Update: For the 2010 Honda Indy Events check out my blog post here. For some great pictures of some of the drivers, including 2009 winner Dario Franchitti and Danica Patrick check out my blog post here.
The 2009 Honda Indy Toronto is a full weekend of supercharged fun from Friday, June 10th to Sunday, June 12th. It's time to pick out your vantage point to watch the race and get your tickets ordered. While we missed one race last year, it's time to get the momentum going again. Don't wait for next year; this is the return of open wheel racing to the streets of Toronto. Peak attendance is estimated at 75,000.
For as little as $60 you can get 3 days access to a full weekend of entertainment, where else can you get a deal like this?
In the days before the race you can take in these events:
Two Days of IndyCar Fun to Fill Yonge-Dundas Square.
Yonge-Dundas Square in downtown will be the centre of motorsports activity on Tuesday, July 7 and Wednesday, July 8 as organizers from the Honda Indy Toronto stage two days of interactive fan activities in advance of the debut of the IndyCar Series in Toronto. Planned events for Tuesday, July 7 include a media tire change challenge and an evening screening of the classic auto racing film Le Mans shown as part of the “City Cinema” series in downtown. Wednesday, July 8, brings the Honda Indy Toronto Kick-off Party with planned appearances by select drivers competing in this year's race.
Honda Indy Toronto has released their weekend schedule.
Friday, July 10
8:00 a.m. Gates Open
8:01 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Acura Sports Car Challenge CTC Practice
8:50 a.m. – 9:50 a.m. Firestone Indy Lights Practice
10:10 a.m. – 11:55 p.m. IndyCar Series Practice
11:45 a.m. – 1:45 a.m. Live music on the OLG Stage
12:00 p.m. – 12:40 p.m. Firestone Indy Lights Practice
1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Vintage GT Practice
1:50 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. IndyCar Series Practice
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Live music on the OLG Stage
3:10 p.m. – 3:55 p.m. Firestone Indy Lights Qualifying
4:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Acura Sports Car Challenge CTC Qualifying
4:45 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. Honda Motorcycle Demonstration
5:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. VIP Pit Walk-Through
Saturday, July 11
8:00 a.m. Gates Open
8:01 a.m. -- 8:30 a.m. Vintage GT Qualifying
8:50 a.m. – 9:20 a.m. Firestone Indy Lights Practice
9:40 a.m. – 10:40 a.m. IndyCar Series Practice
11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Vintage GT Qualifying
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Live music on the OLG Stage
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Pace Car Rides
12:15 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. Firestone Indy Lights Pre-Race
12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Firestone Indy Lights Race
2:05 p.m. - 3:35 p.m. IndyCar Series Qualifying
3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Live music on the OLG Stage
3:50 p.m. – 4:20 p.m. Honda Motorcycle Demonstration
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. IndyCar Series Driver Autograph Session
4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Acura Sports Car Challenge CTC Race #1
5:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. VIP Pit Walk-Through
Sunday, July 12
8:00 a.m. Gates Open
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. IndyCar Series Warm-Up
10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Acura Sports Car Challenge CTC Race #2
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. VIP Pit Walk-Through
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Live music on the OLG Stage
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Pace Car Rides
12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Honda Motorcycle Demonstration
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. IndyCar Series Pre-Race
1:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Honda Indy Toronto IndyCar Series Race
3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. IndyCar Series Post-Race Ceremonies
4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Vintage GT Race
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Live music on the OLG Stage
There will also be tons of fun away from the asphalt track. I will try to track and list these events here as I find out about them.
1. Budweiser is organizing the Bud Pit Crew Girl search on Facebook and will have the Bud Winners Circle VIP Party.
2. Hooters will have the Owl's Nest trackside. Hooters says they will have "your favourite things; chicken wings, cold beer, Hooters girls and fast cars."
3. Pizza Pizza Family Zone.
4. The Auto Expo.
5. Live music on the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Stage.
