IndyCar Event News - Ontario Honda Dealers Offer Free Admission

TORONTO, May 10, 2011: To help racing fans and those new to the sport enjoy the speed, sound and excitement of IndyCar racing, the Ontario Honda Dealers Association (OHDA) will underwrite the cost of admission for everyone to the opening day of racing at the 2011 Honda Indy Toronto, Friday, July 8 . This is the second year that OHDA has offered this promotion, which includes an important fundraising component to benefit Make-A-Wish® Canada.

Visitors who attend the Honda Indy Toronto on Free Friday are asked to give a donation to Make-A-Wish® Canada volunteers upon entering in lieu of admission, which Honda Canada will match dollar-for-dollar. Last year, more than $112,000 was raised over the two-weeks of IndyCar racing in Canada (Toronto and Edmonton) to help make wishes come true for Canadian children living with life-threatening medical conditions.

"Free Friday was a great success last year and we’re grateful to Honda and the Ontario Honda Dealers Association for doing it again as we celebrate 25 years of racing on the streets of Toronto this summer," said Charlie Johnstone, vice president and general manager of the Honda Indy Toronto. "Having free access to an event of this stature is truly a fantastic opportunity and wouldn't be possible without such outstanding corporate partners.”

“We’re excited to provide fans, especially those new to the sport, with a chance to witness first-hand just how exciting IndyCar racing is,” said Brian Tafler, president of the OHDA. “We hope that fans will be generous at the gate to ensure that heroic children who live with challenging medical conditions can live their own memorable experiences through our partnership with Make A Wish Canada.”

There will be no reserved seats on Friday (except for designated corporate suites), so fans can select any seats on a first-come/first-served basis, even in the Gold and Silver sections around the track.

Festival-goers will have the opportunity to experience an exciting and diverse race schedule throughout race weekend, which includes the IZOD IndyCar Series, Firestone Indy Lights, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship and, for the first time, the Ferrari Challenge.

The Honda Indy Toronto, scheduled for July 8-10, 2011, marks the 9th race of the 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series season. Tickets for the Honda Indy Toronto are available at www.HondaIndyToronto.com/tickets. Ticket information is also available by calling 877.503.6869.