Fan and Family Activities Highlight Honda Canada’s 10th Year of Title Sponsorship
TORONTO (June 26, 2018) – The thrills of the 32nd edition of the Honda Indy Toronto, July 13-15, will be accelerated with a multitude of fan and family activities starting with Fan Friday at Exhibition Place. Race fans and festival-goers get free general admission compliments of the Ontario Honda Dealers Association on the opening day with a voluntary donation to Make-A-Wish® Canada.
Celebrating its 10th year of involvement as title sponsor of this annual summer festival, Honda Canada will have exhibits and interactive activities filling Honda World and the Honda SpeedZone within Thunder Alley. Both locations are positioned near the Turn 11 Honda pedestrian bridge.
"Honda's DNA is built on six decades of racing and we’re extremely proud to celebrate that heritage and our success in the IndyCar series,” said Jean Marc Leclerc, Senior Vice President of Honda Canada Inc. “We’re honoured to support the Honda Indy Toronto for the tenth year, as the premier sporting event brings the excitement of racing to the streets of Toronto.”
Honda World is the place for fans of all ages, but those aged six to 12 years get the chance to suit up in proper riding gear and participate in the popular Junior Red Riders motorcycle program free of charge. In addition to a wide-ranging display of race-inspired Honda vehicles like the sporty Type R, Honda Power Equipment, ATVs, and motorcycles, Acura will also showcase its NSX GT3 race car and Acura ARX-05 prototype plus more. Honda World will also be home to racing simulators, James Hinchcliffe’s replica show car to get a picture taken alongside, a large video wall to not miss any of the on track racing coverage, and more.
In Honda SpeedZone as part of Thunder Alley, numerous activities will be featured including golf practice swing zone, Toronto Blue Jays™ baseball batting cage, hockey slap shot zone, face painting, free popcorn and other items. Even play the Plinko board to win Honda prizes.
“Honda Canada and Ontario Honda Dealers’ activation around this event has grown every year since their support began in 2009. The Honda Indy Toronto is a must do for festival-goers and a top tourist destination from people across the globe,” says Jeff Atkinson, President of Honda Indy Toronto. “The momentum and enthusiasm for this summer festival continues to build. We are proud to work with a great partner in Honda to deliver a spectacular show at the Honda Indy Toronto.”
The raffle to support Make-A-Wish also returns to the Honda Indy Toronto. Chances to win once in a lifetime experiences from the Toronto Blue Jays and the NHL, two tickets to anywhere WestJet flies, and James Hinchcliffe’s race suit from this year’s Honda Indy Toronto are just some of the items which will be up for grabs. Honda Indy Toronto has also secured autographed items for the raffle including an NFL quarterback Matt Ryan football, Toronto Maple Leafs Morgan Rielly jersey and Toronto FC team jersey for the raffle. Voluntary donations will also be accepted for Make-A-Wish for all activities in both Honda World and Honda SpeedZone. All donations from generous race fans throughout the weekend will be matched dollar for dollar by the Honda Canada Foundation.
Before the Verizon IndyCar Series, NASCAR Pinty’s Series and Mazda Road to Indy competitors take the track on Friday, the Indy Cycling Challenge is first up Thursday afternoon, July 12th, to raise money for Prostate Cancer Canada. The second annual event features 10KM (4 laps) or 25KM (9 laps) Challenges for cyclists around the temporary street circuit on Exhibition Place. Entries are limited and are open now at theindychallenge.com.
Two-day General Admission is $55 and Two-day Reserved Grandstand seats start at $85 including taxes. Kids 12 and under receive free general admission throughout the weekend when accompanied by a ticketed adult. For complete ticket pricing and event information, visit hondaindy.com or call 877-725-8849.
ABOUT THE HONDA INDY TORONTO
Dating back to the first race in 1986, Honda Indy Toronto is a world-class motorsports festival which takes place annually on the streets surrounding Exhibition Place near Lake Ontario and downtown Toronto. The event features many attractions, including beer gardens, food trucks, interactive displays and activities, and charity events. As one of Ontario's largest annual summer festivals, it has become a prestigious meeting place for some of the world’s fastest race car drivers including Marco Andretti, Scott Dixon, and Josef Newgarden, as well as Canadian racing greats James Hinchcliffe and Robert Wickens, including other past native Indy car drivers like Greg Moore, Alex Tagliani, Paul Tracy, and Jacques Villeneuve. The event is owned and operated by Green Savoree Racing Promotions, which also promotes The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio (July 27-29, 2018), Grand Prix of Portland (August 31-September 2, 2018), and Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (March 8-10, 2019).
For more information, visit hondaindy.com, ‘like’ its Facebook page @HondaIndyToronto or follow the event on Twitter @HondaIndy and Instagram @HondaIndy using #indyTO.
Media Inquiries:
Steve Bidlack, Manager Marketing and Communications
419-884-4000 Ext. 4623 (office) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
