Indy in Toronto A look at whats coming up in our neighborhood

It's a dangerous mix of asphalt and concrete surfaces, melded together in bumpy, truncated, random ways that Toronto motorists know all too well. It's a series of tight turns where cars will make dangerous passes. It's driving on Lake Shore Blvd. in downtown Toronto, and starting Friday, some of the world's greatest drivers are going to give it a try as the Honda Indy Toronto returns to Exhibition Place.

"That's where most of the action is going to happen," said Australian driver Ryan Briscoe of Team Penske, pointing to Turn 3, where the Lake Shore intersects Ontario Dr. "It's good, a great part of the track.

"It's a long enough straightaway that you can get a pretty good slipstream as well."

Then, sounding almost like a haggard motorist moaning about rush hour on the 401, Briscoe talks about the strategy of passing and defending at that turn.

"Everyone goes to the right side of the track. It's not blocking, but kind of defending your line," said Briscoe. "You have to open up going into the brake zone (the turn), so you have to do some late braking to let the pass happen."

Crazy drivers on Toronto streets. Go figure.390wheels.ca

Regardless, the IndyCar drivers have all descended upon Toronto, a city they say is one of their favourites, for an event they know is desperately trying to regain the glamour status it once held.

Admission for Friday's practice, for example, is free. Organizers are asking for a donation to the Make-A -Wish Foundation, but the idea is to remind Torontonians of the fun they once had at the Indy, and to draw new fans to the sport.

"Anything we can do to get the fans here is great," said Briscoe. "It's about letting people know that we're here and we're racing. When they're here and see what it's all about, they'll fall in love with it."

Briscoe, who finished second here last year, even related a personal story of how far the race has fallen in the city's consciousness.

"Last year, at the hotel, the Four Seasons, I asked for directions to the track and they didn't even know what I was talking about. I was like, ‘The IndyCar race.' And they were like, "What's that?'

"Inviting people for free and promoting it more, that's what we need to do."

The IndyCar drivers will practise twice Friday, for an hour each time, at 9:55 a.m. and 1:50 p.m. Canadian Touring Cars kick things off with a practice at 7:45. All five series participating this weekend will be on the track at some point Friday, including Trans-Am, Indy Lights and the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.

The IndyCar drivers see Toronto as a pivotal event, the 11th race of an 18-event series. It's a chance for drivers in the hunt for the series championship to make some noise, and for others in the back of the pack to turn their seasons around.

Scotland's Dario Franchitti of the Target Chip Ganassi team won the event last year, but Australia's Will Power of Verizon Team Penske, who finished third last year, is dominating the series. Briscoe, who's sitting fourth, wants to catch his Penske teammate.

"We're at an important point in the season," said Briscoe. "Will Power has got a bit of a lead and he's probably the favourite on these street circuits. He's the guy we've got to beat to stay in contention."

Brazil's Raphael Matos, last season's rookie of the year, is well back in 12th place in the drivers' standings. But he believes changes made to his de Ferran Dragon Racing team car will put him in contention the rest of the way.

"We've felt a big improvement in the last couple of weeks," said Matos. "My car has improved a lot. I felt we're getting closer to get a podium. If we can position ourselves in the top five regularly, it will be much easier to get a podium and maybe a victory."

There's a fair bit of Canadian talent in the main race. Alex Tagliani of Lachanaie, Que., and Scarborough's Paul Tracy will both take part. Both have a bit of an advantage in having raced a fair deal at the Toronto site, which hasn't changed that much since the race's inception in 1986.

But it doesn't take much for a driver to get used to the twists and turns of the 11-turn temporary street circuit, said Briscoe.

"Last year, Franchitti was very fast. He had the pole. He was lucky in the pits. Yellow came out and he got away with when the yellow fell," said Briscoe. "I came second and Will (Power) came third and we both made first-lap pit stops. I had a flat tire and ended up on the podium. You just never know.

"You've got to approach it like you want to qualify as far in the front as you can. It always helps in a street course. Just try to stay clean. It's a track where there's attrition. Accidents often happen and if you can come through clean, it's going to help your chances."

Besides, Briscoe already knows what it's like to drive the clogged streets of Toronto.

So lets all have fun with this and thank you from 390wheels.ca