For racing enthusiasts who live in Ontario, Mosport is an almost mythical place. It has seen the birth and heyday of series like the Trans Am and Can Am. It has played host to the Canadian Grand Prix. All of the great drivers from every decade from the Sixties onwards have driven at Mosport and called it one of the best tracks in the world. Corner 2 has often been called one of the most difficult corners on any track in the world. There are stories of victory and tragedy. There is even a long standing rumor that an old open wheeler (I can’t recall, if it was a Grand Prix or Formula Junior car) is buried somewhere near the turn 2 tunnel.
“we headed north into the country like Knights Templar in search of the Holy Grail.”
The Holy Grail indeed.
How many young men have hopped into a sports car and gone in search of their own Holy Grail. In this case, a young Christopher Ennis and his pal were in search of a race track that was rumored to be under construction. The year was 1960 and their steed…a Bugeye Sprite. How fitting then that they eventually found their Grail and managed a somewhat soggy lap.
Fitting also that this weekend, when the Can Am cars return to our Avalon, that the Toronto Star should publish Mr. Ennis’ tale of sports car enlightenment. While many may disagree, I think Mr. Ennis’ story may be the most historically significant story that The Star’s Wheels section has ever published!
Truly, this tale exemplifies the freedom and excitement that characterized the sports car revolution of the late Fifties and early Sixties. Well done Chris and congratulations on accomplishing your mission 48 years ago.
When I first met my wife she owned a Bug Eye and every time I took a hard left the distributor would fall out killing the engine because the hold down was broken. But we could go like hell around the right handers!
I too took a lap of Mosport before it was paved in my street MGA. I forget the date but it was dry. I also forget where we snuck in but we also discovered the ditch safely. We drove back the other way until we came to the ditch. It was awsome. That MG became my 1st race car and after my 1st race at Greenacres (the last race there) I took my CASC drivers’ school at Mosport. I raced it with a notable lack of success at Mosport. I was far more successful with assorted MGB’s (none mine) and later with my Elva MK6 Climax. In my opinion turn 4 was more difficult to really master than 2 but then I loved 4 and it became my favourite spot to pass.