Edmonton Indy

Last updated
Edmonton Indy
Edmonton Indy Logo.png
IndyCar Series
Location Edmonton City Centre Airport, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
53°34′32″N113°31′22.5″W / 53.57556°N 113.522917°W / 53.57556; -113.522917
First race2005
First ICS race2008
Last race2012
Laps75
Previous namesWest Edmonton Mall Grand Prix (2005)
West Edmonton Mall Grand Prix Presented by The Brick (2006)
Rexall Grand Prix of Edmonton (2007)
Rexall Edmonton Indy (2008–2009)
Honda Indy Edmonton (2010)
Edmonton Indy (2011–2012)
Most wins (driver) Sébastien Bourdais (2)
Scott Dixon (2)
Will Power (2)
Most wins (team) Penske Racing (3)
Circuit information
SurfaceConcrete
Length3.579 km (2.224 mi)
Turns13

The Edmonton Indy was a round of the IndyCar Series held at a temporary circuit set up at the Edmonton City Centre Airport near the downtown area of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It was originally launched in 2005, as a race in the Champ Car World Series called the West Edmonton Mall Grand Prix, and was one of three Champ Car races added to the 2008 IndyCar Series following the merger of the two American open-wheel racing series.

Contents

History

The inaugural race was held in 2005 and was known as the West Edmonton Mall Grand Prix. It was known in 2006 as the West Edmonton Mall Grand Prix Presented by The Brick. In 2007, Katz Group, whose holdings includeRexall Drugs, signed with the Grand Prix of Edmonton as the lead sponsor, with that year's race known as the Rexall Grand Prix of Edmonton, becoming the Rexall Edmonton Indy following the merger of Champ Car and Indy Car as of the 2008 season. In 2010, Honda Canada Inc. was title sponsor of the Honda Indy Edmonton. [1] For 2011 and 2012, there was no title sponsor, with the race known simply as the Edmonton Indy.

During the 2010 race weekend, it was announced that Octane Motorsports Events from Montreal, promoter of the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix and the NASCAR Nationwide race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, was taking over as the new promoter. In November 2010, the City and the promoter not being able to reach an agreement concerning pavement work to be done on the Eastern runway of City Centre Airport, where the race course was to be moved, the 2011 event was initially cancelled. Further negotiations had the race reinstated on the 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series schedule, for July 22–24. On February 8, 2011, the promoter unveiled the new 13-turn, 3.579-kilometre (2.224 mi) racecourse. [2]

On September 21, 2012, Octane Motorsports announced that they would not stage the 2013 race due to poor attendance and lack of support from local businesses. City officials stated that they would not look for a replacement promoter, [3] [4] and the Edmonton Indy has not returned since.

Over the eight race history of the Canadian-based Edmonton Indy, there was only one podium finish by a Canadian driver, when Paul Tracy finished second in 2005; Tracy also led all Canadian drivers with six top-6 finishes over the history of the race.

Festivities

2005

Paul Tracy at the Edmonton Grand Prix 2006. Paul Tracy Edmonton Grand Prix 2006.jpg
Paul Tracy at the Edmonton Grand Prix 2006.

The 2005 race festivities took place from July 15 through July 17, 2005.

2006

In 2006, there were 3 support series events. The Champ Car Atlantic Championship series, the CASCAR series, and D-Sport Drifting Demo. The 2006 race festivities took place from July 21 through July 23, 2006. The CASCAR race event took place on Saturday, July 22, 2006. The Champ Car Atlantic Championship race, the Champ Car World Series race, and the D-Sport Drifting Demo all took place on Sunday, July 23, 2006.

2007

The 2007 race festivities took place from July 20 through July 22, 2007. The Northern Alberta Sports Car Club held GT and Vintage class support races also.

