Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Layout
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; -82.6363722
CapacityBleachers: 12,000
Open seating: 75,000
FIA Grade2
OwnerGreen Savoree Racing Promotions (March 2011–present)
OperatorGreen Savoree Racing Promotions (March 2011–present)
Opened1962
Major eventsCurrent:
TCR World Tour (2024)
IndyCar Series
Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio (2007–present)
ARCA Menards Series
Zinsser SmartCoat 150 (1965, 2021–present)
Trans-Am Series
(1967–1972, 1982–1983, 1985–1994, 1997–1999, 2001–2002, 2009, 2012–present)
MotoAmerica (1983–2014, 2024)
Future:
Former:
IMSA SportsCar Championship
Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio (1963–1968, 1972–1979, 1981–1993, 2001–2002, 2004–2012, 2018–2022)
NASCAR Xfinity Series
B&L Transport 170 (2013–2021)
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
O'Reilly Auto Parts 150 at Mid-Ohio (2022–2023)
Pirelli World Challenge
(1994, 1997–1999, 2002–2017)
SCCA Runoffs (1994–2005, 2016)
Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series (2000–2001, 2003–2013)
CART
Champ Car Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio
(1980, 1983–2003)
Websitehttp://www.midohio.com/
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. It hosts a number of racing series such as IndyCar, IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship, and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, along with other club events such has SCCA and National Auto Sport Association.

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]

The track

IMSA GTP cars compete at Mid-Ohio in 1991

The track opened in 1962 as a 16-turn road course run clockwise. After only one year, the "Oak Tree Bend" series of turns (in the northeast corner) was removed due to being too slow. It was replaced by the "Thunder Valley" downhill straight, which remains to the present day. For 1963 and beyond, a 15-turn, 2.40 mi (3.86 km) layout was established. The back portion of the track allows speeds approaching 200 mph (320 km/h). A separate starting line and flagstand is situated on the backstretch to allow for safer and more competitive 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 segment was paved through the chicane, allowing for two different track layouts, the original 2.40 mi (3.86 km) circuit and a new 13-turn, 2.258 mi (3.634 km) circuit which bypasses the chicane. Major series including CART/Champ Car, IndyCar, IMSA, and NASCAR have mostly elected to bypass the chicane, while motorcycles and amateur/club racing typically use the 2.4-mile layout (with the chicane).

In 2006 another 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/autocross oval was created by connecting the chicane straight with the backstretch. The additional layouts allow simultaneous use of the multiple courses, 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.

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

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 Craftsman Truck Series.

Events

Current
Former

Lap records

The unofficial lap record is 1:03.8700, set by Simon Pagenaud during the qualifying of the 2016 Honda Indy 200. As of July 2023, the fastest official race lap records on the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course are listed as:

