drivers who wish to step up to the organization's "big leagues"; the Sprint Cup circuit...
race. Champ Car announced in September 2006 that it would indeed not be returning to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and would be replacing the event with one at Circuit Mont-Tremblant (Mont-Tremblant Champ Car Grand Prix
Mont-Tremblant Champ Car Grand Prix
The Mont-Tremblant Champ Car Grand Prix was an auto race in the Champ Car World Series. It was held atCircuit Mont-Tremblant, in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada....
). CGV replaced the race with the NASCAR NAPA Auto Parts 200
NAPA Auto Parts 200
The NAPA Auto Parts 200 Presented by Dodge is a NASCAR Nationwide Series race that takes place at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Quebec, Canada since 2007. It takes place in August, replacing the Champ Car World Series and Atlantic Championship Grand Prix of Montreal...
race.
SanairSanair Super SpeedwaySanair Super Speedway is a .826 mile paved triangular oval race track. The facility also holds a quarter mile dragstrip. It is located in Saint-Pie, Quebec. It hosted the Molson Indy Montreal from 1984 to 1986...
(1984-1986)
| Season | Winning Driver | Chassis | Engine | Team | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 |  Danny SullivanDanny Sullivan Daniel John "Danny" Sullivan III is a former racing driver from the United States. He is best known for winning the 1985 Indianapolis 500.-Before racing:... |
Lola | Cosworth Cosworth Cosworth is a high performance engineering company founded in London in 1958, specialising in engines and electronics for automobile racing , mainstream automotive and defence industries... |
Doug Shierson Racing Doug Shierson Racing Doug Shierson Racing is a former racing team that competed in the CART Championship Car Series from 1982 to 1990. The team was sponsored by Domino's Pizza for its entire run in CART.-Early years:... |
report |
| 1985 | Johnny Rutherford Johnny Rutherford For the Major League Baseball pitcher, see Johnny Rutherford . For other people with a similar name, see John RutherfordJohn Sherman Rutherford III , better known as Johnny Rutherford, and also known as "Lone Star JR" is a former U.S... |
March March Engineering March Engineering was a Formula One constructor and manufacturer of customer racing cars from the United Kingdom. Although only moderately successful in Grand Prix competition, March racing cars enjoyed much better achievement in other categories of competition including Formula Two, Formula Three,... |
Cosworth Cosworth Cosworth is a high performance engineering company founded in London in 1958, specialising in engines and electronics for automobile racing , mainstream automotive and defence industries... |
Alex Morales Autosports | report |
| 1986 | Bobby Rahal Bobby Rahal Robert "Bobby" Woodward Rahal is an American auto racing driver and team owner. As a driver, he won three championships and 24 races in the CART open-wheel series, including the 1986 Indianapolis 500... |
March March Engineering March Engineering was a Formula One constructor and manufacturer of customer racing cars from the United Kingdom. Although only moderately successful in Grand Prix competition, March racing cars enjoyed much better achievement in other categories of competition including Formula Two, Formula Three,... |
Cosworth Cosworth Cosworth is a high performance engineering company founded in London in 1958, specialising in engines and electronics for automobile racing , mainstream automotive and defence industries... |
TrueSports Truesports Truesports was an automobile racing team founded by Jim Trueman based in Hilliard, Ohio. The team is best known for winning the 1986 Indianapolis 500 and back-to-back CART championships in 1986 and 1987.... |
report |
Circuit Gilles VilleneuveCircuit Gilles VilleneuveThe Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a motor racing circuit, venue for the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series....
