How to Get On The Race Track
Driving Schools
The best way to "Take it to the Track" is to take an Intro to Performance Driving course and learn the fundamentals. Driving schools will teach you the rules, skills and resources to accelerate your journey into the sport.
There are a number of great performance driving schools you can explore in Ontario:
- Pinnacle Advanced Driving Academy
- Ian Law Racing (Car Control School)
- HANSON International Advanced Driving School
- Brack Driving Concepts
- Racelab
Public / Private Lapping Days
A "lapping day" is an event where you can pay a set fee to drive your car on the race track. Different track/groups have different safety requirements but in general you will need a valid drivers license, mechanically roadworthy vehicle and typically a helmet at a minimum. Driver instruction is usually not included, however it may be offered as an option. Standard rules will apply and there will typically be a "Track Marshal" available to review and enforce the rules throughout the day.
Public or Open lapping is a time when you can bring your car to the track and pay a fee to "lap" during the allotted time. These events are open to the public (any car) and are different from private lapping days.
Private lapping day is when a private group books the track for a specific period of time and only those who are registered with the host can attend.
Top Lapping Organizers:
Time Attack / Endurance Racing
If you are looking to get into Timed Competition then there are two great options available with "Time Attack" and Endurance Racing. Neither require a "race license" however Endurance Racing will require specific safety features to be installed in your vehicle.
Time Attack is an event that pits you against the clock versus other drivers. Your focus is to run the fastest lap time possible out of a limited number of laps. While you are on track with other drivers, you will not be "racing" them for finishing positions but only against your own lap time. The basic requirements are a mechanically sound vehicle and a helmet.
Time Attack Organizers:
Endurance racing takes you a step further where it is true "wheel to wheel" racing. The rules are simply, complete as many laps as you can (often with a team) over a set amount of time. Endurance will require you have prepare your vehicle with additional safety features (ie. roll cage, safety harness, fire suppression). However not to worry, many teams offer the ability to "arrive and drive" where you just pay for the seat time per event.
Endurance Racing Organizers:
Where To Get On The Race Track
Toronto Motorsports Park (Cayuga)
Canadian Tire Motorsports Park (CTMP / Mosport)
Canadian Tire Motorsports Park (CTMP / Mosport)
1040 Kohler Rd. Cayuga, Ont
Focused on driver development, Toronto Motorsports Park (TMP) features a 3KM road course with ample run offs and flat sightline. Two large main straight allow you to test out your horsepower while a tight technical section will challenge your cars handling limits.
With multiple public open lapping days a week,
1040 Kohler Rd. Cayuga, Ont
Focused on driver development, Toronto Motorsports Park (TMP) features a 3KM road course with ample run offs and flat sightline. Two large main straight allow you to test out your horsepower while a tight technical section will challenge your cars handling limits.
With multiple public open lapping days a week, TMP is a favorite amongst provides beginners and advanced drivers alike.
Canadian Tire Motorsports Park (CTMP / Mosport)
Canadian Tire Motorsports Park (CTMP / Mosport)
Canadian Tire Motorsports Park (CTMP / Mosport)
3233 Concession Rd 10, Bowmanville, ON
Arguably the crown jewel of the Southern Ontario, Canadian Tire Motorsports Park (CTMP) boasts two road courses. The "Grand Prix" track is a high speed 3.957KM track which is the fastest track in North America and third in the world. It is not for the faint of heart and we'd recommend taking instruc
3233 Concession Rd 10, Bowmanville, ON
Arguably the crown jewel of the Southern Ontario, Canadian Tire Motorsports Park (CTMP) boasts two road courses. The "Grand Prix" track is a high speed 3.957KM track which is the fastest track in North America and third in the world. It is not for the faint of heart and we'd recommend taking instruction or having some experience beforehand.
The "Drive Development Track" (DDT) is right next door and is a perfect place to start with a 2.88KM challenging technical layout.
Private events are the only way to experience CTMP currently
Grand Bend Motorplex
Canadian Tire Motorsports Park (CTMP / Mosport)
Shannonville Motorsports Park
70292 Grand Bend Line, Grand Bend, ON
Located in the picturesque town of Grand Bend Ontario is a multi-use motorsports facility of Grand Bend Motorplex.
Featuring a road course with 5 configurations available from 1.4km up to 2.8km in length, Grand Bend offers a significant variety to drivers. All configurations can be run in either dir
70292 Grand Bend Line, Grand Bend, ON
Located in the picturesque town of Grand Bend Ontario is a multi-use motorsports facility of Grand Bend Motorplex.
Featuring a road course with 5 configurations available from 1.4km up to 2.8km in length, Grand Bend offers a significant variety to drivers. All configurations can be run in either direction which are very safe and offers lots of runoff with no walls or major obstructions.
Grand Bend offers a number of public open lapping day during the week.
Shannonville Motorsports Park
Shannonville Motorsports Park
Shannonville Motorsports Park
7047 Old Highway 2, Shannonville, ON
Shannonville Motorsport Park is a multi-use motorsport facility located 15 km east of Belleville. It is a large facility which offers a beginner friendly multi layout road course that has flat sightlines and able runoff.
There are four road course layouts at the Shannonville Motorsports Park: the 4
7047 Old Highway 2, Shannonville, ON
Shannonville Motorsport Park is a multi-use motorsport facility located 15 km east of Belleville. It is a large facility which offers a beginner friendly multi layout road course that has flat sightlines and able runoff.
There are four road course layouts at the Shannonville Motorsports Park: the 4.03-km (2.5-mile) Long Track, the 2.47 km (1.53-mile) Pro Track, the 2.23 km (1.38-mile) Fabi Circuit, and the 1.80 km (1.12-mile) Nelson Circuit.
Public open lapping days are offered throughout the year.
Calabogie Motorsports Park
Shannonville Motorsports Park
Calabogie Motorsports Park
462 Wilson Farm Rd, Calabogie, ON
Calabogie Motorsports Park is the longest road course in Canada at 5.05KM located between Ottawa and Montreal. It is a nice amalgamation of all the different elements offered at the other tracks in Southern Ontario in one.
The track features nice elevation changes, high speed straights and tighter techni
462 Wilson Farm Rd, Calabogie, ON
Calabogie Motorsports Park is the longest road course in Canada at 5.05KM located between Ottawa and Montreal. It is a nice amalgamation of all the different elements offered at the other tracks in Southern Ontario in one.
The track features nice elevation changes, high speed straights and tighter technical sections surrounded by sprawling pine trees. There are 20 turns in the track, and its largest straight segment measures 2000 feet.
You must be signed off to drive solo, therefore there is no public open lapping for newcomers without an instructor.
Oro Station Motor Circuit
Shannonville Motorsports Park
Calabogie Motorsports Park
465 Line, 7 Line N, Oro-Medonte ON
Oro Station is a brand new master planned motorsport facility being built in Oro-Medonte on the western shores of Lake Simcoe in Simcoe County.
The full circuit will feature 14 corners at 4.1KM with two split circuit options between 1.5KM and 2.3KM long. It promises to be a state of the art facility wit
465 Line, 7 Line N, Oro-Medonte ON
Oro Station is a brand new master planned motorsport facility being built in Oro-Medonte on the western shores of Lake Simcoe in Simcoe County.
The full circuit will feature 14 corners at 4.1KM with two split circuit options between 1.5KM and 2.3KM long. It promises to be a state of the art facility with a full digital control system and the hallmarks of a traditional European circuit.
Oro Station will be a private members only facility and will not be available for open public lapping when it opens.