Ontario Honda Dealers to Treat Fans to Free Racing Event; Will Raise Funds for Make-A-Wish Canada
TORONTO, Ontario — The Ontario Honda Dealers Association will sponsor a "Free Friday" next month at the 2010 Honda Indy Toronto at Exhibition Place that will give IndyCar racing fans the chance to see open-wheel racing for free while also taking up donations for Make-A-Wish Canada.
The Friday session is part of many racing events and other activities during the Honda Indy Toronto weekend, which will be held July 16 through July 18.
"We are very pleased to make this opportunity available to everyone in Ontario and beyond," stated Jim Proskos, owner of Cobourg Honda, who spoke on behalf of the association. "For anyone who has never seen open wheel racing up close and personal, we encourage them to take advantage of this no-cost opportunity to see some of the world's top race drivers tackling the streets of Toronto.
"We will be asking fans to donate their spare change when they enter the gates to help make the wishes come true for our Canadian children who are faced with life-threatening medical conditions," Proskos added.
The Free Friday event will be held on July 16. Cash donations will be collected at the gate to support the charitable organization.
Make-A-Wish Canada also happens to be Canadian racer Paul Tracy's charity sponsor. Tracy drives the No. 15 Make-A-Wish Canada/KV Racing Technology/Honda/Dallara/Firestone car.
Because the only reserved seats for Free Friday are the designated corporate seats, fans can sit anywhere they would like to, including the Gold and Silver sections. Seating is first-come, first-served.
The overall weekend will include racing from IZOD IndyCar Series, Firestone Indy Lights Series, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, Acura Sports Car Challenge, Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship and the SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am Series.
Additionally, the weekend includes the Auto Expo, Budweiser Beer Gardens, and autograph sessions with drivers and celebrities. Also featured will be a Pizza Pizza Family Zone, the race paddock, interactive games and exhibits, live music, stunt teams, "Thunder Alley," as well as various displays and merchandise.
Moreover, Honda Canada will showcase Honda World again in the Direct Energy Centre. This will include racing simulators and vehicles — like the all-new Honda CR-Z two-seat sports hybrid to be released in Canada this summer — on display.