Gilles' home track to close

The famous street circuit in the Quebec town of Trois Rivieres is facing permanent closure after a lack of sponsorship forced it to cancel its 2004 round of the American Le Mans Series.

Organiser Leon Methot has struggled to make the event financially viable since support from Player’s ended in 2000, and he is fearful that the famous venue has hosted its last race.

The 1.5-mile track was first used in 1967, and it earned a lasting place in history by turning the spotlight on Gilles Villeneuve’s talents when he beat James Hunt in its 1976 Formula Atlantic race.

In almost every year since the circuit’s inception, the French-speaking town has hosted an international event. Toyota Atlantic has remained a fixture on the programme, and supported the new ALMS feature race in 2003. Can-Am, IMSA and Trans-Am have also appeared at the track.