From karts to racing Components Fords towards the likes of Spencer Pigot and Kyle Marcelli to setting the LMP3 lap file in final yr’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race whereas making an attempt to chase down Colin Braun, Garett Grist has virtually grown up at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, or because it was recognized when he started racing there, Mosport.

“It’s quick. I imply, that’s the very first thing that involves thoughts – Flip 1, Flip 2, Flip 8 on the finish of the backstraight … it’s a traditional, simply flat-out quick, high-speed observe,” Grist says. “After I did it in Components Ford, it was grass in every single place. So in the event you made a mistake, you weren’t stopping it. Now, they’ve sort of taken a little bit of that threat issue away with paving all of the areas so it’s not as old-school, high-risk; however nonetheless on the speeds we go, the pavement is just going to take action a lot on the runoff, proper? I feel that’s what units it aside. Watkins Glen is a bit like that as nicely with the excessive velocity, however Mosport simply takes you to a complete new stage.”

Grist, who’s within the No. 30 Jr III Racing Ligier with Ari Balogh as he has been for the 2 years, really grew up on the opposite aspect of the lake from CTMP, nevertheless it has all the time been his house observe, and he’s put in additional than his share laps on the circuit. So he appeared like a pure alternative to speak RACER across the scenic 2.459 mile, 10-turn clockwise Ontario observe.

“Flip 1 is fourth or fifth gear, sort of only a raise,” he says of the quick right-hander. “Flip 2 is a bit little bit of brake, no downshift. These are the 2 quick, high-commitment turns. Flip 3 you get out broad fairly early. So there I feel you noticed, in observe final yr, a few crashes with individuals dropping wheel at exit. I feel 4 and 5 might be essentially the most enjoyable part. Flat right down to 4 after which the one massive brake zone at Mosport is into 5A-B.

“You then’re specializing in getting a very good exit from 5B as a result of it leads up the large hill and the lengthy again straight. Once more most likely considered one of your solely passing alternatives is into 8, which continues to be tough as a result of 8 is only a brush of the brake, sort of like Flip 2. It’s all about simply carrying a lot velocity at Mosport. After which ust a little bit of a brake once more for 9 and a little bit of a brake once more for for T10, and the lap’s carried out. It’s a fast, high-speed lap. Undoubtedly a really enjoyable observe to drive however very difficult for racing. It’s onerous to get shut and also you hope the man makes a mistake in 5 and you will get a run down the again straight.”

Grist accomplished a check at CTMP final week, and notes that the cruel winter has left the observe a bit bumpier than final yr, nevertheless it shouldn’t damage lap occasions on the quickest observe on the IMSA schedule – Tom Blomqvist’s observe file of 137.472mph set in qualifying final yr is the quickest lap turned on any of the sequence circuits. Grist’s quick lap within the race final yr was 122.063mph.

The 2h40m Chevrolet Grand Prix for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship begins at midday ET with stay protection on NBC.