Michelin “commit to maximum performance” at CTMP

Michelin technical partner teams and drivers will be counting on Michelin technology and experience to provide them the confidence essential for success as the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship makes its sole visit to Canada for the Mobil 1 SportsCar Grand Prix, July 12.
 
“The track’s proper name is Canadian Tire Motorsport Park or (CTMP), and in effect, CTMP can also stand for “’Commitment To Maximum Performance,” said Chris Baker, director of motorsports for Michelin North America.
 
Created decades ago in an era of bold track designs that rewarded bravery and severely punished every mistake, CTMP is what drivers respectfully refer to as a “big commitment” track.
 
“Canadian Tire Motorsport Park is the only track that we race on in the TUDOR Championship that has the word ‘Tire’ in its formal name and that is appropriate as tire performance is essential to success here,” said Baker.
 
“The vertical and lateral tire loads at CTMP are quite high,” said Baker. “We rely on our experience at high energy tracks like Road Atlanta, Watkins Glen and here to deliver the consistently high levels of grip, cornering power and braking efficiency that our drivers must have in order to commit themselves to every corner, every lap.”
 
“The top drivers, like those aboard our factory linked Michelin technical partner GTLM class teams from Corvette Racing, BMW Team RLL, Porsche North America and Risi Competizione love racing here,” said Baker. “This is a driver’s track and the cream rises to the top.” High levels of mechanical grip are essential as teams look to reduce aerodynamic drag in order to maximize straight line speed.
 
The differences in lap times are magnified for any drivers not fully confident in their cars, teams or with tires that do not deliver the performance and tread life demanded.
 
Located northeast of Toronto’s growing metropolitan area, the 2.459-mile, 10-turn CTMP circuit’s high speed corners, blind rises and limited run offs provide both opportunities and risks on every lap. With a 25 car field featuring three different classes and a relatively short lap time of 70-76 seconds per lap, drivers must be aggressive in traffic and be able to complete offline passes.
 
The two-hour 45-minute race, broadcast live on FOX Sports 1, kicks off the second half of the TUDOR Championship for the GTLM class. Corvette Racing’s Jan Magnussen and Antonio Garcia are currently tied atop the driver championship standings with BMW Team RLL’s Bill Auberlen and Dirk Werner. Although, currently limited to GTLM as the only TUDOR Championship class offering open tire competition, Michelin has taken 21 of a possible 22 class wins at CTMP since 2007.