2012 Honda Indy Toronto Events and Attractions

The course is set up, the stands are ready and Honda Indy Toronto has just announced that celebrity, business leader and Ferrari race car driver Robert Herjavec will be the 2012 race Grand Marshal..

"Herjavec’s celebrity status has expanded with his former leading role Dragons' Den, the #1 TV show in Canada (now in its 7th season) and the American hit show Shark Tank (now taping its 4th season on ABC). Herjavec has also gone back to one of his first loves, auto racing, competing in the Ferrari Challenge across North America. He won both races at this year’s season-opener in St. Petersburg, Florida, won the 2011 “Rookie of the Year” title for the Ferrari Challenge and with five podium finishes this season is poised to win the series. Herjavec will be competing this weekend in Toronto as the driver of Ferrari #007 and will be appearing at the Ferrari fan zone."

Update: Enter here for a chance to win a Ferrari Fan Zone Experience at the 2012 Honda Indy Toronto! Contest closes June 28. Ten tickets are available to be won by Toronto Grand Prix Tourist Blog readers! Great odds for a great event. Contest is now over - see you in the zone!

The @HondaIndy #Toronto isn't all burning rubber and the rumble of powerful engines, although that is the highlight - it is also about the off track events that make a full weekend of entertainment. Friday July 6 is free admission courtesy of Ontario Honda Dealers so it is a great day to come out and check out the track and see the cars in action, walk through the paddocks and enjoy a few brews at the beer tents. If you like what you see then plan to come back Saturday and Sunday. Beautiful pit  or grid girls and promotions are also a big part of the 25th anniversary weekend.

The race series include Star Mazda, Firestone Indy Lights, 458 Ferrari Challenge and the headline IZOD IndyCar (the race starts at 1pm on Sunday). No drifting, motorcycles or NASCAR Canadian Tire Series this year (hopefully NASCAR will be back next year). Sometimes there are events in Yonge-Dundas Square and there might even be a driver street party! Track construction is well underway and single day tickets are also on sale right now!

I will try to keep track and post both the on and off track events in the week heading into the Friday July 6-8, 2012.

Pre-Race Events

Thursday July 5, 2012

Bay Street Grand Prix and After Party with Flo Rida and Mia Martina:
Philanthropists Andrew and Cathy DeFrancesco host the Bay Street Grand Prix, the ultimate go-kart racing fundraiser in support of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre’s Women & Babies Program
A day of races kicks off at 11 a.m. with a special celebrity go-kart race featuring some of Canada’s beloved talent like Elvis Stojko, Nick Kypreos, Amanda Lang, Jason Arnott and more.

Canadian auto racing driver and IZOD IndyCar Series driver Alex Tagliani, will greet fans and autograph free cards at the Loblaws® store at Maple Leaf Gardens from 4-7pm. Tagliani will also be launching Tag On The Go®, a new peanut-free cookie inspired by his own peanut allergy and taste tasted by himself to ensure that the final product was a delicious and safe treat for everyone.

YMCA of GTA annual Relay for Strong Kids fundraiser on on the track at 7pm. Participants will receive a free Saturday general admission ticket.

Honda Indy Toronto Off Track Events and Attractions

IZOD IndyCar Paddock

Firestone Indy Lights Paddock

Support Series Paddock

Victory Cirle

Bay Street Grand Prix Kart Stars

Honda World (Thunder Alley): "Explore the triumphs of Honda’s proud racing history and look at the new Honda Indy engine or be your own pit crew and go for the fastest tire-change time. For the kids, or just the young-at-heart, have your photo taken with Tony Stark’s one-of-a-kind Acura Super car from the hit movie, The Avengers or let the kids learn motorcycle basics and rip around in Honda’s Junior Red Rider program. There's something for everyone at Honda World."

Dr Pepper Cooler Can Racing (Thunder Alley) and sampling (behind Dr Pepper Grandstand): "Dr Pepper is offering consumers a one-of-a-kind experience in Dr Pepper Cooler Cans and will be sampling at the Dr Pepper Diner bend the Dr Pepper Grandstand at Turn 11."

Hot Wheels® (Thunder Alley): "Hot Wheels® is hitting the road and travelling across Canada all summer long for kids and Hot Wheels® fans to get a sneak peak of the latest Hot Wheels® toys! Stopping at the Honda Indy Toronto, kids will have the opportunity to play with the coolest toys imaginable, including the latest Wall Tracks™ sets, the most outrageous Team Hot Wheels™ stunts and the all new, never been seen before, Ballistiks™! But that’s not all, because there’s also a chance to win awesome prizes and everyone will go home with a 2012 Hot Wheels Poster. Be sure to check it all out in Thunder Alley or go to www.hotwheels.ca for more event information."

