RACERS, START YOUR ENGINES! Planning is underway for the 25th Anniversary Can-Am Challenge Club Race — held at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Grand Prix Track in Bowmanville, from Friday, July 29 to Sunday, July 31.
After two years off due to the pandemic and border closures, the Can-Am Challenge is thrilled to be back on the PCA Club Racing schedule for 2022.
CTMP, more lovingly known as Mosport to many, is 2.459 miles, with 10 turns, and is one of the most historic, exciting, and fastest road courses around. Having opened in 1961, the track offers breathtaking speed over dramatic elevation changes which has made it a fan and racer favourite. It’s been home to everything from F1 to NASCAR, from Superbike to ALMS and IMSA. It’s a legendary track and now a modern, world-class racing facility that’s home to Canadian Porsche Club Racing. UCR is truly fortunate to have such a grand facility in our own back yard.
The first PCA-sanctioned races were held in the USA in 1992. In 1996, the PCA Club Racing circuit expanded north of the border and the first PCA UCR Club Race took place at Mosport in conjunction with PCA Northern New Jersey Region. Now, 24 years later, plus two pre-empted years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, UCR is gearing up to host racers from across North America for the 25th Anniversary Can-Am Challenge Club Race. The fact that the club race has managed to sustain its presence at a premier North American track is a true testament to both the hard work and dedication of the many volunteers and the enthusiasm of the club racers who all show their commitment to the event year after year.
CTMP is a bucket-list track, and this event is the perfect opportunity for PCA racers to add it to their roster. Race registration opens Monday, June 13 on ClubReg. Don’t miss the opportunity to race where the pros race. The weekend schedule includes extended practice sessions for PCA racers on Friday before qualifying, with warm-ups and sprint races on Saturday and a 90-minute enduro on Sunday. This year’s event includes a Friday night tailgate barbecue in the paddock and a Saturday night awards dinner in the CTMP event centre. UCR is partnering with the BMW Trillium Club again this year, which will also be hosting its BMW CCA Club Race.
In addition to club racing, the Saturday and Sunday schedule also has track time allocated for advanced solo lapping (ASL), which is open to drivers from the UCR black and red run groups, or equivalent upon approval from the ASL chairman. Registration for ASL is now open on ClubRegistration.net.
The event would not be possible without support from our dedicated sponsors. This year’s race is proudly presented by Pfaff Porsche and Porsche Centre Markham, homes of the IMSA GTD championship team Pfaff Motorsports. The race is also run with support from Porsche Canada and our trackside sponsor Braidan Tire.
Event attendance is free for club members and is a great activity for the whole family. Bring a lawn chair, picnic basket, ear plugs for the young ones, and settle in at a favourite corner to watch the live action unfold. Members can even consider camping overnight at the track and making a weekend out of it. The UCR Goodie Store will also be on site on Saturday, July 30 with lots of Porsche Club merchandise to purchase. Planning is also underway to host some of the UCR Special Interest Groups at the event with potential for parade laps on the Grand Prix track at lunch. Stay tuned for more info as it becomes available.
We’re still looking for club race volunteers to help pull off this great event. No experience needed. If you are interested in volunteering for club race, please sign up as an “event volunteer” on ClubRegistration.net to indicate which days you’re available to help and which duties you’d like to help with. Or send an E-mail to volunteer@pcaucr.org to learn more.
On behalf of the board and all members of PCA UCR, it is important to recognize and thank past Club Race chairs and the hundreds of volunteers who have participated in this event in the past. You’ve all helped to pave the way for the celebration of 25 years of Porsche Club Racing at Mosport.
Mark your calendar and come out to one of UCR’s big signature events. We hope to see you trackside this August long weekend. </>
