Corvette Racing in Downtown Toronto

"chaozbandit" (chaozbandit) 07/08/2016 at 15:00 • Filed to: toronto, ctmp, mosport, corvette racing

1

0

CTMP puts on this event every year, but this is the first time I’ve been able to attend. A C7.R GTLM in the heart of downtown? Wouldn’t miss it for anything!

I had arrived pretty late and unsurprisingly Yonge Dundas Square was packed with people (families and business persons alike) on their lunch breaks. I had initially thought it would just be a static demo, because surely the City of Toronto wouldn’t approve such a noise violation right? Wrong.

Not only did they approve it, but they were running full on simulated pit stops! 4-5 stops per hour (11-12 seconds each) with Ron Fellows at the wheel, burnouts included as indicated by the starting area.

Alongside the GTLM car, CTMP brought along other familiar faces that would be in attendance this weekend at the track for the Mobil1 SportsCar Grand Prix. A familiar S3 from Compass360 (no longer wearing TE37SLs, unfortunately) and the brand new MX5 Global Cup.

WTR and the two Taylor brothers were also present, the jokesters, along with their #10 demo car which as most of you know is up for sale at the moment.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Of course, I only had brief glimpses at the static models because the unmistakable sound of a V8 starting up was my signal to head back to the fence.

These boys sure put in the effort that afternoon because it was 35C (95F) at high noon. Another quick tire change and the car was off, though Ron did stall it a few times.

Oh, and the Corvette Racing trailer had a little blue toy hidden behind it.

With Ron Fellows in attendance, it would only make sense to bring one of the cars from his fleet at the driving school. All of them are C7 Z06s, but I think only one of them is white. Maybe two.

When he did get it hooked up, the rear tires lit up in spectacular fashion. It’s just as impressive as it appears on TV but in person, this close to the car, and with the exhausts facing you - its just so violent.

It was nearing the end of the event and the crew was ever so consistent. After finally putting in a sub 10 second stop, they decided to go on for two more attempts to try and beat it. A much deserve break was given...

...and they were at it again. You never really notice how far these cars drop when the pistons are retracted until you shoot a burst and track the height. This is the car fully bottomed out, splitter near touching, before it returned to normal ride height 5cm (2in) above this point.

A sneaky peak at the safety cell that Pratt & Miller pride themselves on.

Then they opened the gates and let everybody get up close to the car, and Fellows. I think its safe to say there were a lot of new race fans after this.

Near seamless integration of their Bosch rear-facing camera system.

Two of the key players that made it happen.

And then it was time to pack up.

With that, it was time to make the trip back to Bowmanville so that the teams could prepare for the upcoming practice and qualifying sessions. It’s going to be another scorcher of a weekend at the track, with intermittent periods of rain. I myself have a weekend pass but due to other commitments will only be able to make it on the Sunday, though I will be there from dawn to dusk.

Who else will be at Mosport? Be sure to share pics!

IG: chaozbandit