Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

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Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course logo.svg

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Layout
LocationTroy Township, Morrow County, at 7721 Steam Corners Road, Lexington, Ohio
Time zoneUTC-5 (UTC-4 DST)
Coordinates40°41′21.46″N 82°38′10.94″W / 40.6892944°N 82.6363722°W / 40.6892944; -82.6363722Coordinates: 40°41′21.46″N 82°38′10.94″W / 40.6892944°N 82.6363722°W / 40.6892944; -82.6363722
CapacityBleachers: 12,000
Open seating: 75,000
FIA Grade2
OwnerGreen Savoree Racing Promotions
OperatorGreen Savoree Racing Promotions
Opened1962
Major eventsCurrent:
IndyCar Series
Honda Indy 200 (2007–present)
IMSA SportsCar Championship
Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio (2001–2002, 2004–2012, 2018–2022)
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
O'Reilly Auto Parts 150 at Mid-Ohio (2022)
FR Americas
(2018, 2020–present)
ARCA Menards Series
Dawn 150 (1965, 2021–present)
Trans-Am Series
(1967–1972, 1982–1983, 1985–1994, 1997–1999, 2001–2002, 2009, 2012–present)
Former:
NASCAR Xfinity Series
B&L Transport 170 (2013–2021)
Americas Rallycross Championship (2019)
Pirelli World Challenge
(1994, 1997–1999, 2002–2017)
AMA Superbike Championship
Honda Super Cycle Weekend presented by Dunlop Tire (1983–2014)
Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series
EMCO Gears Classic presented by KeyBank (2000–2001, 2003–2013)
CART
Champ Car Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio
(1980, 1983–2003)
Second Road Course (1990–present)
Length2.258 miles (3.634 km)
Turns13
Race lap record1:05.2600 (Australia Will Power, Dallara DW12, 2016, IndyCar)
Original Road Course (1963–present)
Length2.400 miles (3.862 km)
Turns15
Race lap record1:19.984 (Colombia Roberto Guerrero, March 87C, 1987, CART)

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is a road course auto racing facility located in Troy Township, Morrow County, Ohio, United States, just outside the village of Lexington. Mid-Ohio has also colloquially become a term for the entire north-central region of the state, from south of Sandusky to the north of Columbus. It hosts a number of racing series such as IndyCar, IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship, and the NASCAR Xfinity Series, along with other club events such has SCCA and National Auto Sport Association.

The track

IMSA GTP cars compete at Mid-Ohio in 1991

The track opened as a 15-turn, 2.400 mi (3.862 km) road circuit run clockwise. The back portion of the track allows speeds approaching 180 mph (290 km/h). A separate starting line is located on the backstretch to allow for safer rolling starts. The regular start/finish line is located on the pit straight.

In 1990 the track underwent a refurbishment. A new retaining wall was built, the entire track was resurfaced, widened and concrete was paved in the apexes of the turns to prevent asphalt deterioration. In addition, a straightaway was paved through the chicane, allowing for two different track layouts, the original 2.400 mi (3.862 km) circuit and a new 13-turn, 2.258 mi (3.634 km) circuit. In 1990, the CART series, along with other racing series, began utilizing the 2.258 mi (3.634 km) layout.

In 2006 a second major refurbishment saw several improvements. The entire circuit was repaved and the concrete patches in the turn apexes were removed. A new motorcycle "short course" was created by connecting turn one with the backstretch and another motorcycle oval was created by connecting the chicane straight with the backstretch. The additional layouts allow simultaneous use of the multiple course, for instructional and competitive uses. The improvements also included a motocross facility, that has since been used for the AMA Vintage Motorcycle days event.

In 2019 the ARX came to the track which was the first time rallycross had come to the circuit. The course was a 10-turn, 0.7 mi (1.1 km) and utilized the keyhole section of the track.

