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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. Mid-Ohio has also colloquially become a term for the entire north-central region of the state, from south of Sandusky to the north of Columbus. It hosts a number of racing series such as IndyCar, IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship, and the NASCAR Xfinity Series, along with other club events such has SCCA and National Auto Sport Association.

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

Location	Troy Township, Morrow County, at 7721 Steam Corners Road, Lexington, Ohio
Time zone	UTC-5 (UTC-4 DST)
Coordinates	40°41′21.46″N 82°38′10.94″W
Capacity	Bleachers: 12,000 Open seating: 75,000
FIA Grade	2
Owner	Green Savoree Racing Promotions
Operator	Green Savoree Racing Promotions
Opened	1962
Major events	Current: IndyCar Series Honda Indy 200 (2007–present) IMSA SportsCar Championship Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio (2001–2002, 2004–2012, 2018–2022) NASCAR Camping World Truck Series O'Reilly Auto Parts 150 at Mid-Ohio (2022) FR Americas (2018, 2020–present) ARCA Menards Series Dawn 150 (1965, 2021–present) Trans-Am Series (1967–1972, 1982–1983, 1985–1994, 1997–1999, 2001–2002, 2009, 2012–present) Former: NASCAR Xfinity Series B&L Transport 170 (2013–2021) Americas Rallycross Championship (2019) Pirelli World Challenge (1994, 1997–1999, 2002–2017) AMA Superbike Championship Honda Super Cycle Weekend presented by Dunlop Tire (1983–2014) Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series EMCO Gears Classic presented by KeyBank (2000–2001, 2003–2013) CART Champ Car Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio (1980, 1983–2003)
Second Road Course (1990–present)
Length	2.258 miles (3.634 km)
Turns	13
Race lap record	1:05.2600 ( Will Power, Dallara DW12, 2016, IndyCar)
Original Road Course (1963–present)
Length	2.400 miles (3.862 km)
Turns	15
Race lap record	1:19.984 ( Roberto Guerrero, March 87C, 1987, CART)
Website	www.midohio.com

The track

The track opened as a 15-turn, 2.400 mi (3.862 km) road circuit run clockwise. The back portion of the track allows speeds approaching 180 mph (290 km/h). A separate starting line is located on the backstretch to allow for safer 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 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 1990, the CART series, along with other racing series, began utilizing the 2.258 mi (3.634 km) layout.

In 2006 a second 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 oval was created by connecting the chicane straight with the backstretch. The additional layouts allow simultaneous use of the multiple course, 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.

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]

History

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 Camping World Truck Series.

