What to expect as IndyCar gets underway in Markham

It’s about to get loud in Markham. The city is playing host to the NTT IndyCar Series — among other motorsports series — this weekend for the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy.

IndyCar has been racing in Toronto on and off since 1986, but this will be the first race held outside the city, and it will happen on a completely new track layout.

The 3.52-kilometre, 12-turn course will take place partially on the grounds of the Unionville GO station and will also see drivers race around the York University Markham Campus and the Markham Pan Am Centre.

Here’s a crash course on what you need to know:

Anyone attending the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy is encouraged to take GO Transit, use York Region Transit or drive to the event via Highway 407. Parking will be available to the west of the event grounds.

Metrolinx is expanding service on the Stouffville Line to help people get to and from the track.

Markham hosts the IndyCar race for the 1st time. Here's what to expect

They’re adding three additional trips from Union Station to Unionville GO on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings, as well as three new trips from Unionville to Union each of those afternoon and evenings. There will also be one additional trip from Burlington GO to Union Station on Saturday and Sunday morning for people connecting from Lakeshore West to the Stouffville Line.

More frequent York Region Transit service is being made available, and Markham is offering shuttle service between a pair of parking lots to the event grounds.

Markham residents have been dealing with the impacts of track construction for months. From limits on parking spaces at Unionville GO to repaved roads and putting up grandstands and retainer walls, area residents only have a few more days of