2008

The former track layout in relationship to the rest of the airport Edmonton City Airport map with the racing road course map overlaid.png
The former track layout in relationship to the rest of the airport

The 2008 race festivities took place July 24 through July 26, 2008. There were also 2 support series events, the Atlantic Championship series and the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. The IndyCar Series race took place on Saturday and not Sunday in 2008 because of an agreement between the IRL and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. By agreement, the IRL is not permitted to race opposite the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Allstate 400 at the Brickyard at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

2009

Held on July 26, 2009 it was the eleventh round of the 2009 IndyCar Series season.

2010

A new track from the 2011. Circuit Edmonton City Centre Airport 2011.svg
A new track from the 2011.

The race festivities took place from July 23 through July 25, 2010. There were three support series at this event, the Indy Lights Series, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series and the Northern Alberta Sports Car Championship. In addition, there were also a demonstration provided by D-Sport Drifting.

This year also saw the creation of an off the track event team called Race Week Edmonton. This all volunteer team's mandate was to assist in promoting the Honda Edmonton Indy with various events such as car shows, a go kit derby, autoslalom, and a large slate of music events.

2011

The race festivities took place from July 22 through July 24, 2011. However, steady rainfall saw the cancellation of all on-track events on July 22. This caused Indy Lights and IndyCar practice sessions to be moved to July 23. There were two support series at this event, the Indy Lights Series and the Northern Alberta Sports Car Championship. Unlike previous years, the Indy Lights Series ran two races with one on Saturday and one on Sunday, these were known as the Edmonton Twin 100s Race.

This event also saw the debut of a new course, moving from the western runways to the eastern runways of the City Centre Airport. This was caused by redevelopment of airport lands by the City of Edmonton. As well, Octane Motorsports took over the promoting of the race from Northlands declined to continue to run the race. This caused a temporary cancellation of the event in November, 2011. During this cancellation, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series released their schedule and saw Edmonton not scheduled for the 2011 season.

2012

The 2012 Edmonton Indy race was the eleventh round of the 2012 IndyCar Series season. Indy Lights and the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series also took place. It took place on Sunday, July 22, 2012. Hélio Castroneves won in the IndyCar Series, Carlos Muñoz won in the Indy Lights series, and D. J. Kennington won in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. [5]

The 2012 Edmonton Indy was the last in Edmonton. The city had spent over $12 million [6] [7] over the last three years and a total of $22 million over eight years. [7] Beginning in 2008 the non-profit organization Northlands ran the Indy for three years, losing $12.5 million. [6] There was also drop in attendance for the event over the last few years; the INDYCAR company forbids releasing attendances numbers. [5] [6] This also played a part in the decision to cancel.

Past winners

SeasonDateDriverTeamChassisEngineRace DistanceRace TimeAverage Speed
(mph)		ReportRef
LapsMiles (km)
Champ Car World Series history
2005 July 17 Flag of France.svg Sébastien Bourdais Newman/Haas Racing Lola Ford-Cosworth 88173.624 (279.42)1:38:55105.302 Report [8]
2006 July 23 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Justin Wilson RuSPORT Lola Ford-Cosworth 85167.705 (269.895)1:40:30100.112 Report [9]
2007 July 22 Flag of France.svg Sébastien Bourdais Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing Panoz Cosworth 96189.408 (304.822)1:45:41107.517 Report [10]
IndyCar Series history
2008 July 26 Flag of New Zealand.svg Scott Dixon Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara Honda 91*179.543 (288.946)1:51:0696.967 Report [11]
2009 July 26 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Will Power Penske Racing Dallara Honda 95187.435 (301.647)1:42:42109.498 Report [12]
2010 July 25 Flag of New Zealand.svg Scott Dixon Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara Honda 95187.435 (301.647)1:50:37101.666 Report [13]
2011 July 24 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Will Power Penske Racing Dallara Honda 80180.48 (290.454)1:57:2390.949 Report [14]
2012 July 22 Flag of Brazil.svg Hélio Castroneves Penske Racing Dallara Chevrolet 75169.2 (272.301)1:38:51101.246 Report [15]

