Honda Indy Toronto returns to traditional July dates

For the 30th time since its innaugural event in 1986, professional INDYCAR racing returns to Exhibition Place for the 2016 Honda Indy Toronto, Ontario's largest annual sporting event. The three-day festival returns to its traditional July dates, July 15-17, after switching to June last year to accommodate the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games.

"Honda Indy Toronto has been a summer staple for generations of Torontonians and festivalgoers from across Ontario and beyond," said Jeff Atkinson, newly-appointed President of Honda Indy Toronto. "We’re working hard on growing the festival programming to create an event that is fun, exciting for all ages, and that builds on its legacy and connects with the history of the race."

The Verizon IndyCar Series headlines the event weekend, featuring some of racing's best drivers including Oakville's James Hinchcliffe, Graham Rahal, Marco Andretti and 2015 Series Champion Scott Dixon, among others.

"This obviously is such a special weekend for me, I remember coming to this race as a kid and really falling in love with INDYCAR while I stood at the fence watching the cars," said James Hinchcliffe, Verizon IndyCar Series driver of the No. 5 Arrow Electronics car for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports. "Now, to be able to come back on the other side of that fence and race in my hometown is awesome. The track, the city, the fans, everything about this weekend makes it the best stop on the calendar. I'm glad we got the old date back because now it really is like Christmas in July again."

Young drivers looking to reach the Verizon IndyCar Series will also be showcased during the Honda Indy Toronto as the entire Mazda Road to Indy ladder series will return, which includes Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires, the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires and the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda.

Tickets to the 2016 Honda Indy Toronto will go on sale later this fall. Additional support series races and off-track entertainment will be announced in the coming months.