Michelin prepares for Grand Prix of Mosport

The iconic 10-turn, 2.459-mile circuit boasts a rich history, including F1, Can-Am and, more recently, ALMS races where Michelin has taken the overall win in each of the past six seasons. The track lap record is over 138 miles per hour.

“In Europe, a lot of the modern tracks have lost their original shape due to F1 configurations, but Mosport is one of those tracks that separates the men from the boys,” said defending race champion Klaus Graf, driver of the Muscle Milk Aston Martin Racing prototype.

“The high-speed corners, elevation changes and aged track surface combine to produce exceptionally high loads on tires, as drivers seek to trim out aerodynamic downforce and rely on tires for mechanical grip,” said Karl Koenigstein, Michelin ALMS technical team leader.

”We want our Michelin tires and the car set-up to provide the confidence and consistency each driver needs to perform at the limits on a very unforgiving circuit,” said Koenigstein. “A driver needs to be totally committed in order to be fast at Mosport. In that regard, it is very much like Le Mans, but with no place to rest.”

The fourth race of the 2011 ALMS season, Mosport is expected to play a pivotal role in the season-long championships. Graf and co-driver Lucas Luhr, winners of the Grand Prix of Long Beach, currently trail Northeast Grand Prix of Lime Rock-winning rival Dyson Racing Mazda in the ALMS Prototype point standings.

In the GT category, the 2011 Le Mans-winning Corvette Racing team, Mosport defending champions Flying Lizard Porsche and the Ferraris of Risi Competizione and Extreme Speed Motorsports look to end the ALMS streak of the rival BMW Team RLL.