Atlantic Championship

SeasonDateWinning Driver
2005 July 17 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Katherine Legge
2006 July 23 Flag of France.svg Simon Pagenaud
2007 July 21 Flag of Brazil.svg Raphael Matos
July 22 Flag of Brazil.svg Raphael Matos
2008 July 25 Flag of the United States.svg Jonathan Bomarito
July 26 Flag of the United States.svg Jonathan Summerton

Firestone Indy Lights

SeasonDateWinning Driver
2009 July 25 Flag of the United States.svg J. R. Hildebrand
2010 July 25 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg James Hinchcliffe
2011 July 23 Flag of Argentina.svg Esteban Guerrieri
July 24 Flag of the United States.svg Josef Newgarden
2012 July 21 Flag of Colombia.svg Carlos Muñoz

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series

SeasonDateWinning Driver
2007July 21 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg J. R. Fitzpatrick
2008July 26 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Alex Tagliani
2009July 25 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Andrew Ranger
2010July 25 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg J. R. Fitzpatrick
2012July 22 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg D. J. Kennington

Lap Records

The fastest official race lap records at Edmonton Indy are listed as:

CategoryTimeDriverVehicleDate
Grand Prix Circuit: 3.579 km (2011–2012)
IndyCar 1:17.3629 [17] Josef Newgarden Dallara DW12 2012 Edmonton Indy
Indy Lights 1:23.0712 [18] Esteban Guerrieri Dallara IPS 2011 Edmonton 100
Original Circuit: 3.175 km (2005–2010)
Champ Car 58.653 [17] Sebastien Bourdais Lola B02/00 2007 Rexall Grand Prix of Edmonton
IndyCar 1:02.0233 [19] Will Power Dallara IR-05 2008 Rexall Edmonton Indy
Indy Lights 1:06.8782 [20] James Hinchcliffe Dallara IPS 2010 Edmonton 100
Trans-Am 1:17.361 [21] Tomy Drissi Jaguar XKR 2005 Edmonton Trans-Am round

Attendance

In its inaugural year (2005), Edmonton set the attendance record for a Champ Car event in Canada at 200,052. [22]

YearRace Day3-Day Total
200578,080200,052
200663,921171,391
200760,508167,152
200860,000*160,000*

* Estimate [23]

From 2008 onwards, event organizers have refused to disclose attendance figures due to an agreement with the Indy Racing League. [22] [24] [25]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Tracy</span> Canadian racing driver

Paul Anthony Tracy is a Canadian-American professional auto racing driver who competed in Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART), the Champ Car World Series and the IndyCar Series. He began kart racing at the age of five and achieved early success before progressing to car racing at the age of 16 when he entered the Formula Ford 1600 Championship and finished in the 1985 championship third with one victory and Rookie of the Year honors. Tracy became the youngest Canadian Formula Ford champion in the 1985 CASC Formula 1600 Challenge Series and was the youngest Can-Am race winner the following year. He raced in the American Racing Series for three years between 1988 and 1990, becoming the series champion with nine wins from fourteen races in 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Takuma Sato</span> Japanese racing driver (born 1977)

Takuma Sato, nicknamed "Taku", is a Japanese professional racing driver. He competes part-time in the IndyCar Series, driving the No. 11 Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing. Sato is a two-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, having won the event in 2017 and 2020. He was the first Asian driver to win the Indianapolis 500, and the twentieth driver to win the race more than once. Before winning the Indianapolis 500, Sato became the first Japanese-born driver to win an IndyCar Series race when he won the 2013 Grand Prix of Long Beach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jimmy Vasser</span> American racecar driver and team owner

James Vasser Jr. is an American former racing driver. Vasser won the 1996 CART IndyCar championship with Chip Ganassi Racing, and scored ten victories in the series. Vasser was the last American to win the CART championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gold Coast Indy 300</span>

The Gold Coast Indy 300 was an annual open-wheel motor race event that took place at the Surfers Paradise Street Circuit on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia from 1991 to 2008. The challenging 4.47-kilometre (2.78 mi) track, alongside a strip of beaches, had several fast sections and four chicanes. The event had various names during its history for sponsorship reasons; in its final year, it was known as the Nikon Indy 300.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mario Domínguez</span> Mexican racing driver

