via Indycar.com
TORONTO, ON, June 11, 2015 – There are a few things encroaching on the Honda Indy Toronto's space at Exhibition Place, but as they have since 1986 organizers are adjusting.
Construction of a large-scale hotel complex begun in spring 2014 has impacted pit out and an expansion of the east side of BMO Field (home of FC Toronto) has tightened display space. Those are permanent changes from 2014.
A sand volleyball stadium, which is being constructed for the Pan-American Games in July, is temporary but has displaced the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires paddock and altered the shape and location of the Verizon IndyCar Series paddock. Exhibition Place will host 15 sports at five venues.
Because of the Pan-Am Games, the Honda Indy Toronto also is a month earlier than its traditional date.
"We're not without our challenges this year from an operations standpoint," Honda Indy Toronto president Charlie Johnstone said. "But we've known these things were happening for a long time and have planned for them. I always chuckle when people ask, 'What is it you do the rest of the year?' Well, we plan for these weeks and days leading into it. Here we are race week and we're ready to go."
The 1.755-mile, 11-turn street circuit that will host the Verizon IndyCar Series and all three rungs of the Mazda Road to Indy has changed little since the first race.
If anything, the venue this year is unique, though fans will easily locate their favorite food and beverage locations – two orders of poutine please -- and there again is a large Honda display near BMO Field.
"It's really about the whole festival atmosphere," said Johnstone, who noted that Molson has returned as an event sponsor after seven years away. "It's getting people down to the site that maybe haven't been here before to really see and hear the sounds of Indy cars and see the drivers and get up close. That's what creates that energy and excitement.
"The more we can do that to get people down on‑site, I think that continues for the next race. It helps the broadcast, people get engaged, they see it, they feel it, they smell it, and they come back next year, so that's what we'll continue to build on."
