Thursday, July 12, 2018

Honda Indy Toronto 2018

Tracks are up, grandstands are ready and the big rig haulers are in the paddocks, welcome to the 32nd Honda Indy Toronto. The big race event is open to the public starting with free Fan Friday on July 13 and continues over the weekend until Sunday, July 15.

See my Fan Friday, July 13 post here.


See my NASCAR Saturday, July 14 post here.


See my IndyCar Sunday, July 15 post here.


Back to the Thursday, July 12 coverage........

IndyCar racing in 2018 comes with a new car, described on the their site as "a livelier race car with less downforce, less drag and faster straight-line speed, all wrapped in a sexier, slinkier package. “We are excited about this new universal aero kit,” said Jim Campbell, U.S. vice president of performance vehicles and motorsports for Chevrolet, during the unveiling. “I think the new car is reminiscent of some of the old Indy car styles. It’s a very attractive car. The aero kit has about 20 percent less downforce, so, obviously, it’s put the drivers back in the driver’s seat to show what they can do behind the wheel."

“We have found that the Chevrolet drivers who have been testing this kit and engine have to really re-learn how to get quickly around the road courses and ovals. So, I think it’s going to be a lot of fun and very exciting. With less downforce, the drivers will really have to be on top of their game.”

Racing in Exhibition Place began in 1986 with the CART racing series, morphed into CHAMP Car and merged with IndyCar which started its series in Toronto in 2009. The defending IndyCar Toronto winner is Josef Newgarden who set the record for the fastest race with a time of 1:35:05.3522 hours over 85 laps at an average speed of 95.790 mph.
IndyCar drivers meet the media

Josef Newgarden

The street course is IndyCar's second longest running street race (see the track build here) and in 2018 will feature three Canadian Drivers; James Hinchcliffe, Robert Wickens and Zachary Claman De Melo. James just won the last IndyCar race and there will be a battle royale between him and Josef Newgarden.

Also on the schedule is the NASCAR Pinty's Series, Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires, Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires, Cooper Tires USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda and the Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Yokohama.

There are two beer gardens - Pinty's Pub and Grill at Turn 1 and the Miller Lite Deck at the end of Thunder Alley. Paddocks include the IndyCar Paddock and the Road to Indy Paddock in the Enercare Centre while the Porsche and NASCAR Paddocks are in the infield along Thunder Alley. You can find more info on the Honda Indy on my post here.

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