There is grandstand seating for 12,000 spectators and three observation mounds alongside the track raise the capacity to over 75,000. Mid-Ohio is classified as an FIA Grade Two circuit.[1]

History

Emerson Fittipaldi navigates the Keyhole section of the course in a Penske Racing IndyCar in 1992

The track was opened in 1962 by Les Griebling and several Mansfield-area businessmen as a location for weekend sports car racing. The track originally had 16 turns, with a left turn in what is today known as "thunder valley," but the turn was straightened after just one year of operation due to complaints of the track being too slow. The track hosted Can-am and F5000 through the 1970s and in 1980, it would host its first CART race with Johnny Rutherford taking victory with Chaparral.

In 1982 Mid-Ohio was purchased by Jim Trueman, a renowned road racer and the founder of Red Roof Inns. Trueman added permanent grandstands, amphitheater-style seating, garages with spectator balconies, a five-story media and hospitality center, tunnels and an updated paddock area. In addition, a tall, three-sided scoreboard tower was constructed in the infield, strategically placed such that it was visible from nearly all spectator areas around the track. In 1986 Trueman had died from cancer, making his wife and daughter taking over management for the facility. In 1989 Truman's daughter, Michelle Trueman, was named the president of the circuit in 1989 and saw day-to-day operations of the track.

In 1990 the track underwent a refurbishment. A new retaining wall was built, the entire track was resurfaced, widened, and concrete was paved in the apexes of the turns to prevent asphalt deterioration. In addition, a straightaway was paved through the chicane, allowing for two different track layouts, the original 2.400 mi (3.862 km) circuit and a new 13-turn, 2.258 mi (3.634 km) circuit.

In 2006 the track again underwent extensive renovation. The track and pit lane were completely resurfaced and connectors were added to the track's famed Keyhole section to allow for three separate road course configurations. Also completed was the removal of concrete patches from the track, the relocation of the wall and guardrail at Turn 1, the expansion of gravel traps at the exits of Turn 1 and the keyhole, the replacement of all remaining old-style catch fencing and the standardization of curbing throughout the circuit. These changes have resulted in a faster, safer, more competitive and attractive facility for drivers, riders and race fans.

On March 2, 2011, it was announced that the track had been purchased from Truesports by Green Savoree Racing Promotions, which also promotes other IndyCar races, ending Truesports' 29 years of ownership.[2]

Race history

Main articles: Honda 200, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Showdown, and B&L Transport 170

The course had first hosted SportsCar racing in 1963 as part of the United States Road Racing Championship. The race was 168 mi (270 km) and was won by Ken Miles. The race would be held until the race series was folded in 1968, but the race would return as a 6-hour enduro under the IMSA GT championship in 1972. The track would also hold the U.S. Formula 5000 series from 1970 to 1976 and was replaced by the revived Can-Am series in 1977–1980. The track continued to host IMSA GT until 1993, and would not return until 2000 with Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series. The track would also add the American Le Mans series the next year. The track continued to host the two series until 2012 when ALMS dropped the race, Grand-Am would follow suit the next year. In 2018, track would host the WeatherTech SportsCar championship.

Mid-Ohio would host its first CART race in 1980 as a 156 mi (251 km), 65 lap race. There would be a brief hiatus as the race would not return until 1983, and the race would be extended as a 200 mi (320 km) race. CART appeared annually until 2003, when CART president Chris Pook hinted at dropping Mid-Ohio from the CART schedule going forward, citing various issues. For many years, Mid-Ohio was on the schedule alongside the Grand Prix of Cleveland, and Pook stated it was not viable to have two races in such close proximity, and favored keeping the race at Cleveland instead. In addition, some observers felt that the powerful Champ Cars had "outgrown" the narrow, winding course, citing a lack of passing and competition over the previous several years. The race would return in 2007 under the Indy racing league and would partner as a doubleheader with the American Le Mans Series until 2012 when ALMS dropped the circuit from the calendar. The race has also featured support series such as the Road to Indy, Global Mazda MX-5 Cup, and Stadium Super Trucks.[3] In 2015, hometown favorite Graham Rahal won at Mid-Ohio for the first time, thirty years after his father, Bobby Rahal, won his first race at the track. Scott Dixon has the most wins at the track with six.

