Doug P
10-26-2007, 08:31 AM
International Center of Advanced Racing at Mirabel Airport
Montreal, QC - In what has to have been one of the best kept secrets in Canadian motorsports, the International Center of Advanced Racing (ICAR) was debuted today to the media and driving enthuiasts at the exspansive Mirabel Airport just 20-minutes north of Montreal.
President & CEO, Frédéric Senay and his team are attempting to redefine the motorsports experience for both professionals and enthusiasts alike with a multi-faceted facility.
"We want this to be THE place for pros and amateurs alike," said Senjay. "Safety will always be first beginning with the track layout in this outstanding location."
Located on the endless tarmac of the somewhat moribund Mirabel Airport built in the 1970's, the overall impression is of a modern Sebring or Cleveland track. Ultimately the underused and unloved airport was downgraded to mostly cargo flights and maintenance plants for the likes of Bombardier. The managers of Aeroports de Montreal (ADM) and the local municipal government have been searching for the right business proposals for many years.
"Without the support of the municipality of Mirabel and the ADM this project could never happen," explained Senjay. "We have a 25 year lease with ADM. Construction and course layout began this past Spring. it is no longer a project but a reality."
Projected final cost for the multi-format track and facilities is $10 million. The tracks consist of a 1.26KM karting track and paddock, a 1/2 mile drag strip and the main 3.8KM road course which can be one of 128 configurations. Innovative technology is planned such as remote camera surveillence around the track making safety the most advanced possible.
The facilities will be serving a wide variety of racing such as the ICAR Club. Essentially a VIP car club with access to the track, a lounge and restaurant for the discriminating enthusiast.
"This is great for people with high-performance cars," said Betrand Godin, professional driver and ICAR spokesman. "Here they can try their machines to their capabilities in a safe environment instead of on the autoroutes."
The corporate world will be enticed to use the facilities for vehicle launches and press events.
There will be a karting club with arrive & drive racing in a spec kart currently under design with PSL's Domenic Labrec. Plans call for a spec series on the 19-turn track which will be completed to FIA standards.
"Perhaps we could host one race of the current karting series such as the Coupe de Montreal," commented Yan Turcotte, ICAR racing Technical Director. Look for an ICAR kart racing team appearing in 2008.
Elie Arseneau, a regular driver in Quebec karting, has been assisting Turcotte in the track design. "Our biggest goal is to have plenty of passing areas. The surface has good traction going into the corners but can be a bit slippery when putting down the power. Of course there is no rubber down at all."
Another innovation is the ICAR Academy which aims to help train young racers in sports studies and racing techniques under the guidance of ICAR's professional drivers.
Some of those ICAR drivers could likely be from the Star Mazda team that was purchased recently and to be campaigned under the ICAR Racing banner. Turcotte hopes to have a two car team fully equipped and staffed for the 2008 season. Will either of those drivers be Canadian?
"We'll have to see but we are hopeful and plan to release some news about this very soon," beamed Senjay.
So with an FIA compliant facility that boasts a complete track vantage point for spectators, can there be ambitions to host the transient ChampCar race recently bumped from Le Circuit Gilles Villeneuve to Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant? Senjay would only smile and say "We'll speak more about this later."
Plans are on schedule to have the facility completed for the Spring of 2008.
http://www.canadianracers.com/images/2007_images/icar_oct24.07_track.jpg
Montreal, QC - In what has to have been one of the best kept secrets in Canadian motorsports, the International Center of Advanced Racing (ICAR) was debuted today to the media and driving enthuiasts at the exspansive Mirabel Airport just 20-minutes north of Montreal.
President & CEO, Frédéric Senay and his team are attempting to redefine the motorsports experience for both professionals and enthusiasts alike with a multi-faceted facility.
"We want this to be THE place for pros and amateurs alike," said Senjay. "Safety will always be first beginning with the track layout in this outstanding location."
Located on the endless tarmac of the somewhat moribund Mirabel Airport built in the 1970's, the overall impression is of a modern Sebring or Cleveland track. Ultimately the underused and unloved airport was downgraded to mostly cargo flights and maintenance plants for the likes of Bombardier. The managers of Aeroports de Montreal (ADM) and the local municipal government have been searching for the right business proposals for many years.
"Without the support of the municipality of Mirabel and the ADM this project could never happen," explained Senjay. "We have a 25 year lease with ADM. Construction and course layout began this past Spring. it is no longer a project but a reality."
Projected final cost for the multi-format track and facilities is $10 million. The tracks consist of a 1.26KM karting track and paddock, a 1/2 mile drag strip and the main 3.8KM road course which can be one of 128 configurations. Innovative technology is planned such as remote camera surveillence around the track making safety the most advanced possible.
The facilities will be serving a wide variety of racing such as the ICAR Club. Essentially a VIP car club with access to the track, a lounge and restaurant for the discriminating enthusiast.
"This is great for people with high-performance cars," said Betrand Godin, professional driver and ICAR spokesman. "Here they can try their machines to their capabilities in a safe environment instead of on the autoroutes."
The corporate world will be enticed to use the facilities for vehicle launches and press events.
There will be a karting club with arrive & drive racing in a spec kart currently under design with PSL's Domenic Labrec. Plans call for a spec series on the 19-turn track which will be completed to FIA standards.
"Perhaps we could host one race of the current karting series such as the Coupe de Montreal," commented Yan Turcotte, ICAR racing Technical Director. Look for an ICAR kart racing team appearing in 2008.
Elie Arseneau, a regular driver in Quebec karting, has been assisting Turcotte in the track design. "Our biggest goal is to have plenty of passing areas. The surface has good traction going into the corners but can be a bit slippery when putting down the power. Of course there is no rubber down at all."
Another innovation is the ICAR Academy which aims to help train young racers in sports studies and racing techniques under the guidance of ICAR's professional drivers.
Some of those ICAR drivers could likely be from the Star Mazda team that was purchased recently and to be campaigned under the ICAR Racing banner. Turcotte hopes to have a two car team fully equipped and staffed for the 2008 season. Will either of those drivers be Canadian?
"We'll have to see but we are hopeful and plan to release some news about this very soon," beamed Senjay.
So with an FIA compliant facility that boasts a complete track vantage point for spectators, can there be ambitions to host the transient ChampCar race recently bumped from Le Circuit Gilles Villeneuve to Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant? Senjay would only smile and say "We'll speak more about this later."
Plans are on schedule to have the facility completed for the Spring of 2008.
http://www.canadianracers.com/images/2007_images/icar_oct24.07_track.jpg