CategoryTimeDriverVehicleDate
Second Road Course (without Chicane before The Keyhole): 3.634 km (1990–present)[4]
IndyCar1:05.2600Will PowerDallara DW122016 Honda Indy 200
CART1:06.788Juan Pablo MontoyaReynard 99I1999 Miller Lite 200
LMP11:10.034[5]Marco WernerAudi R10 TDI2008 Sports Car Challenge of Mid-Ohio
LMP21:10.113[6]Romain DumasPorsche RS Spyder Evo2007 Sports Car Challenge of Mid-Ohio
Indy Lights1:11.580[7]Jack HarveyDallara IL-152015 Indy Lights Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio
IMSA GTP1:11.708[8]P. J. JonesEagle MkIII1993 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
DPi1:12.188[9]Kevin MagnussenCadillac DPi-V.R2021 Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio
Formula Atlantic1:13.812[10]Jonathan SummertonSwift 016.a2009 Acura Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio
LMP9001:14.784[11]Tom KristensenAudi R82001 Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio
Pro Mazda1:16.3310[12][13]Rinus VeeKayTatuus PM-182018 Mid-Ohio Pro Mazda round
GT1 (GTS)1:17.186[6]Jan MagnussenChevrolet Corvette C6.R2007 Sports Car Challenge of Mid-Ohio
LMP31:17.179[14]Mike SkeenLigier JS P3202021 Mid-Ohio IMSA Prototype Challenge round
LMP6751:17.208[15]Jon FieldMG-Lola EX2572002 American Le Mans at Mid-Ohio
Daytona Prototype1:17.582[16]Brian FrisselleCorvette Daytona Prototype2013 Diamond Cellar Classic
WSC1:17.589[17]Butch LeitzingerRiley & Scott Mk III2000 U.S. Road Racing Classic
GT1 (Prototype)1:18.019[18]David BrabhamPanoz GTR-11998 U.S. Road Racing Classic
LM GTE1:19.086[19]Laurens VanthoorPorsche 911 RSR2019 Sports Car Challenge of Mid-Ohio
Formula Regional1:19.631[20]Kyle KirkwoodLigier JS F32018 Mid-Ohio F3 Americas round
IMSA GTP Lights1:20.523[8]Parker JohnstoneSpice SE93P1993 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
GT31:20.536[9]Jack HawksworthLexus RC F GT32018 Acura Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio
GT1:20.778[21]Jörg BergmeisterPorsche 911 (997) GT3 RSR2012 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge
Lamborghini Super Trofeo1:20.997[22]Loris SpinelliLamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo2018 Mid-Ohio Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America round
US F20001:21.2979[23][24]Kyle KirkwoodTatuus USF-172018 Cooper Tires USF2000 Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio
Trans-Am1:21.444[25]Justin MarksChevrolet Camaro Trans-Am2023 Mid-Ohio Trans-Am round
IMSA GTS1:21.631[26]Tom KendallFord Mustang1993 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
Production car1:21.767[27]Feras QartoumyCorvette Z062021 Gridlife Mid Summer Meet
Porsche Carrera Cup1:24.292[28]Trenton EstepPorsche 911 (991 II) GT3 Cup2018 Mid-Ohio Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA round
IMSA GTO1:23.160[29]Pete HalsmerMazda RX-71990 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
GTO1:25.122[17]Terry BorchellerSaleen Mustang2000 U.S. Road Racing Classic
Formula 41:25.737[30]Kyle KirkwoodCrawford F4-162017 Mid-Ohio F4 United States round
Stock car racing1:25.897[31]Austin Cindric
Cole Custer		Ford Mustang2019 B&L Transport 170
GT21:26.272[32]Stephane RoyMosler Intruder1999 U.S. Road Racing Classic
USF Juniors1:26.285[33]Nicolas GiaffoneTatuus JR-232023 Cooper Tires Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio
American GT1:27.322[34]Tony AveFord Mustang2001 U.S. Road Racing Classic
GT41:27.323[35]Alec UdellMercedes-AMG GT42020 Mid-Ohio 120
Pickup truck racing1:27.745[36]Parker KligermanChevrolet Silverado NASCAR2022 O'Reilly Auto Parts 150 at Mid-Ohio
Super Touring1:28.181[37]David DonohueDodge Stratus1997 Mid-Ohio NATCC round
GTU1:28.344[17]Darren LawPorsche 911 (996) GT3-R2000 U.S. Road Racing Classic
TCR Touring Car1:28.884[38]Mat PomboHonda Civic Type R TCR (FK8)2021 Mid-Ohio 120
USRRC GT31:28.918[32]David MurryPorsche 911 Carrera RSR (993)1999 U.S. Road Racing Classic
IMSA GTU1:29.380[29]Stu HaynerDodge Daytona1990 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
AAC1:31.360[39]Rick DittmanOldsmobile Cutlass1991 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
IMSA Supercar1:35.846[40]Shane LewisChevrolet Corvette LT11995 Bridgestone Supercar Championship Mid-Ohio
Mazda MX-5 Cup1:36.217[41]Hernan PalermoMazda MX-5 (ND)2021 Mid-Ohio Mazda MX-5 Cup round
Original Road Course (with Chicane before The Keyhole): 3.862 km (1963–present)[4]
CART1:19.984[42]Roberto GuerreroMarch 87C1987 Escort Radar Warning 200
IMSA GTP1:20.920[43]Jan LammersJaguar XJR-101989 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
Can-Am1:22.219[44]Al HolbertVDS-0011982 Valvoline Budweiser/7-Eleven Can-Am
F50001:22.285[45]Al UnserLola T3321975 Buckeye Cup
Group 71:22.470[46]George FollmerShadow DN41974 Buckeye Cup
Formula Atlantic1:25.920[47]Whitney GanzRalt RT41982 Red Roff Inns Formula Atlantic Challenge
Group 61:27.260[48]Jim TruemanRalt RT21981 Mid-Ohio 500
IMSA GTO1:27.600[49]Wally Dallenbach Jr.Mercury Cougar XR-71989 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
IMSA GTP Lights1:27.810[43]Charles MorganSpice SE89P1989 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
IMSA GTX1:28.520[50]Brian RedmanLola T6001981 Red Roof Inns GT 200
Group 51:29.350[48]Rolf StommelenPorsche 9351981 Mid-Ohio 500
Trans-Am1:30.900[51]Scott PruettMerkur XR4Ti1987 Mid-Ohio Trans-Am round
IMSA GTU1:34.020[49]Joe VardeDodge Daytona1989 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
Group 4 sports car1:34.150[48]Dennis AaseBMW M11981 Mid-Ohio 500
IMSA AC1:35.980[49]Clay YoungPontiac Grand Prix1989 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
Group 3 GT1:51.000[52]Tom Payne[lower-alpha 1]
Ken Miles[lower-alpha 1]
Bob Johnson[lower-alpha 1]
