CanAm, which is quite possibly the most frantic racing series of all time, will be part of the Red Bull Ring Classics. Under the billing ‘CanAm & Sportscars’, Spielberg will host an exciting field of around 30 vehicles from the CanAm category, sportscars, GT and high-performance touring cars. In addition, Group 4 and racing cars will also be at the start, and the field will be rounded off with V8 vehicles.
Hard Facts CanAm & Sportscars
- Racing series was held for the first time in 2017
- The series is open to GTs and racing sports cars built between 1966 and 2003 and Sports2000
- Race duration: 20 minutes
The legendary CanAm
The Canadian-American Challenge Cup was first contested 57 years ago. From 1966 to 1974, it was considered the most spectacular racing series in the world – it made Formula 1 look like a competition for pedal cars by comparison! Everything was permitted, and there were almost no limitations.
The regulations did not stipulate any upper limit on engine capacity, and cars with turbochargers or superchargers were allowed. There were no other de facto technical restrictions. The only theoretical requirements for a car to compete were two seats, a body that enclosed the wheels and a roll bar. This meant that the cars were street legal and therefore in close accord with the concept of many racing car designers.
Fans at the time spoke of an earthquake when the field of ‘big bangers’ was let loose. In fact, the cars had no equal in terms of power, speed and looks at the time. Icons of the era include the turbocharged Porsche 917/30 Spyder, the Lola T70, the McLaren M6A, M8A, M8B, M8D and M8F championship models and the 1966 Chaparral 2E with its adjustable wing.