In 2013, the track hosted its first NASCAR event as a 200 mi (320 km) race with the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The length of the race was shortened in 2018 to 170 mi (270 km). The race has partnered with Trans-Am, Stadium Super Trucks, F4 United States Championship and partnered ARCA in 2020. Unlike most of the events held at the track, the Xfinity Series uses the normal start/finish line located on the pit straight to start the races, instead of the start line on the back straight. NASCAR realigned the race in 2022, moving it to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

Lap Records

The unofficial lap record is 1:03.8700, set by Simon Pagenaud during the qualifying of the 2016 Honda Indy 200. The fastest official race lap records on the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course are listed as:

Category Time Driver Vehicle Date
Second Road Course (without Chicane before The Keyhole): 3.634 km (1990–present)[4]
IndyCar 1:05.2600 Will Power Dallara DW12 2016 Honda Indy 200
CART 1:06.788 Juan Pablo Montoya Reynard 99I 1999 Miller Lite 200
LMP1 1:10.034[5] Marco Werner Audi R10 TDI 2008 Sports Car Challenge of Mid-Ohio
LMP2 1:10.113[6] Romain Dumas Porsche RS Spyder Evo 2007 Sports Car Challenge of Mid-Ohio
Indy Lights 1:11.580[7] Jack Harvey Dallara IL-15 2015 Indy Lights Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio
GTP 1:11.708[8] P. J. Jones Eagle MkIII 1993 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
DPi 1:12.188[9] Kevin Magnussen Cadillac DPi-V.R 2021 Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio
Formula Atlantic 1:13.812[10] Jonathan Summerton Swift 016.a 2009 Acura Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio
LMP900 1:14.784[11] Tom Kristensen Audi R8 2001 Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio
Indy Pro 2000 1:16.331[12] Rinus VeeKay Tatuus PM-18 2018 Indy Pro 2000 Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio
GT1 (GTS) 1:17.186[6] Jan Magnussen Chevrolet Corvette C6.R 2007 Sports Car Challenge of Mid-Ohio
LMP3 1:17.179[13] Mike Skeen Ligier JS P320 2021 Mid-Ohio IMSA Prototype Challenge round
LMP675 1:17.208[14] Jon Field MG-Lola EX257 2002 American Le Mans at Mid-Ohio
Daytona Prototype 1:17.582[15] Brian Frisselle Corvette Daytona Prototype 2013 Diamond Cellar Classic
WSC 1:17.589[16] Butch Leitzinger Riley & Scott Mk III 2000 U.S. Road Racing Classic
GT1 (Prototype) 1:18.019[17] David Brabham Panoz GTR-1 1998 U.S. Road Racing Classic
LM GTE 1:19.086[18] Laurens Vanthoor Porsche 911 RSR 2019 Sports Car Challenge of Mid-Ohio
F3 Americas 1:19.631[19] Kyle Kirkwood Ligier JS F3 2018 Mid-Ohio F3 Americas round
GTP Lights 1:20.523[8] Parker Johnstone Spice SE93P 1993 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
GT3 1:20.536[9] Jack Hawksworth Lexus RC F GT3 2018 Acura Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio
US F2000 1:21.297[20] Kyle Kirkwood Tatuus USF-17 2018 Cooper Tires USF2000 Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio
GTS 1:21.631[21] Tom Kendall Ford Mustang 1993 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
Production car 1:21.767[22] Feras Qartoumy Corvette Z06 2021 Gridlife Mid Summer Meet