(2002-2006)
| Season | Winning Driver | Chassis | Engine | Team | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 |  Dario FranchittiDario Franchitti George Dario Marino Franchitti is a Scottish racing driver. He formerly competed in the CART series before switching to the IndyCar Series where he was 2007 champion, and won the rain-shortened 2007 Indianapolis 500. Franchitti is also a former NASCAR driver for Chip Ganassi Racing, competing... |
Lola | Honda Honda is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than... |
Team Green | report 2002 Molson Indy Montreal The 2002 Molson Indy Montreal was the thirteenth round of the 2002 CART FedEx Champ Car World Series season, held on August 25, 2002 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Quebec, Canada... |
| 2003 |  Michel Jourdain, Jr.Michel Jourdain, Jr. Michel Jourdain Jr. is an IndyCar driver. Jourdain Jr. started racing cars in the Mexican Formula Junior series at the age of 12. He then moved to the Mexican Formula K and Formula 2 series.-Champ Car:... |
Lola | Ford-Cosworth | Team Rahal | report 2003 Molson Indy Montreal The 2003 Molson Indy Montreal was the fourteenth round of the 2003 CART World Series season, held on August 24, 2003 at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.-Qualifying results:- Race :- Caution flags :- Notes :... |
| 2004 |  Bruno JunqueiraBruno Junqueira Bruno Junqueira is a Brazilian race car driver that most recently competed in the IRL IndyCar Series. He is a former Formula 3000 champion and three-time runner-up in the Champ Car World Series.-Early career:... |
Lola | Ford-Cosworth | Newman/Haas Racing | report 2004 Molson Indy Montreal The 2004 Molson Indy Montreal was the tenth round of the 2004 Bridgestone Presents the Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford season, held on August 29, 2004 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Quebec.-Qualifying results:-Race:-Caution flags:... |
| 2005 |  Oriol ServiaOriol Servia Oriol Servià i Imbers is a race car driver in the IndyCar Series, originally from Catalonia, Spain. He holds a degree in mechanical engineering from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia.-Early career:... |
Lola | Ford-Cosworth | Newman/Haas Racing | report 2005 Molson Indy Montreal The 2005 Molson Indy Montreal was the tenth round of the 2005 Bridgestone Presents the Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford season, held on August 28, 2005 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Sébastien Bourdais was the polesitter and Oriol Servià won the race... |
| 2006 |  Sébastien BourdaisSébastien Bourdais Sébastien Olivier Bourdais is a French race car driver. He is one of the most successful drivers in the history of the Champ Car World Series, having won four successive championships from 2004 to 2007.... |
Lola | Ford-Cosworth | Newman/Haas Racing | report |
Formula Atlantic winners
These races were held at Circuit Gilles VilleneuveCircuit Gilles Villeneuve
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a motor racing circuit, venue for the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series....
| Season | Winning Driver |
|---|---|
| 1978 1978 Formula Atlantic season The 1978 Formula Atlantic Labatts Championship Series season was contested over 7 rounds. In this one-make engine formula all drivers had to utilize Ford engines.-Calendar:-Driver:... |
Jeff Wood Jeff Wood (auto racer) Jeff Wood is an American former race car driver born in Wichita, Kansas. He was Formula Atlantic Rookie of the Year in 1977. He drove in the CanAm series for Carl Haas in 1981 and finished 5th in the series behind Danny Sullivan. In 1982, driving for Bob Garnetson Racing, finished 3rd place in the... |
| 1979 | Howdy Holmes Howdy Holmes Howdy S. Holmes , is a former driver in the CART Championship Car series. He began racing in the early 1970s and was based in Stockbridge, Michigan, about northeast of Chelsea.... |
| 1980 |  Jacques VilleneuveJacques Villeneuve (elder) Jacques Villeneuve Sr. also known as Jacquo or Uncle Jacques is a Canadian racer. He is the younger brother of the late Gilles Villeneuve, and uncle to Jacques Villeneuve . He was born in the small town of Berthierville, Quebec, Canada. He is now frequently known as Uncle Jacques because of the... |
| 1981 | Kevin Cogan Kevin Cogan Kevin Cogan is a former racecar driver who drove in Formula One from to . Driving a RAM Williams in the 1980 Canadian Grand Prix, he failed to qualify, suffering the same result driving for Tyrrell at the 1981 US GP West... |