Mario Domínguez is a Mexican racing driver. He has competed in the CART and CCWS Champ Car series and later the IndyCar Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oriol Servià</span> Spanish racing driver

Oriol Servià i Imbers is a Spanish racing driver who competes part-time in the IndyCar Series. He raced for Dragon Racing in the 2014–15 Formula E season, and left the series prior to the 2015 Miami ePrix to become managing director for the technical and commercial partnerships of Dragon Racing. Servià holds a degree in mechanical engineering from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia. Since 2018 he also serves as pace car driver at IndyCar races outside the Indianapolis 500.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Tagliani</span> Canadian racecar driver

Alexandre Tagliani, nicknamed "Tag", is a Canadian professional racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Pinty’s Series, driving the No. 18 Chevrolet Camaro for 22 Racing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew Ranger</span> Canadian racing driver

Andrew Ranger is a Canadian professional racing driver who competes full-time in the NASCAR Canada Series, driving the No. 27 for Paillé Course//Racing. Ranger is a veteran of the Pinty's Series, having claimed 28 wins in 133 races. He was champion in 2007, 2009 and 2019, runner-up in 2016 and 2021, third in 2012 and 2015, and fourth in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Power</span> Australian racecar driver (born 1981)

William Steven Power is an Australian racing driver who competes in the IndyCar Series, driving the No. 12 Dallara-Chevrolet for Team Penske. He is the 2018 Indianapolis 500 winner and has won the IndyCar Championship twice, in 2014 and 2022. Power is fifth all-time in wins (41) and first all-time in poles (70) in Indy car racing history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grand Prix of Toronto</span> Annual car race in Canada

The Honda Indy Toronto is an annual Indy Car race, held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Originally known as the Molson Indy Toronto, it was part of the Champ Car World Series from 1986 to 2007. After a one-year hiatus, it has been part of the NTT IndyCar Series schedule since 2009. The race takes place on a 2.874 km (1.786 mi), 11 turn, temporary street circuit through Exhibition Place and on Lake Shore Boulevard. Toronto is classified as an FIA Grade Two circuit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Molson Indy Montreal</span>

The Molson Indy Montreal was an annual auto race in Montreal, Quebec on the Champ Car World Series calendar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Graham Rahal</span> American racecar driver

Graham Robert Rahal is an American race car driver and small business owner. He currently races in the IndyCar Series with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, a team partially owned by his father Bobby Rahal, the winner of the 1986 Indianapolis 500.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freedom 100</span> Automobile race

The Freedom 100 was an automobile race held annually at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana, as part of the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires. The event was a support race for the IndyCar Series Indianapolis 500, and since 2005, it was held on the Friday preceding the Indianapolis 500, the day known as "Carb Day".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simon Pagenaud</span> French racing driver

Simon Pierre Michel Pagenaud is a French professional racing driver, who last drove the No. 60 Honda for Meyer Shank Racing in the NTT IndyCar Series. After a successful career in sports car racing that saw him taking the top class championship title in the 2010 American Le Mans Series, he moved to the Indycar Series where he became the 2016 IndyCar champion and the 2019 Indianapolis 500 winner, becoming the first French driver to win the Indianapolis 500 since Gaston Chevrolet in 1920 and the first polesitter to have won the race since Helio Castroneves in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlie Kimball</span> American racing driver

Charles Newton Kimball is an American former race car driver who most recently competed in the IndyCar Series with A. J. Foyt Enterprises. He has scored a win, six podiums, and 13 top 5s during his IndyCar career. His best season results were ninth in 2013 and 2016. In addition, he won the 2013 24 Hours of Daytona.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IndyCar races in Las Vegas</span> IndyCar Series race

The IZOD IndyCar World Championship Presented by Honda was an IndyCar Series race on the 1.5-mile (2.4 km) Las Vegas Motor Speedway, held from 1996 to 2000, and again in 2011. It was first known as the Las Vegas 500k. The Champ Car World Series held a race at the track during the 2004 and 2005 seasons as doubleheaders with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and a street race was held in Las Vegas at the Fremont Street Experience in 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 IndyCar Series</span> 14th season of the IndyCar Series

The 2009 IndyCar Series was the 14th season of the IndyCar Series. The 17-race season began on April 5, and its premier event, the 93rd Indianapolis 500 was held May 24. All races were broadcast on ABC or Versus in high-definition. It represented the 98th recognized season of top-level American open wheel racing.

