The three new owners of Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP) are committed to maintaining the long-standing racing tradition of the Bowmanville facility but plan to develop the 64-year-old course further, according to the general manager. Myles Brandt spoke to Canadian Auto Dealer following the public announcement of the sale of CTMP on Dec. 11.
Brandt and his staff, who were retained as part of the sale by Carlo Fidani and Ron Fellows to Peter Thomson, well known auto dealer Chris Pfaff and Alex Krstajic, offered additional information beyond what was included in the media release. However, he said the trio’s plans will be revealed at this year’s Canadian International AutoShow, Feb. 13-22, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
“The timing and relevance of the AutoShow made for a perfect location to announce these plans,” said Brandt in an email.
Myles Brandt
Pfaff stated in the media release that the track is “a place with deep heritage and a loyal community.” “Our team is proud to be (the track’s) next steward,” he added. “We’re committed to respecting everything that makes CTMP special today while building the foundation for an elevated experience in the years ahead. We look forward to sharing more of our vision in February.”
Brandt said all three new owners have known one another through friendship and the auto industry. Thomson, part of the Thomson family, the wealthiest family in Canada, is a Canadian rally race car driver with Thomson Motorsport, founded in 1996. Thomson began rally racing in 1986.
Pfaff is president and CEO of Pfaff Automotive Partners and was inducted into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame in 2016 as a significant contributor. Krstajic is the former CEO of Freedom Mobile and Public Mobile and is listed as the non-executive chairman at Liminal Biosciences. Little is known about his racing background.
Brandt said Pfaff, a competitor, team owner, sponsor and fan of the track since childhood, had been in discussions with Fidani over the past year when he learned there was an opportunity to purchase the track, which opened in 1961.
“Carlo thought Chris and his ownership group would be the right people to hand off the facility to and would respect the history and take CTMP to the next level,” said Brandt. “The appeal was to take what the previous owners had accomplished and develop CTMP further. The previous owners were interested in selling but only to the ideal group, which is why the sale was completed.”
Brandt said it is possible the new group will make upgrades to the track, but the existing racing schedule will be very similar to the 2025 events. He said the new owners are “open for business” when it comes to adding non-racing entertainment.
Brandt said Canadian Tire will remain the title sponsor. “Canadian Tire is the ideal entitlement partner and this will continue.”
When asked whether the sale was in any way a real estate play, Brandt said: “This purchase was completed with the intention to continue to develop CTMP, and some of these plans will be announced at the AutoShow.”