| 1982 | Tim Coconis |
| 1983 1983 Formula Atlantic season The 1983 Formula Mondial North American Cup season was contested over 9 rounds. In this one-make engine formula all cars had to utilize Ford BDD engines... |
Roberto Moreno Roberto Moreno Roberto Pupo Moreno , usually known as Roberto Moreno and also as Pupo Moreno, is a racing driver from Brazil. He participated in 75 Formula One Grands Prix, achieved 1 podium, and scored a total of 15 championship points. He raced in CART in 1986, and was Formula 3000 champion before joining... |
| 1986 | Scott Goodyear Scott Goodyear Scott Goodyear is a former race car driver from Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. Goodyear ran the IRL and Champ Car series during his career from 1987, winning the Michigan 500 in 1992 and 1994... |
| 1988 | Scott Harrington Scott Harrington Scott Harrington is a former driver in the Indy Racing League. Starting out on two wheels, Harrington won a number of championships and achieved much success in the world of AMA Motocross and Supercross. In 1986 Sports Car Magazine picked Harrington as one of the three most promising drivers in... |
| 1989 | Scott Goodyear Scott Goodyear Scott Goodyear is a former race car driver from Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. Goodyear ran the IRL and Champ Car series during his career from 1987, winning the Michigan 500 in 1992 and 1994... |
| 1990 | Jocko Cunningham Jocko Cunningham James Oliver "Jocko" Cunningham is a former racing driver who competed in the SCCA/ECAR Formula Atlantic series from 1986 to 1990. He finished second in the championship in 1988 and won the championship in 1989. Among his 7 race victories was the series' first oval race on the Milwaukee Mile in... |
| 1991 | Jimmy Vasser Jimmy Vasser Jimmy Vasser is a retired American racing driver and current co-owner of KV Racing Technology. Vasser won the 1996 IndyCar season championship with Chip Ganassi Racing, and scored ten victories in the series... |
| 1992 | Chris Smith Chris Smith (driver) Christopher "Chris" Smith is a former American racing driver from Palos Verdes Estates, California. He competed in the Toyota Atlantic series beginning in 1991 and captured 3 wins on his way to the 1992 championship, he was unable to move up the ladder the following year though and only competed... |
| 1993 | Jacques Villeneuve Jacques Villeneuve Jacques Joseph Charles Villeneuve, , is a Canadian musician and automobile racing driver. He is the son of the late Formula One driver Gilles Villeneuve, and is the namesake of his uncle... |
| 1994 | Richie Hearn Richie Hearn Richie Hearn , is an American IndyCar racing driver.Hearn was born in Glendale, California. He ran in the Toyota Atlantic championship for two seasons, winning the title in 1995. In 1996, he began driving for John Della Penna in both the IRL and Champ Car ranks... |
| 1995 | David Empringham David Empringham David Empringham , is a Canadian auto racing driver. David is a two-time Toyota Atlantic and one-time Indy Lights champion. Most recently, Empringham won the 2005 Grand-Am Cup GS division drivers title, competing for Multimatic Motorsports.Empringham began his racing career in 1987, competing in... |
| 1996 1996 Formula Atlantic season The 1996 Toyota Atlantic Championship season was the 23rd season of the Atlantic Championship. It was contested over 12 races between March 3 and September 7, 1995. The Player's Toyota Atlantic Championship Drivers' Champion was Patrick Carpentier. All teams had to utilize Toyota engines... |
Patrick Carpentier Patrick Carpentier Patrick Carpentier is a retired Canadian race car driver. He is best known for his career in the Champ Car World Series and the IndyCar Series. In 2009, Patrick shared the #36 of Tommy Baldwin Racing with Mike Skinner and ran Michael Waltrip's #55 Toyota Camry in the road course races in the... |
| 1997 1997 Formula Atlantic season The 1997 Toyota Atlantic Championship season was contested over 12 rounds. All teams had to utilize Toyota engines. The KOOL Toyota Atlantic Championship Drivers' Champion was Alex Barron driving for Lynx Racing... |
Bertrand Godin |
| 1998 1998 Formula Atlantic season The 1998 Toyota Atlantic Championship season was contested over 13 rounds. All teams had to utilize Toyota engines. The KOOL Toyota Atlantic Championship Drivers' Champion was Lee Bentham driving for Forsythe Racing.-Calendar:Note:... |