The 2008 Champ Car World Series season would have been the 5th season of the Champ Car World Series and 30th season of the series dating back to the 1979 formation of Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART). It was scheduled to begin on April 20, 2008, and end on November 9. The season was canceled on February 21, 2008, because of the buyout of Champ Car by the rival IndyCar Series, resulting in the reunification of American open-wheel racing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indy Grand Prix of Alabama</span> IndyCar Series race held in Alabama, U.S.A.

The Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama is an IndyCar Series race held at Barber Motorsports Park, a 17-turn 2.38-mile (3.83 km) road course, in Birmingham, Alabama, United States. Officially announced on July 27, 2009, the inaugural event was on the weekend of April 9–11, 2010. The event is under the management of the local group Zoom Motorsports. The venue is designed to allow for nearly 100,000 spectators and will have an estimated economic impact on Greater Birmingham of $30 million.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Felix Rosenqvist</span> Swedish professional racing driver

Felix Rosenqvist is a Swedish professional racing driver who currently drives the No. 6 Honda for Arrow-Mclaren in the NTT IndyCar Series. He was named Rookie of the Year for the IndyCar Series in 2019.

References

  1. ↑ "Honda named as title sponsor of Edmonton Indy". ctvedmonton.ca. 2010-03-25. Retrieved 2010-03-25.
  2. ↑ Lewandowski, Dave (8 February 2011). "Edmonton Indy launches on new course". IndyCar.com. Archived from the original on 13 April 2011. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
  3. ↑ "Edmonton Indy race crashes and burns, says city". Edmonton Sun. Sun Media. September 21, 2012. Retrieved September 21, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Edmonton IndyCar race folds". The Globe and Mail. Associated Press. September 21, 2012. Retrieved September 21, 2012.
  5. 1 2 "Race Review". IndyCar. INDYCAR. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 "Edmonton Indy cancelled". The Globe and Mail. The Globe and Mail Inc. 23 August 2012. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  7. 1 2 Klinkenberg, Marty; Klingbeil, Cailynn (20 September 2012). "End of the line for Edmonton Indy". Edmonton Journal . Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  8. ↑ "2005 West Edmonton Mall Grand Prix of Edmonton". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  9. ↑ "2006 West Edmonton Mall Grand Prix". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  10. ↑ "2007 Rexall Grand Prix of Edmonton". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  11. ↑ "2008 Rexall Edmonton Indy". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  12. ↑ "2009 Rexall Edmonton Indy". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  13. ↑ "2010 Honda Indy Edmonton". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  14. ↑ "2011 Edmonton Indy". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  15. ↑ "2012 Edmonton Indy". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  16. ↑ Harris, Mike (July 27, 2008). "Scott Dixon drives to fifth IndyCar victory". Barre Montpelier Times Argus . Associated Press . Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  17. 1 2 "Edmonton" . Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  18. ↑ "2011 Edmonton Indy Lights" . Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  19. ↑ "2008 Edmonton Indycars" . Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  20. ↑ "2010 Edmonton Indy Lights" . Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  21. ↑ "Edmonton:Race notes" . Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  22. 1 2 Jones, Terry (2009-07-19). "IndyCar Review". Edmonton Sun. Retrieved 2010-07-26.
  23. ↑ Martin, Bruce (July 28, 2008). "Little ado about something". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  24. ↑ "Promoter: Edmonton Indy returning". The Canadian Press. Sportsnet.ca. January 11, 2011. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  25. ↑ Collum, Robert (July 28, 2008). "Capital Ex attendance confidential". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on September 8, 2012. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.