The streets throughout Exhibition Place will soon be ignited with the arrival of the Honda Indy Toronto 2012 on Friday, July 6 with the race happening Sunday, July 8, 2012. If last year’s race is any indication, we’ll be in for more crashes and full-course yellow cautions (with hopefully no injuries) as a result of a rule change that now allows cars to pass double-file after full course cautions.
Last year’s winner, Dario Franchitti, won after a scuffle with Will Power, so we’ll see if the ensuing rivalry produces a new winner this year. Other favourites include Ryan Hunter Reay, Alex Tagliani and Canadians James Hinchcliffe and “The Thrill From West Hill” Paul Tracey.
For the third year in a row, the Ontario Honda Dealers Association is sponsoring Free Friday, which allows free public access to the grandstands and paddocks on Friday, July 6. Some of the highlights on Friday include Ferrari practices, IZOD IndyCar practices, Star Mazda practices and the first qualifying Ferrari race. If it gets too hot, you can slip into the Craft Beer House or try and score a seat at the trackside beer gardens.
Reserved grandstand seating for adults ranges from $60-$120 on Saturday, $65 to $135 on Sunday and $90 to $185 for both Saturday and Sunday. Reserved grandstand seating for juniors (12 and under who must accompany adults) is $50 to $95 on Saturday, $55 to $110 on Sunday and $75 to $135 for Saturday and Sunday. General admission tickets are $30-$45 for adults and $15 to $30 for juniors. Although general admission tickets do not guarantee seating, you will be able to access the Thunder Alley grandstand on a first-come, first-serve basis. You may also be able to find a seat at the south side hill on Turn 3, which is the most treacherous turn of the course, if space is available.
Leave your audio/video recorders, laptops, food, beverages, coolers and folding chairs at home since they are not permitted. You can bring your camera, seat cushions, umbrellas and backpacks, but are asked to be considerate of spectators. Race time on Sunday is 12:53 p.m.
