SPECTATOR SEATING GUIDE: Honda Indy Toronto

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TURN 3: GENERAL ADMISSION VIEWING

2014 pricing:
Two-day (Saturday and Sunday): $50
Single-day: $35

I happened upon this while making the long trip down to turn 3, and I could hardly believe my eyes — a beautiful, shaded spot with picnic tables and a view of the cars entering the braking zone on the backstretch! It’s a fair hike from just about everything (just like the turn 3 stand is), but once you get here well-stocked with all of your supplies there’s really no reason to leave. This could make a lower-cost family outing very easy. Come early to have your pick of spots, bring a crowd so people can come and go, and enjoy a casual day of racing. Life doesn’t get much better. Only one caveat: there’s no TV nearby, so following along may be somewhat challenging.

The general admission seating area beside the turn 3 grandstand at the Honda Indy Toronto.

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TURN 3 GRANDSTAND

RESERVED SEATING ONLY
2014 pricing:
Two-day: Rows 19-25 $175, Rows 1-18 $125
Single-day: Rows 1-18 $85

Believe me when I tell you that spending a race weekend watching from this stand should be on every race fan’s bucket list. You can learn so much in such a short time by observing the approach into and through the corner that every driver in every series makes here over the course of the weekend, and it’s always where the most action happens.

This year, the stand is taller (like the others). That’s good in that it gives more people the opportunity to view the race from this prime location, but it’s bad because the vantage points have been hurt a little by needing to accommodate a larger footprint. None of the seats except the very edge of section A can see much past the apex of the corner now, and the top row seats don’t offer quite as much of a wraparound view as they used to. But don’t let that deter you. This is still a superior place to watch a race.

You’ll have a TV across the track from you, but this grandstand is a lone point at the very far end of the track from everything else, so stock up on supplies and plan to stay down there as much as possible. Section is probably immaterial, though I slightly preferred B. Higher rows aren’t critical in my opinion.

The view from the top of section A in the turn 3 grandstand at the Honda Indy Toronto.

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TURN 10 GRANDSTAND

RESERVED SEATING ONLY
2014 pricing:
Two-day: $80
Single-day: $60

This is the perfect spot for the race fan on a budget but still looking for a reserved seat. It offers a great view of the very technical 9-10-11 complex as well as pit in. There’s a TV, some limited food options nearby, and the Direct Energy Centre is about a minute away to broaden those options and provide access to decent washrooms and air conditioning when needed. It’s also on the outside of the track very close to where the GO trains let out, so it’s a workable option for those with mobility difficulties.

Side to side seat selection won’t make an appreciable difference here. Row pricing isn’t separated in this stand, but aim for the highest row you can manage for the best experience.

The view of turns 9 and 10 and pit in from the turn 10 grandstand at the Honda Indy Toronto. The entry to turn 11 is also visible to the left.

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TURN 11: DR PEPPER GRANDSTAND

RESERVED SEATING ONLY
2014 pricing:
Two-day: $80
Single-day: $60

Please don’t sit here. This grandstand has very few redeeming qualities. All you can see is turn 11, which is mostly just a kink, and some of the entry to pit lane. There’s no reason to sit here and pay the same price as for the far superior view from turn 10, unless…

You happen to be an enormous Dr Pepper fan. Dr Pepper has been an awesome partner of the Honda Indy Toronto for a number of years, and one of the perks they offer is bottomless Dr Pepper to fans in this grandstand. If you don’t mind the restricted view and you think you can drink your ticket price’s worth of Dr Pepper in a weekend, then go to town. (You’ll also have a TV, quick access to the Direct Energy Centre, and a walk free of pedestrian bridges.)

The view from the turn 11 Dr Pepper grandstand at the Honda Indy Toronto.

THE VERDICT

Best “if I had all the money in the world and every ticket was available” option: Turn 3, turn 3, turn 3. I’ve been preaching it for years. There is no place else to catch all the best action at this race. If I had all the money in the world, I would buy out the guy with the top west corner seats at any asking price. If the entire grandstand was sold out and no one would take my bribes, I’d probably pick section C or D in the start/finish stand.

Best “I need a reserved seat and have a bit of money” option: The turn 10 grandstand offers great value for not a whole lot of investment, relatively speaking. I’ve happily sat there many times in the past and greatly enjoyed it.

Best “I’m on a serious budget” option: If I was with a group of less serious race fans and I could arrive early, I would have no qualms at all about heading for the picnic tables next to the turn 3 grandstand and camping out there for the day.

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