Honda Indy Toronto track build 2019

Sunday, June 16, 2019

Honda Indy Toronto track build 2019

See my coverage of the 2019 race on my post here

Update June 29, 2019: 11 days left until the start of the Honda Indy Toronto race weekend and work around the track continues. Little of the concrete block barriers remain to be installed as they concentrate on installing grandstands, suites, fence posts and fencing. The long Turn 11 grandstands are taking shape and the pedestrian bridge is being assembled. Down at Princes' Gates the Pinty's Pub and Grill outdoor lounge is starting to take shape. No painted start line and no banners have been placed yet.

Panorama of Turn 1 and Princes' Gates

Outside Turn 11 trackside suites

Inside Turn 11 grandstands

The pedestrian bridge going into place over pit lane

Now back to the previous June 23rd update--------------------------------------

Panorama of pit lane

Update June 23: a majority of the concrete barriers are in place except for intersections, building access, etc. with the pits looking all blocked in. Most fencing still needs to be put up on the barriers. Grandstands and suites are under construction and the start/finish line still needs to be painted.

Barriers from the Enercare Centre towards the Start/Finish and into Turn 1 near Princes' Gates

The Trackside Suite at Pit End is taking shape

The Turn 10 Grandstand is up (left), and the Pit Lane Trackside Suite is being built (right)

As we get closer to Honda Indy we should be thinking of alternate traffic routes if you plan to drive into the area because of the upcoming road closures. Within Exhibition Place these roads will be closed from all day Tuesday, July 9 to all day Monday, July 15: Canada Boulevard, Newfoundland Road, Nova Scotia Avenue, Nunavut Road, Ontario Drive, Prince Edward Island Crescent, Princes' Boulevard, Quebec Street and Saskatchewan Road. The westbound lanes of Lake Shore Boulevard West will also be closed at the same time.

One day later the rest of Lake Shore Boulevard at Exhibition Place will be closed all day Wednesday, July 10 to all day Monday, July 15, along with the southbound lanes of Strachan Avenue.

Finally, Manitoba Drive will be closed all day Thursday to 4pm on Monday, July 15.

Looking from Turn 9 to Turn 10 with Pit Lane on the left

Turn 7

Turn 6 at the Princess Margaret Fountain. This is where the track maintenance and tow trucks park when not in use

-------------------------- Back to the June 16 post-------------------------------------------------

With less than a month to go till the latest edition of Toronto RaceFest, construction crews have already started putting together the temporary 2.89km, 11-turn street track in Exhibition Place and onto Lake Shore Boulevard. This year's race weekend is July 12-14 and ticket prices have not changed for the second year in a row. Fan Friday free general admission returns for the 10th year, courtesy of the Ontario Honda Dealers Association with a voluntary donation to Make-a-Wish Canada.

Turn 3 grandstand - Lake Shore Blvd W and Ontario Dr

Honda Indy Toronto Director of Track Operations leads the large crew in putting up the barriers and fences needed to safely contain the race cars and to put up the extensive grandstands that line the route. "Concrete barrier block placement has begun along Manitoba and Ontario Drives. In total over 2,050 blocks made using more than 10 million pounds of concrete will be positioned. Fencing spanning 14,000 feet made from 410,000 pounds of steel will be erected, and over 1,600 feet of tire wall barriers will line the course."

Festival map

See more after the jump.

NTT IndyCar is half way through the 2019 season and the current points leader is Josef Newgarden - who has won twice in Toronto (2015 and 2017). Also on the track will be the following race series: Robby Gordon's Stadium SUPER Trucks, NASCAR Pinty's Series, Road to Indy presented by Cooper Tires and the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama.

Turn 2 on Lake Shore Blvd W near the Princes' Gates

“Robby Gordon’s Stadium SUPER Trucks are a spectacular and popular feature that we are thrilled to add back on the schedule for the first time since 2016!” said Jeff Atkinson, Honda Indy Toronto President. “On and off track, this annual summer Toronto tradition has so much to experience for festival-goers of all ages. A variety of single-day and weekend ticket options and unique packages at varying price points help make the event accessible to all.”