GTO 1:23.160[23] Pete Halsmer Mazda RX-7 1990 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
GTO 1:25.122[16] Terry Borcheller Saleen Mustang 2000 U.S. Road Racing Classic
Formula 4 1:25.737[24] Kyle Kirkwood Crawford F4-16 2017 Mid-Ohio F4 United States round
Stock car racing 1:25.897[25] Austin Cindric
Cole Custer		 Ford Mustang 2019 B&L Transport 170
USRRC GT2 1:26.272[26] Stephane Roy Mosler Intruder 1999 U.S. Road Racing Classic
American GT 1:27.322[27] Tony Ave Ford Mustang 2001 U.S. Road Racing Classic
GT4 1:27.323[28] Alec Udell Mercedes-AMG GT4 2020 Mid-Ohio 120
USF Juniors 1:27.563[29] Alessandro De Tullio Ligier JS F4 2022 Cooper Tires Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio
GT 1:27.715[27] Randy Pobst Porsche 911 (996) GT3-RS 2001 U.S. Road Racing Classic
Pickup truck racing 1:27.745[30] Parker Kligerman Chevrolet Silverado NASCAR 2022 O'Reilly Auto Parts 150 at Mid-Ohio
Super Touring 1:28.181[31] David Donohue Dodge Stratus 1997 Mid-Ohio NATCC round
GTU 1:28.344[16] Darren Law Porsche 911 (996) GT3-R 2000 U.S. Road Racing Classic
TCR Touring Car 1:28.884[28] Mat Pombo Honda Civic Type R TCR (FK8) 2021 Mid-Ohio 120
USRRC GT3 1:28.918[26] David Murry Porsche 911 Carrera RSR (993) 1999 U.S. Road Racing Classic
GTU 1:29.380[23] Stu Hayner Dodge Daytona 1990 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
AAC 1:31.360[32] Rick Dittman Oldsmobile Cutlass 1991 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
Original Road Course (with Chicane before The Keyhole): 3.862 km (1963–present)[4]
CART 1:19.984[33] Roberto Guerrero March 87C 1987 Escort Radar Warning 200
GTP 1:20.920[34] Jan Lammers Jaguar XJR-10 1989 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
Can-Am 1:22.219[35] Al Holbert VDS-001 1982 Valvoline Budweiser/7-Eleven Can-Am
F5000 1:22.285[36] Al Unser Lola T332 1975 Buckeye Cup
Formula Atlantic 1:25.920[37] Whitney Ganz Ralt RT4 1982 Red Roff Inns Formula Atlantic Challenge
Group 6 1:27.260[38] Jim Trueman Ralt RT2 1981 Mid-Ohio 500
GTO 1:27.600[39] Wally Dallenbach Jr. Mercury Cougar XR-7 1989 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
GTP Lights 1:27.810[34] Charles Morgan Spice SE89P 1989 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
Group 5 1:29.350[38] Rolf Stommelen Porsche 935 1981 Mid-Ohio 500
Trans-Am 1:30.900[40] Scott Pruett Merkur XR4Ti 1987 Mid-Ohio Trans-Am round
GTU 1:34.020[39] Joe Varde Dodge Daytona 1989 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
Group 4 sports car 1:34.150[38] Dennis Aase BMW M1 1981 Mid-Ohio 500
AC 1:35.980[39] Clay Young Pontiac Grand Prix 1989 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
Group 3 GT 1:51.000[41] Tom Payne[a]
Ken Miles[a]
Bob Johnson[a]
 Shelby Cobra 1964 USRRC Mid-Ohio

The Mid-Ohio School

Founded in 1993, The Mid-Ohio School offers licensed drivers and motorcycle riders programs in defensive driving, high performance driving and performance track riding programs. Students in each course partake in classroom and private instruction and group drills. Participants test their newly refined skills in the controlled environment of the facility's Vehicle Dynamics Center and on the track.

