The Honda Indy is gearing up for an exciting weekend, featuring a fresh location that promises enjoyment for fans and surprises on the track.
After many years at the Roar by the Lakeshore, the Indy has relocated north to Markham. A street circuit has been constructed around the Markham Pan Am Centre and York University Markham campus, which will be a new experience for both drivers and spectators.
Events schedule
Kicking things off is Free Fan Friday on Aug. 14. With a suggested donation to Make-A-Wish Canada, fans can enter the grounds where various racing series will conduct practice and qualifying sessions.
Off-track fun will also be in full swing, featuring an autograph session with Indycar drivers scheduled for 12:30 p. m. at the Pan Am Centre.
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On Saturday, qualifying for the main event will occur from 2:25-4 p. m. This process determines how cars will line up for Sunday’s race. After qualifying wraps up, NASCAR’s Canada Series will take over the track, followed by a performance from Kingston country band The Glorious Sons.
Sunday is race day! Driver introductions start at 11:30 a. m., with the green flag set to drop approximately an hour later at exactly 12:22 p. m. The cars will race for 90 laps before one driver claims victory with the checkered flag.
How to get there
The organizers are encouraging race fans to use the GO train. Unionville GO Station is conveniently close to the track, and Metrolinx is enhancing service on the Stouffville Line due to this major event.
On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, three additional trains will run from Union Station to Unionville GO in the morning and return in the afternoon and early evening. Specific times for these trips can be found on the GO Transit website.
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Parking options are available near the track, with larger lots located west of the event area off Enterprise Boulevard.
Honda Indy Markham festival map. Honda Indy Markham
What it means for Markham
The Honda Indy spent nearly 40 years at Toronto’s Exhibition Grounds. So when Indycar announced its move to Markham-an untested site for auto racing-it took many by surprise.
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Frank Scarpitti has been serving as mayor of Markham since 2006 and played a key role in bringing this race to his city. “This is our moment to shine,” he stated. “We’re extremely honoured to host this world-class event.”
Scarpitti noted that discussions between Indycar and Markham about relocating began back in January 2025. By July, they had finalized everything.
“When we made the announcement, many people in our own community asked ‘is this real? Is the Indy actually coming to the city of Markham?'” Scarpitti remarked.
“I don’t think any [other] city in Canada could have pulled off getting this agreement.”
A key condition set by Scarpitti was that Indycar needed to commit long-term to Markham. “The Indy race was looking for a new home, and one of things we made very clear is if we were going to make investments in infrastructure, we needed them here for five years,” he explained.
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Since signing that five-year deal, Scarpitti said officials from Indycar have expressed interest in staying in Markham beyond those initial years.
The mayor estimates that this weekend alone could bring about $50 million in economic activity. “All municipalities within York Region benefit from this event,” he added. “Markham doesn’t have enough hotels right now so other communities nearby will see advantages too.”
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“Restaurants even as far away as Scarborough or North York will feel positive effects because of having this race hosted here.”
A common concern among Toronto residents was how loud it would be; past races rattled windows all through Liberty Village all weekend long.
“The benefits our community gains far outweigh any temporary disruption,” Scarpitti noted. “That disruption won’t last forever but its impact will resonate well into future years.”.....
