Toronto - Honda Indy Free Friday, July 6

[sprung]

source
(http://www.hondaindytoronto.com/event-info)
Free admission, etc. Fun event. This year they have Ontario Craft Brewers as a sponsor so you'll have much better beers to pick from than in previous times.

You'll see qualifying races, practice laps, and more.

BTW - good idea to bring ear protection, especially for young children.

"Come experience the sights and sounds of the 2012 Honda Indy Toronto as we open our gates for FREE FRIDAY courtesy of the Ontario Honda Dealers Association. All grandstands will be accessible allowing you to enjoy every thrilling vantage point and all paddocks will be open providing you great behind the scenes access in the IZOD IndyCar Series Paddock all day!"

[willdacanucker]

This will be year 3 for us going to this. It is an awesome time all around. SO MUCH free swag to be had as well on free Friday. Although truth be told last years was a fair bit less swag than the year before. Oh well. Still a great family time.

[pessamystic]

i may be wrong on this but i don't think so. Last year we weren't allowed to bring water in. some people made up stories about their kid's medical condition or something but many had to pour it out.

[smoraes]

yeah i think last year any sealed small water/juice bottles were confiscated but bring an empty water/juice or plastic/stainless steel bottle and their will be water stations from toronto water and the allstream/direct energy buildings to fill with water and probably refillable water stations on the grounds

[beautifulsoul88]

is it convenient access by TTC? how far is the walk and where do people sit?

[beautifulsoul88]

is it convenient access by TTC? how far is the walk and where do people sit?

[beautifulsoul88]

is it convenient access by TTC? how far is the walk and where do people sit?

[smoraes]

http://www.hondaindytoronto.com/spectator-guide

[X820]

camera check! lens....24-105...not long enough, but it will do. Hat, check!

[sprung]

yeah i think last year any sealed small water/juice bottles were confiscated but bring an empty water/juice or plastic/stainless steel bottle and their will be water stations from toronto water and the allstream/direct energy buildings to fill with water and probably refillable water stations on the grounds

the other crazy thing last year was the Dr Pepper free samples. They were giving away bottles of the stuff literally right outside the Indy entrances. However, you couldn't bring them inside. So people were either chugging them or just leaving almost full bottles by the gates, what a mess! Fortunately plenty more free ones were available once inside the grounds.

outside food and drinks not allowed again (http://www.hondaindytoronto.com/spectator-guide#permissable) this year

[appleb]

Is the no drinks allowed thing really a security issue, or is it because they want you to buy drinks there?

[smoraes]

FOOD & BEVERAGE

No food and/or drinks may be brought onto the race grounds with the exception of empty water bottles for fountain water. Free fountain water is available on site within the Direct Energy Centre, Allstream Centre or outdoor water bottle refilling stations. To ensure the safety of our event staff and racers on track, only closed food and beverage containers can be carried over bridges or track crossings. For example, water bottles are permitted across a bridge as long as the cap is securely fastened.

If you have specific food allergies or a medical condition that requires you to bring food and drinks onto the race grounds, please contact the Honda Indy Toronto at 416-588-7223.

[cheapmeister]

So like what goes on on this free day?
Do the cars have practice laps?
Can you go in the pits?
What sort of free stuff do they have, like bumper stickers?

How much is parking going to cost?
How much does the food/drinks cost?

[ticky]

So like what goes on on this free day?
Do the cars have practice laps?
Can you go in the pits?
What sort of free stuff do they have, like bumper stickers?

How much is parking going to cost?
How much does the food/drinks cost?

-- http://www.hondaindytoronto.com/117-schedule-of-events
-- Bumper stickers? Really?
-- It's a sporting event. Parking, food and drink is going to be expensive. But hey, it's free entry, so you have nothing to complain about.

[djemzine]

Noob question, never been to an Indy car race before, but have been to the Canadian F1 GP. These cars are not F1 cars right? From looking at videos, seems as though they're not.

Can anyone verify?

[sourkeys]

They are not f1 cars.

[djemzine]

They are not f1 cars.

Gotcha. Thanks.

[kiz5]

They aren't F1 cars but they're the closest thing you'll get to them without going to Montreal.

I've shot these races, and tried to have conversations on the phone a half-kilometre away, with the person struggling to hear me on the other end.

The power and speed of them is still incredible. While the Toronto track is tough and hard on the cars, the F1 cars wouldn't perform much better. Its just not optimal conditions like they require.

Some will find it boring seeing blurs go by, but for those who have never seen cars go insanely fast before, the Friday is by far the best thing to happen for this race. You're better off watching the actual race on tv, but its better to be there Friday, instead of Sunday.

[tubbyfu]

They aren't F1 cars but they're the closest thing you'll get to them without going to Montreal.

I've shot these races, and tried to have conversations on the phone a half-kilometre away, with the person struggling to hear me on the other end.

The power and speed of them is still incredible. While the Toronto track is tough and hard on the cars, the F1 cars wouldn't perform much better. Its just not optimal conditions like they require.

Some will find it boring seeing blurs go by, but for those who have never seen cars go insanely fast before, the Friday is by far the best thing to happen for this race. You're better off watching the actual race on tv, but its better to be there Friday, instead of Sunday.

I went on the free Friday .. loved it and bought a ticket to go watch the actual race last year on Sunday. Going on sunday again this year. I'll be going on both Friday and Sunday this year.
In terms of experience, I would say the two are different, not one better than the other.
Toronto is a street course which makes it a lot more fun to watch imo (like monoco for F1 i guess), because you can drive on the same roads that they race on. Last year, I drove through exhibition place a few times right before the week of the race and they had the barriers up already .. pretty cool feeling :)
Also, Honda Indy is a lot more accessible. On Friday the paddocks are open to public so you can get up close to the race cars!!!!!!!! So much fun!! The paddocks are an additional $35 as i recall .. And it felt a lot more family friendly on Friday so I would suggest Friday as well and see how much you like it .. its free! they do have qualifiers for some of the other races.

and definately bring ear plugs!!

[taal]

Last qualifying on Friday seems to be between 4-5pm, so no point in coming if you can't make it for that ?

[kiz5]

Last qualifying on Friday seems to be between 4-5pm, so no point in coming if you can't make it for that ?

Do you mean Ferrari qualifying?

And, with qualifying vs practice, the difference in speed isn't too noticeable. They take the turns a bit harder, with a bit more speed, but to the eyes, its not a big difference.

Here's the schedule though:

Friday July 6, 2012
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

[taal]

Right I meant the qualifying, but how long do they practice ? Until 6pm ?

[kiz5]

Right I meant the qualifying, but how long do they practice ? Until 6pm ?

Come on and read....

[pt78dragon]

after the 5pm event, how long does the area stay open till? is there an opportunity to walk around and check out the cars or do they lock up and kick everyone out?

[flyer12]

anyone else go to this today?
My 4 year old son was super excited about seeing the 'Cars', so I beared the HEAT and went for a few hours but it was super hot.

[kiz5]

anyone else go to this today?
My 4 year old son was super excited about seeing the 'Cars', so I beared the HEAT and went for a few hours but it was super hot.

Went and enjoyed it.

However, had an umbrella, ear muffs, a towel, and multiple water bottles.

Very hot though.