Lap Records

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

Category	Time	Driver	Vehicle	Date
Second Road Course (without Chicane before The Keyhole): 3.634 km (1990–present)[4]
IndyCar	1:05.2600	Will Power	Dallara DW12	2016 Honda Indy 200
CART	1:06.788	Juan Pablo Montoya	Reynard 99I	1999 Miller Lite 200
LMP1	1:10.034[5]	Marco Werner	Audi R10 TDI	2008 Sports Car Challenge of Mid-Ohio
LMP2	1:10.113[6]	Romain Dumas	Porsche RS Spyder Evo	2007 Sports Car Challenge of Mid-Ohio
Indy Lights	1:11.580[7]	Jack Harvey	Dallara IL-15	2015 Indy Lights Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio
GTP	1:11.708[8]	P. J. Jones	Eagle MkIII	1993 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
DPi	1:12.188[9]	Kevin Magnussen	Cadillac DPi-V.R	2021 Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio
Formula Atlantic	1:13.812[10]	Jonathan Summerton	Swift 016.a	2009 Acura Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio
LMP900	1:14.784[11]	Tom Kristensen	Audi R8	2001 Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio
Indy Pro 2000	1:16.331[12]	Rinus VeeKay	Tatuus PM-18	2018 Indy Pro 2000 Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio
GT1 (GTS)	1:17.186[6]	Jan Magnussen	Chevrolet Corvette C6.R	2007 Sports Car Challenge of Mid-Ohio
LMP3	1:17.179[13]	Mike Skeen	Ligier JS P320	2021 Mid-Ohio IMSA Prototype Challenge round
LMP675	1:17.208[14]	Jon Field	MG-Lola EX257	2002 American Le Mans at Mid-Ohio
Daytona Prototype	1:17.582[15]	Brian Frisselle	Corvette Daytona Prototype	2013 Diamond Cellar Classic
WSC	1:17.589[16]	Butch Leitzinger	Riley & Scott Mk III	2000 U.S. Road Racing Classic
GT1 (Prototype)	1:18.019[17]	David Brabham	Panoz GTR-1	1998 U.S. Road Racing Classic
LM GTE	1:19.086[18]	Laurens Vanthoor	Porsche 911 RSR	2019 Sports Car Challenge of Mid-Ohio
F3 Americas	1:19.631[19]	Kyle Kirkwood	Ligier JS F3	2018 Mid-Ohio F3 Americas round
GTP Lights	1:20.523[8]	Parker Johnstone	Spice SE93P	1993 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
GT3	1:20.536[9]	Jack Hawksworth	Lexus RC F GT3	2018 Acura Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio
US F2000	1:21.297[20]	Kyle Kirkwood	Tatuus USF-17	2018 Cooper Tires USF2000 Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio
GTS	1:21.631[21]	Tom Kendall	Ford Mustang	1993 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
Production car	1:21.767[22]	Feras Qartoumy	Corvette Z06	2021 Gridlife Mid Summer Meet
GTO	1:23.160[23]	Pete Halsmer	Mazda RX-7	1990 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
GTO	1:25.122[16]	Terry Borcheller	Saleen Mustang	2000 U.S. Road Racing Classic
Formula 4	1:25.737[24]	Kyle Kirkwood	Crawford F4-16	2017 Mid-Ohio F4 United States round
Stock car racing	1:25.897[25]	Austin Cindric Cole Custer	Ford Mustang	2019 B&L Transport 170
USRRC GT2	1:26.272[26]	Stephane Roy	Mosler Intruder	1999 U.S. Road Racing Classic
American GT	1:27.322[27]	Tony Ave	Ford Mustang	2001 U.S. Road Racing Classic
GT4	1:27.323[28]	Alec Udell	Mercedes-AMG GT4	2020 Mid-Ohio 120
USF Juniors	1:27.563[29]	Alessandro De Tullio	Ligier JS F4	2022 Cooper Tires Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio
GT	1:27.715[27]	Randy Pobst	Porsche 911 (996) GT3-RS	2001 U.S. Road Racing Classic
Pickup truck racing	1:27.745[30]	Parker Kligerman	Chevrolet Silverado NASCAR	2022 O'Reilly Auto Parts 150 at Mid-Ohio
Super Touring	1:28.181[31]	David Donohue	Dodge Stratus	1997 Mid-Ohio NATCC round
GTU	1:28.344[16]	Darren Law	Porsche 911 (996) GT3-R	2000 U.S. Road Racing Classic
TCR Touring Car	1:28.884[28]	Mat Pombo	Honda Civic Type R TCR (FK8)	2021 Mid-Ohio 120
USRRC GT3	1:28.918[26]	David Murry	Porsche 911 Carrera RSR (993)	1999 U.S. Road Racing Classic
GTU	1:29.380[23]	Stu Hayner	Dodge Daytona	1990 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
AAC	1:31.360[32]	Rick Dittman	Oldsmobile Cutlass	1991 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
Original Road Course (with Chicane before The Keyhole): 3.862 km (1963–present)[4]
CART	1:19.984[33]	Roberto Guerrero	March 87C	1987 Escort Radar Warning 200
GTP	1:20.920[34]	Jan Lammers	Jaguar XJR-10	1989 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
Can-Am	1:22.219[35]	Al Holbert	VDS-001	1982 Valvoline Budweiser/7-Eleven Can-Am
F5000	1:22.285[36]	Al Unser	Lola T332	1975 Buckeye Cup
Formula Atlantic	1:25.920[37]	Whitney Ganz	Ralt RT4	1982 Red Roff Inns Formula Atlantic Challenge
Group 6	1:27.260[38]	Jim Trueman	Ralt RT2	1981 Mid-Ohio 500
GTO	1:27.600[39]	Wally Dallenbach Jr.	Mercury Cougar XR-7	1989 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
GTP Lights	1:27.810[34]	Charles Morgan	Spice SE89P	1989 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
Group 5	1:29.350[38]	Rolf Stommelen	Porsche 935	1981 Mid-Ohio 500
Trans-Am	1:30.900[40]	Scott Pruett	Merkur XR4Ti	1987 Mid-Ohio Trans-Am round
GTU	1:34.020[39]	Joe Varde	Dodge Daytona	1989 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
Group 4 sports car	1:34.150[38]	Dennis Aase	BMW M1	1981 Mid-Ohio 500
AC	1:35.980[39]	Clay Young	Pontiac Grand Prix	1989 Nissan Grand Prix of Ohio
Group 3 GT	1:51.000[41]	Tom Payne[lower-alpha 1] Ken Miles[lower-alpha 1] Bob Johnson[lower-alpha 1]	Shelby Cobra	1964 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

References

External links

• Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course – official site of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
• Map and circuit history at RacingCircuits.info
• Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course race results at Racing-Reference
• The Mid-Ohio School – official site of The Mid-Ohio School
• 1tail Resource Database: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course^{[permanent dead link]}

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