Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham delivers high-octane thrills and family festival fun
By Gene Pereira, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
When high-speed open-wheel racing arrives in Markham this summer, the excitement extends far beyond the final checkered flag.
The Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham — running August 14 through 16 — is designed from the ground up as a multi-day community celebration. Whether you are a lifelong motorsport purist, a family looking for an accessible weekend outing, or a first-time spectator curious about the noise and energy, the event offers something for every age, interest, and budget.
“It brings a lot of people to the city that you are hosting these events in,” says Jeff Atkinson, President of the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham. “In Ontario, we’re lucky to draw from all over the province, and we do international sporting events.
“The attraction we get worldwide, especially in the U.S. with the Fox television broadcast, is exciting. It’s great to see these come to life and ultimately reflect on how much momentum and excitement is created.”
At the heart of the event is a brand-new, 12-turn, 3.52-kilometre (2.19-mile) street circuit that promises non-stop action. Designed to test driver skill and reward tactical overtakes, the track features a unique banked hairpin at Turn 5—the Remington Hairpin—and a long, fast back straightaway leading into Turn 6.
For spectators, sightlines are a top priority. A double-sided pit lane—an uncommon feature in street racing—gives fans in the pit grandstands an unobstructed, bird’s-eye view of all the pit-stop strategy and crew drama on race day.
Beyond the headlining NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the weekend schedule spans multiple racing disciplines. Fans will see junior open-wheel action in the USF 2000 and USF Pro Championships, light sports cars in the Radical Cup, and heavy-metal stock car action during Saturday afternoon’s main event, the NASCAR Canada Series.
Creating an inclusive environment where new fans can fall in love with the sport is central to the event’s vision. To keep things budget-friendly, admission for kids aged 12 and under is completely free all weekend long for general admission.
For young race fans, the Rookie Racers program offers an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience, ranging from special meet-and-greets to walking the High 5 Line alongside drivers. Meanwhile, adult fans looking to get close to the action can purchase passes to the Aviva IndyCar Paddock.
“I’ve often said it’s an attack on one’s senses,” Atkinson says. “The sound, the smell, the visuals. To see a car reach the speed it does—there’s nothing like it. The access you get with the Aviva IndyCar Paddock lets you get up close with your favourite athletes on a game day. You don’t get that opportunity in stick-and-ball sports. You can’t walk into the Toronto Maple Leafs’ locker room on game day, but you can do that in the IndyCar paddock. It really allows people to connect directly with the sport.”
Motorsports also offer an easy entry point for newcomers.
“You don’t really need to understand a complex rule system,” Atkinson explains. “You don’t need to know what icing is, a foul ball, a strike, or offside is. Someone crosses the line first and wins the race—it’s just really easy to follow.”
Festivalgoers don’t need a high-end grandstand ticket to take part in the festivities. On Friday, the Ontario Honda Dealers present Free Fan Friday, allowing attendees to enter the grounds in exchange for a voluntary donation to Make-A-Wish Canada.
Once inside the gates, a general admission ticket provides access to trackside viewing locations and 407 ETR Thunder Alley, a central hub packed with interactive sponsor displays, family games, merchandise shops, and a wide array of local food trucks.
The festivities also spill over into the surrounding community.
Slipping the excitement into first gear is the Turn 6 Fest at Markham Honda on Sunday, July 26 (from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 8220 Kennedy Road). This pre-race gathering gives residents an early taste of the high-octane atmosphere before race month arrives.
There’s also the Main Street Unionville Festival Zone, beginning Friday and running through Sunday on IndyCar weekend. Located just two kilometres north of the circuit, Main Street Unionville will feature extended outdoor patio dining, exotic car displays, racing simulators, and family activities throughout the weekend.
Moving the historic event from Toronto’s Exhibition Place to Markham brings major practical upgrades, particularly getting to and from the grounds. The new race venue features direct transit access via the adjacent Unionville GO Station, quick connections off Highway 404 and 407 ETR, and pre-purchasable parking options right in Markham Centre and Downtown Markham.
“Getting to and from a venue is a crucial piece of the enjoyment for our fans, and we want to make that as easy as possible,” Atkinson notes. “That was one of the key reasons why we set up in Markham.”
Event organizers view Markham not as a temporary substitute, but as a permanent home for decades to come.
“It’s been clear from Day 1 that this is not a one-year decision,” says Atkinson. “We were lucky to be in Toronto for close to 40 years, and we’re going to create that history starting in Markham with the inaugural race in 2026. It’s really about creating memories for these fans—especially local residents who now have this massive international event right in their backyard.”
Tickets for the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham, on August 14-16, are available at hondaindy.com.