Meet the people who make it all happen
These hard workers dedicate their time and effort to get the wheels on the ground
It takes an enormous amount of planning, organization and manpower to make the Honda Indy Toronto happen each year, from building the track to optimizing the fan experience, co-ordinating the event’s hundreds of volunteers and much more.
Here are just a few of the many people who work behind the scenes to make sure everything runs seamlessly. Jim Tario Director of track operations
What he does: Co-ordinates every aspect of the track build, working with multiple contractors to arrange for placement of the concrete block barriers and fencing, tire bundles, the grandstands and suites and more. “Pretty well anything that has to be built for the event comes under my bailiwick,” Tario says.
How long he’s been involved: He was employed by Exhibition Place in 1985 and worked with the race promoters and the series to design the original track layout for the first event in 1986. He changed jobs to work directly for the race promoter in 1987 and went on to start his own track build management company in 1991. What’s changed the most about his job since the beginning: “A number of years ago we decided to do all our work on the track build at night. Our impact on the city streets, especially Lake Shore Blvd., we’ve really minimized over the years.”
His biggest challenge: “We’re setting up a racetrack on a very active site with the soccer field there and a number of events that come in and out, and across the road you have concerts being held at the same time. You always have to be able to adapt, especially in dealing with Exhibition Place and the city of Toronto, who are great partners of ours. We work very closely with them as to when we can work, when we can’t work, what times of nights we’ll avoid. They help us a lot.”
Why he loves his job: “I get to work outside. I get to work with good people, good contractors. If you’ve had a nice, safe weekend and every- body has enjoyed it and people leave happy, that’s satisfaction for me.” Jamie Needler Senior event co-ordinator for Exhibition Place
What he does: He and the rest of his department administer contracts and provide grounds services for all events at Exhibition Place including the Honda Indy Toronto, such as audio/visual services, electricians, plumbers, cleaners, painters, labourers and much more.
How long he’s been involved: Needler began working for Exhibition Place as a student more than 40 years ago.
His biggest challenge: “During construction is the hard part because we’ve got dust flying all over the place and you’ve got to work closely not only with the Indy but with the constructors,” Needler says. “In 1996, we were building the Direct Energy Centre. That meant a realignment of the track and pit lane, so that was all incorporated into that construction. We’ve had the building of BMO Field and the hotel now being constructed. We involve the constructors very closely with the Indy, and we seem to be able to pull it off.”
What makes his job easier: “The one consistent through all that has been Jim Tario. We have very similar thoughts on the event business and our work ethic is very similar. The two of us have been able to work very closely on this event over the years.” How the Pan Am Games are impacting this year’s event: “Traditionally they have 19 days to move out of the event afterwards and this year they have six days. We’re working very closely with both the Pan Am Games and the Indy to make sure that happens, and everybody is very confident that it will happen. We’re in good shape right now.” His favourite memory of the race: “Paul Tracy winning. That was kind of neat, being right down near start/finish when that happened and seeing the reaction of all the fans down here with him being a hometown boy.” James McNally Hospitality supervisor (volunteer)
What he does: Acts as an ambassador for the Honda Indy Toronto in every aspect of the hospitality suites, not only ensuring that the corporate partners enjoy their race weekend experience but ensuring that the vol- unteers stationed there are also happy and cared for. McNally is a volunteer for the event. How long he’s been involved: More than 20 years. “Not quite from the beginning (in 1986) but shortly thereafter,” McNally says. He attended early events as a spectator before becoming involved as a volunteer.
His biggest challenge: Being involved because he’s a passionate race fan but missing much of the race doing his duties. “I’ve got to record it and watch it later. I get to see snippets of it here and there, but come race day it’s pretty busy. We’re doing a lot of running around.”
What’s most interesting about his role: “You get to meet great people. I got my picture taken with Paul Newman; very nice gentleman. Gene Simmons, he was pretty funny. We made sure that people weren’t swarming Gene Simmons in one of our hospitality areas.” Why he keeps coming back: “I love IndyCar. It’s my favourite series. It’s just a passion for the sport itself. I thoroughly enjoy being there. I’d like to see IndyCar prosper, and to make it more enjoyable for others is what keeps me wanting to come back and help spread the word.”