2011 marks the 25th year of open wheel racing in Toronto, initially in 1986 as the CART, Champ Car 'Grand Prix of Toronto' and later in 2009 as the IZOD IndyCar Honda Indy Toronto. That's quite a few years of burning rubber and the heavy rumblings of high power race engines screaming through a site that really comes to life during the annual CNE and Indy race.
The Dr Pepper Snapple group sponsors IZOD IndyCar Series Andretti Autosport's driver Marco Andretti in the #26 Venom Energy car (pictures above). Marco now sits in 13th place in this years racing season (tied with Justin Wilson) and hails from one of the most successful racing families which started with Mario, followed by Michael who runs Andretti Autosports. Hopefully I will get a garage tour with Marco during the July stop in Toronto thanks to Dr Pepper - which has been the official beverage of the Honda Indy Toronto since 2009.
On June 1, 2011 Honda Indy Toronto, run by Green Savoree Toronto ULC, will begin the construction of the Exhibition ground race course and will launch the start of construction on June 1st. Representatives of the owners, Honda Canada and several drivers of the some of the participating series races, including JR Fitzpatrick of NASCAR Canadian Tire Series (blue car pictured below) and James Hinchcliffe of IndyCar, will be on hand to help publicize the event. This year will also see exotic car races with the Ferrari North American 458 Challenge Race and one of the drivers will be Robert Herjavec of CBC's the Dragons' Den.
JR Fitzpatricks NCTS #84 Schick Hydro stock car
Dr Pepper Grandstand
I remember last year at the Dr Pepper grandstand beside turn #11, right across from the entrance to the pits and close to the start/finish line, and how they had barrels of ice cold Dr Pepper free for the people in their grandstand. I believe they also got a free Dr Pepper t-shirt on race day Sunday, a slice of Pizza Pizza and the garage tour with Marco. Hopefully they will have Dr Pepper Cherry this year! You can check out the grandstand prices here.
