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It’s about to get loud in Markham. The city is playing host to the NTT IndyCar Series — among other motorsports series — this weekend for the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy.
IndyCar has been racing in Toronto on and off since 1986, but this will be the first race held outside the city, and it will happen on a completely new track layout.
The 3.52-kilometre, 12-turn course will take place partially on the grounds of the Unionville GO station and will also see drivers race around the York University Markham Campus and the Markham Pan Am Centre.
Here’s a crash course on what you need to know:
How to get to the track
Anyone attending the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy is encouraged to take GO Transit, use York Region Transit or drive to the event via Highway 407. Parking will be available to the west of the event grounds.
Metrolinx is expanding service on the Stouffville Line to help people get to and from the track.
The City of Markham is hosting the IndyCar race for the first time this weekend. CBC’s Greg Ross gives you a first look at what to expect.
They’re adding three additional trips from Union Station to Unionville GO on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings, as well as three new trips from Unionville to Union each of those afternoon and evenings. There will also be one additional trip from Burlington GO to Union Station on Saturday and Sunday morning for people connecting from Lakeshore West to the Stouffville Line.
More frequent York Region Transit service is being made available, and Markham is offering shuttle service between a pair of parking lots to the event grounds.
Road closures
Markham residents have been dealing with the impacts of track construction for months. From limits on parking spaces at Unionville GO to repaved roads and putting up grandstands and retainer walls, area residents only have a few more days of restrictions.
A full event closure on parts of Enterprise Boulevard, Kennedy Road, YMCA Boulevard, University Boulevard and South Unionville Boulevard will last until Monday at 6 a.m. Some roads will continue to be impacted until Aug. 27 for track teardown.
Who to watch
Now, let’s get to the racing.
IndyCar is the big show on Sunday. Green flag is scheduled for 12:22 p.m. ET. So, who should you be keeping your eye on?
Spaniard Alex Palou comes into the race as the points leader, and is the heavy favourite to win. The 29-year-old is already a four-time series champion and has won nearly a quarter of the races he’s competed in, including just last week in Portland, Ore. He’s won six of 13 starts this year, while no one else in IndyCar has won more than twice.
The last time IndyCar raced in Canada, it was Mexico’s Pato O’Ward in victory lane. He only has one win this year, but will likely challenge again.
Other drivers to watch include Americans Kyle Kirkwood and David Malukas, Denmark’s Christian Lundgaard and Dutchman Rinus Veekay, who has come on strong in recent races.
There’s also local talent to watch in the support series.
Vaughan, Ont., teen Anthony Martella will compete in USF2000. He’s won three times this year. Toronto’s Chase Pelletier will race in Radical Cup Canada.
The NASCAR Canada Series is also debuting in Markham and includes racers such as former IndyCar driver Alex Tagliani, Toronto’s Sam Fellows, defending series champion Marc-Antoine Camirand and former first-round NFL draft pick turned race car driver Jared Odrick.
What the drivers are saying
The Markham layout is much different than what drivers have dealt with in Toronto.
For starters, the track is on newly repaved roads. Toronto commuters know how bumpy Lake Shore Boulevard is. IndyCar drivers often left Toronto with a sore back or a hurt wrist. Markham has a smooth track surface, but it’s also an unknown for drivers.
“It seems tricky, that’s for sure,” IndyCar driver Kyffin Simpson told reporters on Wednesday. “I’m excited to see the elevation changes. That’s a cool aspect for a street course that we don’t have anywhere else.”
O’Ward told CBC Toronto there are some areas that look “extremely tight.”
“There’s obviously some long straightaways. Hopefully passing opportunities will be present so it’s a good show for the fans.”
Tickets for Saturday and Sunday are available and can be found on the event website. Friday’s practice and qualifying sessions are free to attend as part of Fan Friday, though visitors are encouraged to make a donation to Make-A-Wish Canada when they enter.
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