Jacques Villeneuve to race a rare McLaren F1 GTR Longtail at Mont Tremblant

[Peloton25]

This happens tomorrow. If you are reading this right now, you just have time to jump on a plane and get there I think.

Jacques Villeneuve to race a rare McLaren F1 GTR Longtail from the private race car collection of Lawrence Stroll, the distinguished owner of Circuit Mont-Tremblant during the Legends of Motorsports this weekend at Circuit Mont-Tremblant.

Villeneuve will meet the press around 11:20 a.m. at the Circuit on Saturday following his testing session starting at 10:45 a.m. Saturday.

BOBBY RAHAL, LEGENDS OF MOTORSPORTS

This weekend, Canada’s former Formula One World Champion Jacques Villeneuve returns to Quebec’s storied Circuit Mont-Tremblant to compete in a new historic racing series. Legends of Motorsports, a Bobby Rahal Signature Event, makes its Canadian premiere at the classic permanent road course on July 9 – 11, 2010.

Villeneuve will pilot a rare 1997 McLaren F1 GTR Longtail. The event will also include a priceless Formula One Ferrari raced by Jacques’ famed father, Gilles, who authored many thrilling drives at this same track. Villeneuve will additionally serve as the event’s Grand Marshal, which will feature another Canadian racing hero, current IZOD IndyCar Series star Alex Tagliani.

Villeneuve, the 1997 Formula One World Champion and 1995 Indianapolis 500 winner, will meet and mingle with fans and participants alike. An autograph session and Fan Forums featuring Villeneuve, Tagliani and other racing celebrities are featured elements of the family-friendly race weekend and automotive lifestyle festival. Fans of World Cup soccer will also be accommodated, with a viewing of the deciding matches available at the track.

“By the family’s collective accomplishments, the Villeneuve name is magical to race fans worldwide, but nowhere more than in Canada,” said three-time CART Champion, 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner and series co-founder Bobby Rahal. “It is a great treat that Jacques will join the Legends of Motorsports weekend at Circuit Mont-Tremblant to drive and be among our guests.”

Since 1966, scenic Circuit Mont-Tremblant has hosted many of Canada’s most storied racing events made famous by the driving exploits of the world’s greatest drivers including the likes of Jacques’ father, the late Canadian racing legend Gilles Villeneuve.

Tucked amid the scenic Laurentian Mountain, the now 2.65-mile, 15-turn track has twice previously hosted the Canadian Grand Prix of the Formula One World Championship. Epic races among the legendary Can-Am, Trans-Am and other notable series have equally thrilled and delighted fans here.

The upcoming Legends of Motorsports historic races at Mont-Tremblant will include a variety of classes and cars. Among them Historic Grand Prix, Can-Am, GTP/ Group C, F.I.A. Championship of Makes, Thunder and Lightning Production Cars, 2.0 Liter Sports Cars, IMSA GT Production Cars, USRRC Sports Cars, Formula Libre and Classic Monoposto.

Hopefully the event is well attended and some of the locals will bring back good content for us.

I hope JV doesn't stuff it either.

>8^)
ER

[hurstg01]

Good find, can't wait for the pics

[Peloton25]

Well here's one so far from f1Design on Flickr:



>8^)
ER

[Peloton25]

Another Flickr shot from Jode Photo - click for a larger version:



>8^)
ER

[hurstg01]

Excellent - thanks Erik

[Peloton25]

World's smallest video here - even better, it is en Francais. Actually the button to enlarge the video in a pop out window is above - Extraire La Console - wasn't working for me earlier.

http://www.radio-canada.ca/sports/sp...storique.shtml

Phil - we need a translation.

>8^)
ER

[Peloton25]

I think this article has an image of #23R on track. It's clickable for a larger version too.

http://qc.news.yahoo.com/s/10072010/...tremblant.html

>8^)
ER

[Dr.D]

Peloton,
Fantastic info here. I loooooooove that Longtail. Do you think the restricters were removed since Lemans and the engine remapped so it could run in its actual full glory?
Daniel

[Peloton25]

That's possible - we'd have to ask someone at Lanzante Motorsport.

Keep in mind the 1997 GTRs have a slightly smaller displacement - 5990cc verses 6064cc - by way of a shorter stroke, so ultimate power should be slightly less than an uncorked version of the earlier GTRs, but they are significantly lighter.

>8^)
ER

[F1GTRUeno]

Just me or does the livery look...off...?

Sort of the same way 06R always looks off to me, lacking sponsors or sponsors looking a bit different to the way it originally was?

[DocGTR]

Originally Posted by F1GTRUeno

Just me or does the livery look...off...?

Sort of the same way 06R always looks off to me, lacking sponsors or sponsors looking a bit different to the way it originally was?

It lacks the "Warsteiner" text and the logos from the wing, and the Fina-logo in the rear behind the wheel is replaced with the text version. Can't see if the "Michelin man" is also missing from the rear groove behind the Fina text. It has had them correctly few years ago. I hope they'll fix them.

06R has currently a mixture of LM'95 and LM'96 liveries and could be much better. Why try to show it as '95 car as it's so obvious it's in '96 spec? To me the LM'96 livery was much better and I find it still the best looking one of the Harrods variants.

[carbuilder2002]

I still struggle to get as excited by the 97 cars as i do the 95/96 variants

[cabrio92]

Originally Posted by Peloton25

World's smallest video here - even better, it is en Francais. Actually the button to enlarge the video in a pop out window is above - Extraire La Console - wasn't working for me earlier.

http://www.radio-canada.ca/sports/sp...storique.shtml

Phil - we need a translation.

>8^)
ER

I try tomorrow, I am in holiday

[Peloton25]

No rush at all Phil - enjoy your vacation.

= = = = =

These aren't half bad...



Click for more in high res.

One bonus shot of JV at the wheel hiding in another gallery:



>8^)
ER

[Peloton25]

More photos littered throughout this gallery:

http://www.sportscardigest.com/legen...ts-and-photos/

>8^)
ER