Markham retirement home residents get front-row view of Honda Indy

By Liam Tremblay — 14 August 2026 — 4 min read

Honda Indy moves to Markham

The Honda Indy is taking place this weekend in a new location, moving from Toronto’s lakeshore to Markham. This marks the first time in 40 years that the event has been relocated from the Exhibition Place. The new street circuit has been established around the Markham Pan Am Centre and York University Markham campus, presenting a fresh challenge for drivers and a new experience for fans.

The relocation brings the racing event, with its exhaust fumes and engine noise, directly to the vicinity of local residences, including the Amica Unionville retirement home. This facility is situated directly on the new track, offering its residents a unique vantage point for the festivities.

Residents embrace the race experience

Residents of Amica Unionville are preparing for the race weekend, with some embracing the event enthusiastically. Rose Chen, 77, who once attended the race with her husband 30 years ago, recently took a bus tour of the track. Despite using a wheelchair due to ALS, Chen actively participates in activities and plans to watch the race from the fifth-floor patio of her retirement home, which also offers views from her third-floor corner suite.

Bert Jiang, 89, a retired radiologist, has been researching the race and plans to watch from his ninth-floor corner apartment, which overlooks a significant portion of the main straightaway. He anticipates seeing cars speed by 90 times during the race. Sujata Ambike, who describes herself as “80-plus,” also intends to watch, acknowledging the anticipated noise but stating she can handle it.

For those concerned about noise, complimentary earplugs are available from the concierge. Watch parties are organized for the fifth- and eighth-floor patios of the retirement home. Ahead of the race, 15 seniors from Amica Unionville had the opportunity to complete a lap around the 3.52-kilometre track.

Don Attridge, a retired high school math teacher who will turn 91 on Sunday, plans to watch the race from the fifth-floor patio with his family, who will then take him to dinner. However, not all residents are eager for the noise. Olinda Colaco, who moved to Amica a year ago, decided to avoid race day due to the expected noise levels.

Race weekend details and community impact

The race weekend commences with Free Fan Friday on August 14, where fans can gain access to the grounds with a voluntary donation to Make-A-Wish Canada. This day will feature practice and qualifying sessions for various racing series, along with an autograph session with Indycar drivers at 12:30 p.m. at the Pan Am Centre.

Saturday includes qualifying for the main race from 2:25 p.m. to 4 p.m., which determines the starting order for Sunday. Following qualifying, NASCAR’s Canada Series will take to the track, concluding with a concert by The Glorious Sons. Race day on Sunday begins with driver introductions at 11:30 a.m., and the green flag is scheduled to fly at 12:22 p.m. The race will consist of 90 laps.

Event organizers are advising attendees to use the GO train, as Unionville GO Station is conveniently located near the track. Metrolinx has increased service on the Stouffville Line, adding three additional trains from Union Station to Unionville GO in the morning on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with return trips in the afternoon and early evening.

Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti was instrumental in bringing the race to the city. He noted that the Indy race was seeking a new home, and the city of Markham required a long-term commitment in exchange for investment in infrastructure. Indycar executives have reportedly indicated intentions to stay in Markham for an extended period, following an initial agreement for five years.

The mayor estimates the event will generate $50 million in economic activity, benefiting municipalities across York Region. This includes restaurants in areas like Scarborough and North York, as Markham itself has limited hotel capacity. Kyffin Simpson, a driver in his third season, has been preparing for the new track using a racing simulator, describing it as potentially tricky and technical, which might lead to strategic gambles during the race.

The Honda Indy will feature cars reaching speeds approaching 380 km/h on Sunday.

Source: thestar.com