Craft Beer House: "New Beer Partners, local Craft Brewers Muskoka Brewery and Amsterdam Brewery, will serve and sample some of their original brews, including a event exclusive Honda Indy Toronto Collaboration Beer, in the newly added Craft Beer House. Beer is also available for sale across the site, thanks to the new full site license."

Friday July 6

"FREE FRIDAY AT THE TRACK: For the third year in a row, the Ontario Honda Dealers Association (OHDA) will pay the cost of admission for fans to enjoy the speed and spectacle of the Honda Indy Toronto on Friday, July 6. With generous support from fans, Honda Canada and the OHDA have raised more than $200,000 for Make-A-Wish® during the previous two seasons, helping to make the wishes of children who are living with a life-threatening medical condition come true. In lieu of admission, and to take part in various onsite games and activities, Free Friday attendees are encouraged to donate to Make-A-Wish."

Saturday July 7

10:45 am - 11:15 am Star Mazda Driver Autograph Session

11:40 am - 12:10 am Firestone Indy Lights Driver Autograph Session

4:15 pm - 5:15 pm IndyCar Driver Autograph Session

Sunday July 8

12:00 pm IZOD IndyCar Pre-Race at Victory Circle

3:00 pm - 3:30 pm Post-Race at Victory Circle

10 pm Annual HinchTown Party hosted by James Hinchcliffe: "Toronto’s James Hinchcliffe is excited to once again play host to his fellow IZOD IndyCar Series racers and fans alike at the 7th Annual HinchTown Party at Maison Mercer following the Honda Indy Toronto on Sunday, July 8. Doors to Maison Mercer, 15 Mercer Street, Toronto, open at 10pm on Sunday 8th July with members of the public able to purchase entry to the HinchTown Party for $20 each, visit www.maisonmercer.com."

Honda Indy Toronto map

See my posts of the various grandstand locations here.

Honda Indy Toronto has released its On-Track Schedule 2012:

Friday July 6, 2012 - Free Friday

7:00 am - 5:00 pm Credentials
8:00 am - 6:00 pm Gates Open
8:00 am - 8:30 am Star Mazda Practice
8:45 am - 9:25 am Ferrari Practice
9:45 am - 10:45 am Firestone Indy Lights Practice
11:05 am - 12:05 pm IZOD Indy Car Practice
12:05 pm - 12:20 pm VIP Pit Walk-Thru
12:20 pm - 12:50 pm Ferrari Practice
1:05 pm - 1:35 pm Star Mazda Practice
1:55 pm - 2:55 pm IZOD IndyCar Practice
3:15 pm - 4:00 pm Firestone Indy Lights Practice
4:20 pm - 5:00 pm Ferrari Qualifying #1

Saturday July 7, 2012

7:00 am - 5:00 pm Credentials
8:00 am - 5:30 pm Gates Open
8:00 am - 8:30 am Star Mazda Qualifying
8:45 am - 9:30 am Firestone Indy Lights Qualifying
9:45 am - 10:45 am IZOD Indy Car Practice
11:00 am - 11:40 am Ferrari Qualifying #2
11:45 am - 12:05 pm VIP Pit Walk-Thru
12:10 pm - 12:50 pm Star Mazda Race #1
1:05 pm - 2:25 pm IZOD IndyCar Qualifying
2:40 pm - 3:30 pm Ferrari Race #1
3:25 pm - 4:25 pm IndyCar driver autograph session
3:45 pm Indy Lights Pre-Race
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Firestone Indy Lights Race – 50 Laps

Sunday July 8. 2012

7:00 am -11:00 am Credentials
8:00 am - 4:00 pm Gates Open
8:00 am - 8:20 am Pace Car Rides
8:30 am - 9:00 am IZOD IndyCar Warm-Up
9:10 am - 9:30 am Pace Car Rides
9:50 am - 10:30 am Star Mazda Race #2
10:50 am - 11:40 am Ferrari Race #2
11:40 am - 12:00 pm VIP Pit Walk-Thru
12:00 pm IZOD IndyCar Pre-Race
12:30 pm - 3:00 pm Honda Indy Toronto – 85 Laps
DYSE at 12:53 pm
Green Flag at 1:00 pm
3:00 pm - 3:30 pm Post-Race

You have read this article event / Honda Indy / racing / Toronto with the title 2012 Honda Indy Toronto Events and Attractions. You can bookmark this page URL https://chriswiggin.blogspot.com/2012/06/2012-honda-indy-toronto-events-and.html. Thanks!