Shelby Cobra1964 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. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 "Mid-Ohio". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  5. ↑ "American Le Mans Series Mid-Ohio 2008". Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  6. 1 2 "American Le Mans Series Mid-Ohio 2007". Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  7. ↑ "2015 Indy Lights Mid Ohio Race 1 Statistics". Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  8. 1 2 "Mid-Ohio 2 Hours 1993". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  9. 1 2 "2021 Acura Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio Race Official Results (2 Hours 40 Minutes)" (PDF). International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). 19 May 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  10. ↑ "Acura Sports Car Challenge of Mid Ohio". Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  11. ↑ "2001 Race Results Round 6 American Le Mans Series at Mid-Ohio Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course / Lexington, Ohio August 25, 2001 Official Results". 25 August 2001. Archived from the original on 9 January 2008. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  12. ↑ "2018 Indy Pro 2000 Championship Mid-Ohio Race 1 Statistics". Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  13. ↑ "2023 USF Pro 2000 Presented by Cooper Tires Current Track Records". Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  14. ↑ "2021 Mid-Ohio IMSA Prototype Challenge Race Official Results (1 Hours 45 Minutes)" (PDF). International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). 18 May 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  15. ↑ "2002 Race Results Round 3 American Le Mans Series at Mid-Ohio Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course / Lexington, Oh June 30, 2002 Official Results" (PDF). 30 June 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 October 2005. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  16. ↑ "Grand-Am Mid-Ohio 2013". Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  17. 1 2 3 "Mid-Ohio 250 Miles 2000". Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  18. ↑ "USRRC Mid-Ohio 1998". Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  19. ↑ "2019 Acura Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio Race Official Results (2 Hours 40 Minutes)" (PDF). International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). 7 May 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  20. ↑ "2018 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course - Round 6 Official Race Result" (PDF). 11 August 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  21. ↑ "2012 American Le Mans Series Mid-Ohio". Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  22. ↑ "2018 Acura Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio >> Lamborghini Super Trofeo Race 2 Official Results (50 Minutes)" (PDF). 8 May 2018. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  23. ↑ "2018 USF2000 National Championship Mid-Ohio Race 3 Statistics". Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  24. ↑ "2023 USF2000 Presented by Cooper Tires Current Track Records". Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  25. ↑ "2023 Trans Am Championship Presented by Pirelli Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course June 22nd - 24th TA TAH XGT SGT GT Round 7 Official Race Results" (PDF). 24 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  26. ↑ "Mid-Ohio 1 Hour IMSA GTS 1993". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  27. ↑ "2021 Gridlife Mid Summer Meet Mid Ohio Race Results". Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  28. ↑ "2018 Acura Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio >> Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA Race 2 Official Results (45')" (PDF). 8 May 2018. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  29. 1 2 "Mid-Ohio 250 Kilometres IMSA GTO 1990". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  30. ↑ "2017 Formula 4 United States Championship Round 12 Final Results" (PDF). 12 August 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  31. ↑ "NASCAR XFINITY 2019 Mid-Ohio". Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  32. 1 2 "USRRC Mid-Ohio 1999". Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  33. ↑ "2023 Mid-Ohio USF Juniors Race 1 Statistics". Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  34. ↑ "Mid-Ohio 250 Miles 2001". Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  35. ↑ "2020 Mid-Ohio 120 Race 2 Official Results (2 Hours)" (PDF). International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). 30 September 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  36. ↑ "2022 Mid-Ohio 150 Race Statistics". Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  37. ↑ "Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Round 14 Results". Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  38. ↑ "2021 Mid-Ohio 120 Race Official Results (2 Hours)" (PDF). International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). 18 May 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  39. ↑ "Mid-Ohio 1 Hour IMSA GT 1991". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  40. ↑ "IMSA Supercar Mid-Ohio 1995". Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  41. ↑ "2021 Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by BFGoodrich at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Race 2 Official Results (45 Minutes)" (PDF). 18 May 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  42. ↑ "1987 Mid-Ohio Champ Cars". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  43. 1 2 "Mid-Ohio 500 Kilometres 1989". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  44. ↑ "Can-Am Mid-Ohio 1982". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  45. ↑ "1975 Mid-Ohio F5000". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  46. ↑ "Can-Am Mid-Ohio 1974". Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  47. ↑ "Mid Ohio Sports Car Course Red Roff Inns Formula Atlantic Challenge, June 27 Juin 1982". Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  48. 1 2 3 "Mid-Ohio 500 Kilometres 1981". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  49. 1 2 3 "Mid-Ohio 200 Kilometres IMSA GTO 1989". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  50. ↑ "Mid-Ohio 200 Miles 1981". Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  51. ↑ "Trans-Am Mid-Ohio 1987". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  52. ↑ "USRRC Mid-Ohio - GT Race 1964". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
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