Honda Indy weekend

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Honda Indy festivities are kicking off in Toronto today — a month earlier than usual.

While Fan Friday allows free entry to the race grounds, visitors are being asked to bring a donation for Make a Wish Canada, which Honda Indy will match.

For the last two years, there has been an indy car race on both Saturday and Sunday, but this year there will only be one race on Sunday.

Oakville’s James Hinchcliffe, who was brutally injured in a crash while on a practice run at the Indy 500 will be the race’s grand marshal.

The Indy’s arrival means navigating the streets of Toronto will be more difficult than usual this weekend.

A section of Lake Shore Boulevard West will remain closed from Strachan to British Columbia drive, along with the southbound lanes of Strachan from Fleet Street to Lake Shore until 11 pm Sunday.

GO Transit and the TTC are both increasing service to Exhibition Place for the weekend. The city is encouraging people to avoid driving, and to take public transit, instead.

The Honda Indy was moved to June this year to avoid conflicting with next month’s Pan Am Games.