Mosport Counts Down to Canada's Biggest Sports Car Race

Courtesy Ryan Chalmers / Mosport

(BOWMANVILLE, ON – July 29, 2010) The top sports car racing teams and an international field of drivers from 13 countries will arrive at Mosport International Raceway in one month's time as Mosport's 50th anniversary season culminates with the Mobil 1 presents The Grand Prix of Mosport featuring the American Le Mans Series, August 26-29.

The highlight of the Mobil 1 presents the Grand Prix of Mosport will be the prestigious American Le Mans Series, now with Tequila Patron as a presenting sponsor, making their only stop north of the border in 2010. It will be the eighth of nine rounds, making this race critical in the chase for the championships in the Prototype and GT classes.

The world leader in green racing boasts more top manufacturers than Formula 1, NASCAR and IndyCar combined. The elite marques that run in the series include Acura, Aston Martin, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Ford, Jaguar, Mazda, Panoz and Porsche.

2010 marks the second year for the Michelin Green X Challenge, a revolutionary competition that rewards Series teams (one prototype and one GT) for their overall performance and environmental impact at each event. The Michelin Green X Challenge is also a season long points championship for both race teams and manufacturers.

Toronto's own Tony Burgess will be looking to make some noise at his home track in the Autocon Motorsports Lola, in the top-level LMP class. Kyle Marcelli of Barrie has made a successful jump to the LMPC class this year and he will co-pilot the #89 Intersport Racing Oreca FLM09. Current point's leaders David Brabham and Simon Pagenaud will look to drive their Patron Highcroft Racing ARX-01 to yet another victory this season in the LMP ranks. Brabham, who drove with Scott Sharp last season, were the victors in the 2009 Grand Prix of Mosport. For Brabham, this race will mark the 100th time that he has drove under the ALMS banner.

In addition to the American Le Mans Series, four popular series, the Star Mazda Championship, Cooper Tires Prototype Lites, Playboy MX-5 Cup and the Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship will also take to the 3.957 km Mosport circuit. The Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear continues their season with round 12 of 13. David Ostella and Michael Furfari of Toronto will have a GTA hometown edge. Quebec City's Mikael Grenier will also represent Canada in this open-wheel series.

Cooper Tires Prototype Lites, the developmental sports car championship, that runs a three-class format race, based on driver's skill levels.

Lites 1 is for the more advanced racers, Lites 2 is a mid-level class and Lites 3 is the entry level class. The Cooper Tires Prototype Lites will run a doubleheader at Mosport which will be rounds 12 and 13.

The U.S. based Playboy MX-5 Cup returns to Mosport and will feature Vancouver native Max Riddle. The MX-5 Cup is an entry level production car-based competition giving drivers an opportunity to race in similarly prepared, low-cost cars with limited modifications.

The country's top sedan road-racing series, the Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship, will make its third and final stop of 2010 at Mosport, boasting a field of more than 30 cars, competing in two distinct classes, Touring and Super Touring. This will be a doubleheader weekend for the Championship. In the Super Touring class, Nick Wittmer of Montreal has a sizable 147 point lead over Toronto's Dave Ciekiewicz. Thornhill native Anthony Rapone, winner of two Series races at Mosport earlier this year, holds a 106 point advantage in the championship standings over Markham's Tom Kwok.

Mobil 1 presents The Grand Prix of Mosport features a wide-array of fun things away from the track for fans to see and do, such as Tech Talks, Driver Chats and an autograph session with American Le Mans Series drivers and teams and vendors selling authentic race-related merchandise. The American Le Mans Series will also feature its famous Open Grid Walk on race day, giving fans an up-close, interactive experience with the teams and drivers on track just minutes prior to the drop of the green flag.

The action kicks-off on Thursday (August 26) with a full-day of testing for all series' except the American Le Mans Series. Friday (August 27) will see practice sessions for all supporting series' and the American Le Mans Series will hold their testing. Saturday's (August 28) schedule starts with both practice and qualifying in the morning, followed by races for Star Mazda Championship, Cooper Tires Lites and the Castrol Touring Car Championship. Sunday (August 29) morning opens with more qualifying and then races in Playboy MX-5 Cup, Castrol Touring, Cooper Lites and the two-hour, 45 minute feature American Le Mans Series race to close out the weekend.

A four-day SuperTicket is just $65 until August 25 ($80 at the Gate). Each ticket includes parking, access to the race team paddock, Mosport Expo and Marketplace and admission to Mosport Speedway's Saturday Night Stock Car racing, located on the grounds. As with all Mosport events, children 12 and under are admitted for free when accompanied by a paid adult admission. Single day tickets are also available.

Family and general camping areas are available. An advanced general camping pass is just $35 for the weekend when purchased before August 25 (tents or pop-up trailers). Advance RV passes are $55. There are full-service washrooms and located on the Mosport grounds.

For the spectators that like to get closer to the action, the Grand Prix Club offers a VIP hospitality package which includes a fully catered BBQ lunch, beverages and bar service (beer and wine) on Sunday. The GP Club Chalet tent is located trackside overlooking the start/finish straight and corner one. Passes are just $200 and are also good for admission to the event on Friday and Saturday.

For more information and to purchase tickets call the Mosport Hotline at 1-800-866-1072 (Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm ET), visit online at www.mosport.com, or email info@mosport.com.