The Mid-Ohio School is AAA Approved and recognized as a recent recipient of the Ohio State Highway Patrol's Partners for Safety award. 18 programs are available to drivers and riders of all ages and ability levels from defensive driving programs for teens and adults, on-track high performance courses for the automotive enthusiasts to current and aspiring racers.

There have been over 50,000 graduates from the Mid-Ohio School, including 18,500 teenagers and 13,300 motorcycle riders.

Notes

  1. ^ a b c All three drivers set the same lap time in this race independently.

References

  1. ^ "List of FIA licensed circuits" (Press release). Federation Internationale de l'Automobile. December 14, 2018. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  2. ^ Green Savoree Racing Buys Mid-Ohio Course Archived 2011-03-04 at the Wayback Machine, Ultimate Motorcycling, March 2, 2011, Retrieved 2011-03-02
  3. ^ "Scott Dixon wins again at Mid-Ohio". Galion Inquirer. July 29, 2019. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Mid-Ohio". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  5. ^ "American Le Mans Series Mid-Ohio 2008". Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  6. ^ a b "American Le Mans Series Mid-Ohio 2007". Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  7. ^ "2015 Indy Lights Mid Ohio Session Facts". Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Mid-Ohio 2 Hours 1993". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  9. ^ a b "2021 Acura Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio Provisional Results" (PDF). Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  10. ^ "Acura Sports Car Challenge of Mid Ohio". Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  11. ^ "2001 RACE RESULTS/OFFICIAL RESULTS". Archived from the original on 9 January 2008. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  12. ^ "2018 Indy Pro 2000 Championship Mid-Ohio". Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  13. ^ "2021 Mid-Ohio IMSA Prototype Challenge Provisional Race Results" (PDF). Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  14. ^ "2002 RACE RESULTS/OFFICIAL RESULTS" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 October 2005. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  15. ^ "Grand-Am Mid-Ohio 2013". Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  16. ^ a b c "Mid-Ohio 250 Miles 2000". Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  17. ^ "USRRC Mid-Ohio 1998". Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  18. ^ "2019 Acura Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio Official Results" (PDF). Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  19. ^ "2018 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course - Round 6 Official Race Result" (PDF). Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  20. ^ "2018 USF2000 National Championship Mid-Ohio Session Facts". Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  21. ^ "Mid-Ohio 1 Hour IMSA GTS 1993". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  22. ^ "2021 Gridlife Mid Summer Meet Mid Ohio Race Results".
  23. ^ a b "Mid-Ohio 250 Kilometres IMSA GTO 1990". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  24. ^ "2017 Formula 4 United States Championship Round 12 Final Results" (PDF). Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  25. ^ "NASCAR XFINITY 2019 Mid-Ohio". Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  26. ^ a b "USRRC Mid-Ohio 1999". Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  27. ^ a b "Mid-Ohio 250 Miles 2001". Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  28. ^ a b "2021 Mid-Ohio 120 Provisional Results" (PDF). Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  29. ^ "2022 Mid-Ohio USF Juniors Race 1 Statistics". Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  30. ^ "2022 Mid-Ohio 150 Race Results". Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  31. ^ "Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Round 14 Results". Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  32. ^ "Mid-Ohio 1 Hour IMSA GT 1991". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  33. ^ "1987 Mid-Ohio Champ Cars". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  34. ^ a b "Mid-Ohio 500 Kilometres 1989". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  35. ^ "Can-Am Mid-Ohio 1982". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  36. ^ "1975 Mid-Ohio F5000". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  37. ^ "Mid Ohio Sports Car Course Red Roff Inns Formula atlantic Challenge, June 27 Juin 1982". Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  38. ^ a b c "Mid-Ohio 500 Kilometres 1981". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  39. ^ a b c "Mid-Ohio 200 Kilometres IMSA GTO 1989". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  40. ^ "Trans-Am Mid-Ohio 1987". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  41. ^ "USRRC Mid-Ohio - GT Race 1964". Retrieved 10 May 2022.

External links

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