In what could have been a great opening day for IndyCar on the streets of Markham, Ontario turned into bitter disappointment for the huge throng of fans in the grandstands and for IndyCar President Doug Boles.
Instead of racing action, the only wheels turned on the 2.19-mile, 12-turn road course was construction machinery still trying to complete the track build. Without enough key tire packs in place to make for a safe impact area, IndyCar officials cancelled all track activity on Friday and issued a revised schedule for Saturday.
That left Boles furious that the track was not ready in time by the promoter of this weekend’s event, and a key, longtime IndyCar ally, Green Savoree Promotions.
“IndyCar is incredibly disappointed that our promoter was not able to complete the track build on time, despite significant support from our team on site,” Boles said. “Ontario has always been a magnificent market for our sport and the number of spectators that attended today is a shining example of that. New events can always pose logistical challenges and we join in the frustration of our loyal fans and apologize.
“Once we hit the track, we believe the circuit will be spectacular. We would like to thank the city of Markham for the major support it has made to provide IndyCar a layout, which is fast, technical and will put on a terrific show on Sunday.”
Bitter Disappointment For IndyCar And Fans At Markham On Friday
There was a lot of excitement heading into the NTT IndyCar race at a new venue Friday on the streets of Markham, Ontario. The fans arrived early and filled the impressive grandstands, excited to witness IndyCar action in the buildup to Sunday’s Ontario Honda Dealers Indy At Markham.
But the track wasn’t ready and had some serious safety issues, including the lack of tire packs that are used as key safety barriers on street courses. They are needed for runoff areas and a few other places on track. The promoter had a plan in place to address that issue in time for Saturday morning’s activity, according to IndyCar.
Other issues included a delay in the track build that included completing a full race track wall and fencing and significant safety concerns with areas of the wall and runoff.
Also, a lack of personnel to complete the tire and fence/wall construction.
The track build for the 2.19-mile, 12-turn street course race in Markham, Ontario began on July 19. The course is on the site of a GO Train station, which is still in use but the parking lots are the location of the double pit lane being used by INDYCAR. The parking lots closest to the pit lane were fully turned over to race promoters Green Savoree Promotions at end of day on Wednesday, August 12.
IndyCar continues to monitor the ongoing circuit construction by Green Savoree Racing Promotions.
IndyCar At Markham Updated Schedule
IndyCar’s Saturday schedule includes Practice 1 from 10-11:30 a.m. Eastern Time, televised on FS2, IndyCar Practice 2 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. on FS1 and Qualifying from 6:30 to 7 p.m. ET on FOX One, and 7-8 p.m. on FS2.
Because of time constraints in the early evening, IndyCar Series qualifying on Saturday will be in its traditional “road course” knockout qualifying format that will culminate with the “Firestone Fast Six” and the battle for the NTT P1 Award.
By then, IndyCar hopes the fans return and the rest of the race weekend improves from Friday’s long day of disappointment.