Lee Bentham Lee Bentham Lee Bentham is a Canadian former racing driver from Richmond Hill, Ontario. In 1990 and 1992 he competed in the Formula K karting World Championship series. He moved to cars in the Toyota Atlantic series in 1995 in a successful partial-season program that managed to place Bentham on the podium... |
| 1999 1999 Formula Atlantic season The 1999 Toyota Atlantic Championship season was contested over 12 rounds. The KOOL Toyota Atlantic Championship Drivers' Champion was Anthony Lazzaro driving for PPI Motorsports. 19 different teams and 44 different drivers competed. In this one-make formula all drivers had to utilize Swift chassis... |
Alex Tagliani Alex Tagliani Alexandre Tagliani is a Canadian auto racing driver from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He currently competes in the IZOD IndyCar Series, driving the #77 entry for Sam Schmidt Motorsports.-Champ Car career:... |
| 2000 2000 Formula Atlantic season The 2000 Toyota Atlantic Championship season was contested over 12 rounds. The CART Toyota Atlantic Championship Drivers' Champion was Buddy Rice driving for PPI Motorsports. In this one-make formula all drivers had to utilize Swift chassis and Toyota engines... |
David Rutledge David Rutledge Dr. David B. Rutledge was elected Chair of the Division of Engineering and Applied Science at the California Institute of Technology and started his term on September 1, 2005 as such. His research group is currently involved in building circuits and antennas for numerous electronic applications... |
| 2001 2001 Formula Atlantic season The 2001 Toyota Atlantic Championship season was contested over 12 rounds. The CART Toyota Atlantic Championship Drivers' Champion was Hoover Orsi driving for Hylton Motorsports. In this one-make formula all drivers had to utilize Swift chassis and Toyota engines... |
David Rutledge David Rutledge Dr. David B. Rutledge was elected Chair of the Division of Engineering and Applied Science at the California Institute of Technology and started his term on September 1, 2005 as such. His research group is currently involved in building circuits and antennas for numerous electronic applications... |
| 2002 2002 Formula Atlantic season The 2002 Toyota Atlantic Championship season was contested over 12 rounds. The CART Toyota Atlantic Championship Drivers' Champion was Jon Fogarty driving for Dorricott Racing. In this one-make formula all drivers had to utilize Swift chassis and Toyota engines... |
Rocky Moran, Jr. |
| 2003 2003 Formula Atlantic season The 2003 Toyota Atlantic Championship season was contested over 12 rounds. In this one-make formula all drivers had to utilize Swift chassis and Toyota engines. 14 different teams and 24 different drivers competed. All drivers were able to score points. The Toyota Atlantic Championship Presented... |
A.J. Allmendinger |
| 2004 2004 Toyota Atlantic Championship season The 2004 Toyota Atlantic Championship season was contested over 12 rounds. 11 different teams and 24 different drivers competed. In this one-make formula all drivers had to utilize Swift chassis and Toyota engines. This season also saw a C2-class running older Swift chassis and Toyota engines. In... |
Jon Fogarty Jon Fogarty Jon Fogarty is an American professional auto racing driver . Fogarty currently drives the No. 99 GAINSCO Auto Insurance Daytona Prototype for GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series. He won his first Grand-Am race, the 2007 Mexico City 400k, in March 2007... |
| 2005 2005 Toyota Atlantic Championship season The 2005 Toyota Atlantic Championship season was contested over 12 rounds. 14 different teams and 27 different drivers competed. In this one-make formula all drivers had to utilize Swift chassis and Toyota engines. This season also saw a C2-class running older Swift chassis and Toyota engines. In... |
Antoine Bessette |
| 2006 2006 Champ Car Atlantic season The 2006 Champ Car Atlantic season was the 33rd season of the Champ Car Atlantic Championship. It began April 9th at Long Beach and concluded September 24th at Road America... |
Graham Rahal Graham Rahal Graham Rahal is an American race car driver. He currently participates in the IZOD IndyCar Series. He is the son of 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal.-Early racing:... |
External links
- Champ Car Stats: Sanair archive, Montreal archive
- Ultimate Racing History: Sanair archive, Montreal archive