Local residents are already off to the races as Markham gears up to host the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy for the first time this August.
“I’ve had people say to me, ‘I’ve gone and driven the track.’ And I say, ‘Well, you better have followed the speed limit, because the only people who can go fast on that thing are the Indy drivers’,” laughs Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “But that’s the kind of excitement that is starting to build.”
Seeking a next chapter for the race after 40 years in downtown Toronto, organizers Green Savoree chose Markham for the city’s accessibility and growth potential.
“Markham is very strategically located,” says Jeff Atkinson, president, Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham for Green Savoree. “Whether it be bus or train, 407, 401, 400 – all the roads lead to Markham.”
Green Savoree’s research showed that 71 per cent of Indy fans will have an easier commute to the Markham facility compared to its previous location. They announced the five-year deal, running until 2030, last September.
Then, the work began.
“Just a couple of weeks ago, we put the last layer of asphalt right across the whole track – our roads are in great condition in Markham, but fair to say that for the race the cars need a higher quality of asphalt,” Scarpitti says. “So we are set and ready to go.”
Designing a ‘smooth, flowy race track’ with huge passing opportunities
The new 2.19-mile, 12-turn track promises a competitive experience for drivers and enhanced sight lines for spectators.
“Street racing, in terms of motorsport events, can be very clunky at times. This is a very smooth, flowy race track, and there’s a lot of passing opportunities,” Atkinson says.
“The Remington Turn Five hairpin is a little bit banked, it has some elevation. It’ll be coming off a high speed area to a very slow speed to get around, which creates a huge passing opportunity. And then they’ll take off and go to probably the fastest corner, which is Turn Six. This racetrack is going to have a lot of passing zones, and we just don’t see that all the time at other street courses.”
While the drivers are enjoying the track, fans are going to love the view. “Our grandstands are all in great locations,” Atkinson says. “You’re going to see much more than just the car going past you.”
Fans and drivers alike will thrill to Markham’s three-day celebration of racing, on and off the track.Photos Courtesy of Green Savoree
The double-sided pit lanes are a point of pride for the organizers, an IndyCar best practice that few other races in North America have. “It’ll be great for the spectators that are there, and will also make for great television,” Scarpitti says.
The three-day lineup features the return of NASCAR Canada on Saturday and the main NTT IndyCar series event on Sunday, kicking off with a charitable tradition on Friday.
“Friday, we start with the Ontario Honda Dealers present Free Fan Friday, where we ask for a voluntary donation in support of Make-A-Wish,” Atkinson says. “We’ve raised $1.1 million since 2010.”
Extending the experience off the track
The races might be the main attraction, but there’s lots in-store for fans beyond the track. The festival grounds include the Thunder Alley vendor space, the family-friendly Speed Zone and an air-conditioned cool down area in the Pan Am Centre, not to mention the paddock in the middle of the action.
“Stick and ball sports, you’re there for just the game. For a motorsport event, you are walking around, you have the opportunity to get into the paddock. You can actually interact with the athletes,” Atkinson says.
That’s part of the thrill for Paul Cicchini, owner of local restaurant The Duchess of Markham and proud Markham resident.
“Racing fans are passionate,” he says. “With Formula One, the drivers, the cars, the track is kind of off-limits to the public. Whereas Indy, NASCAR, they want the public to come in, they want to have residents go in and walk the track, so you can see the pit crews working on cars, and you’re up close and personal.”
Just two kilometres north of the track, historic Main Street Unionville is preparing to host thousands of visitors by expanding patios and extending operating hours.
“We want to provide welcoming streets for the global racing fans,” says Sonia Chow, executive director of the Unionville BIA.
This first Indy in Markham will be a celebration of everything this vibrant community has to offer, from start to finish line.Photos Courtesy of Green Savoree
Chow says they will have Indy-themed programming throughout the weekend, including an exotic car display, a toy car show and an “Indie” games exhibition, as well as a racing simulator and four-wheel slot car tournament.
“I’m looking forward to people coming to our street not just for the dining experience, but to enjoy the vibrance of Main Street Unionville, which was just renovated,” Chow says. “I’m excited not just for the visitors, but also our residents – that we celebrate the first year of the Indy together, and of course, support our local businesses.”
Benefiting Markham and its residents for years to come
The economic ripple effects are expected to boost hotels, shops and restaurants across Markham and the surrounding GTA communities. “Markham is going to benefit from having the race in our backyard,” Scarpitti says.
For example, the Indy creates somewhere in the neighbourhood of 19,000 hotel room nights. “The fact is we don’t have enough hotels in Markham, so all of our surrounding communities in York Region, even Scarborough, North York, they’re going to benefit from this race being located here in Markham,” he says.
Above all, the goal is to deliver an unforgettable weekend for motorsport fans.
“The officials at the City of Markham, the officials with IndyCar, we all wanted something that was going to leave a legacy, not only for the sport, but for the city,” Atkinson says. “We believe the fans are going to be the big winners, and hopefully seeing one of the most exciting races this season, and for many, many years to come.”
For residents like Cicchini, hosting the historic event marks a major milestone for Markham.
“They always say if you want to be a big city, you have to act like a big city, you have to take those big swings, and Markham is definitely taking those big swings,” he says.
“I’m excited to show off our city.”
Plan your weekend, book your tickets and more at visitmarkham.ca/indy.
Advertising feature produced by Globe Content Studio with Destination Markham. The Globe’s editorial department was not involved.
