@HondaIndy Toronto 2016 coming next week

Thursday, July 07, 2016

@HondaIndy Toronto 2016 coming next week

Racing excitement is coming to town with the Friday, July 15 to Sunday, July 17 MotorFest on the streets of Toronto. Fan Friday is free with a voluntary donation to the Make-A-Wish Canada, courtesy of the Ontario Honda Dealers, so you just need to pick up tickets for Saturday and Sunday. Off track activities start Wednesday. See the track build coverage on my post here.

"Wednesday, July 13 @ 10:30 a.m. Indy Lights driver Dalton Kellett to visit childhood school, Toronto French School at 318 Lawrence Avenue East. Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires driver, Dalton Kellett will return to his alma mater, the Toronto French School (at 318 Lawrence Avenue East), on Wednesday, July 13 with his 2015 Pro Mazda show car to speak with current students, alumni and past teachers about the importance of STEM in the classroom."

Leading up to the Honda Indy Toronto is several events for fans the Summer of TAG Food Drive and the Green Flag Gala at Hunter's Landing.

Starting early on Thursday, July 14 at Yonge-Dundas Square is the Allergy-Friendly food drive by Canadian Driver Alex Tagliani with the number 18 Team EpiPen and Food Allergy Canada. The Summer of TAG Food Drive is from 11am to 2pm and the first 18 donors will receive a ticket to the Honda Indy Pinty's Series race valid at the Honda Indy Toronto on Saturday, July 16. Alex will also be giving away signed t-shirts while supplies last.

"Noon, Thursday, July 14 – Custom trophies to be unveiled for 2016 Honda Indy Toronto race champions, at the William Ashley Flagship store in the Manulife Centre at 55 Bloor Street. The race is this weekend and the trophies are ready. Verizon IndyCar Series drivers and previous Honda Indy Toronto race winners Josef Newgarden and Ryan Hunter-Reay will join representatives from the Honda Indy Toronto and William Ashley to reveal the William Ashley Waterford Crystal trophies that will be awarded to the top three finishers of the Verizon IndyCar Series race."

Later Thursday evening you can meet Verizon IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe at Hunter's Landing for the Green Flag Gala with a live auction, raffles, live music and much more all in support of the Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia Foundation of Canada (WMFC) which was founded by James' mother Arlene Hinchcliffe in 2002. This event is open to all racing fans and you can buy tickets or make a donation at www.greenflaggala.com. The party is hosted by sportscaster Todd Lewis and starts at 6pm and goes to 10pm.

"Maxim Magazine hosts the Maxim Indy Party at EFS Social Club at 647 King St West, Thursday, July 14 @ 10pm. hosted by Majid Jordan who will also perform, featuring the Maxim Grid Girls with appearances from drivers. The party is open to the public, with tickets and information at
www.efstoronto.com."

Don't forget GO Transit and the TTC Buses and Streetcars for easy access to the race. "Engines will be revving high in this year's Honda Indy Toronto, July 15-17 at Exhibition Place - and we're not talking about the race cars. GO trains and buses will the fastest-and easiest-way to the checked flag when the Verizon IndyCar series returns to Toronto in July. Throughout the Honda Indy, up to two (2) children 12 and under will receive free fare on the GO Train or Bus when accompanied by at least one (1) paying adult with a destination of Exhibition Station and a Honda Indy admission ticket.
Toronto has a lot to explore, and we get you there. It starts with GO."

Once Fan Friday (July 15) hits you can check out Honda World, Thunder Alley, Speed Zone, the Beer Gardens and the Paddocks and Garages. You can also sign James Hinchcliffe's firesuit in support of Make-A-Wish Canada. The Beer Gardens are at Turn 1 (Pinty's Pub & Grill), Turn 4 (Trackside) and in Thunder Alley. The Verizon IndyCar Series Paddock will require a credential, otherwise the rest of the paddocks and garages are open to the public. "Fan Friday offers families a full day of fun both on and off the track including Honda’s Junior Red Riders program, autograph sessions, games and activities in Honda World, Thunder Alley and the Speed Zone, as well as food and beer gardens, autograph sessions with your favourite drivers, and so much more!"

Thunder Alley includes live entertainment, Pinty's products, driver autograph sessions among many other attractions while you can find activities like the NHL Skills Challenge, the MLSE Fan Zone, Hot Wheels in the Speed Zone. Now to find out about the Grid Girls! Update - ~~it looks like they will by Maxim Grid Girls, see the Thursday event noted above.~~ Toronto Argonauts Cheerleaders will be the 2016 Grid Girls.