Honda Indy offers free admission on Fan Friday

For the fourth straight year, the Honda Indy Toronto will be free for fans to enjoy on Friday, July 12, 2013. Rather than pay admission to Fan Friday and to take part in various onsite games and activities, attendees are encouraged to donate to Make-A-Wish.  All contributions will once again be matched dollar-for-dollar by Honda Canada.

In exchange for a donation to Make-A-Wish Canada, Fan Friday promises a full day of family-oriented activities, stunt shows, autograph sessions and gourmet food trucks, as well as the IZOD IndyCar Series qualifying for Saturday’s race.

“Our ongoing partnership with Make-A-Wish for Fan Friday is a big part of the Honda Indy Toronto,” said Kevin Pearson, president of the Ontario Honda Dealers Association. “This is all about putting fans in the middle of the action in support of a great cause. We hope fans give generously to help make wishes come true for children with life-threatening medical conditions across the country.”

Fan Friday gets bigger and better every year with track-side fun and games for the whole family including Toronto Blue Jays batting cages, face painting, racing simulators and an all-new Honda Pit Stop Challenge. With no reserved seating on Fan Friday, attendees will have access to all grandstand sections on a first-come/first-served basis.

“Honda was founded on a belief in the power of dreams, so we are very supportive of this initiative by our Ontario Honda Dealers,” said Dave Gardner, vice president of sales and marketing, Honda Canada. “We’re happy to help make the dreams of Canadian children facing life-threatening illnesses come true by matching funds raised for Make-A-Wish.”

Continued for 2013 is the option to text the word ‘DREAM’ to 41010 from any mobile phone to make a $5 donation. The support from organizations like Honda Canada, the OHDA and the general public gives Make-A-Wish the ability to grant 500 wishes every year from coast to coast.

“We’re excited to be a part of the Honda Indy Toronto again this year thanks to the OHDA and Honda Canada,” said Jennifer Klotz-Ritter, CEO, Make-A-Wish Canada. “The support provided to our magical mission through Fan Friday and the weekend of activities at the Honda Indy Toronto helps bring hope, strength and joy to our courageous wish children and their families,”

The Honda Indy Toronto runs from July 12 to 14 and for the first time will feature two IndyCar races in one weekend on Saturday and Sunday. Billed “2 In T.O”, the streets of Toronto were selected as the second of three back-to-back race weekends on the 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series schedule.

“The Honda Indy Toronto is one of the premier racing events in North America and it wouldn’t be the same without Fan Friday and Make-A-Wish,” said Charlie Johnstone, president of the Honda Indy Toronto.

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