Toronto Star

For Canadian hopefuls, it’s pedal to the metal at the Ex

- STEPHANIE WALLCRAFT SPECIAL TO THE STAR

The racing action at the Honda Indy Toronto doesn’t stop when the Verizon IndyCar Series leaves the track. Six other series will grace the streets of Exhibition Place this weekend, including all three levels of the IndyCar driver developmen­t system, the Mazda Road to Indy.

Whether it’s open-wheel or sports car racing you crave, or even the noholds-barred SPEED Energy Offroad Trucks, there’s something on the undercard for everyone.

Indy Lights

Indy Lights, the top level of the Mazda Road to Indy and a natural destinatio­n for any driver seeking an IndyCar career, rolled out a brand new car design this year that has shaken up the field considerab­ly.

The most likely contender for wins in the two races of the weekend (4:45 p.m. Saturday; 11:45 a.m. Sunday) is Jack Harvey of the U.K. racing with Schmidt Peterson Motorsport­s, who leads the point standings and is on a roll after winning the Freedom 100 and a road course outing at Indianapol­is Motor Speedway last month.

European powerhouse team Carlin was strong out of the gate in its debut season with the series, but the team and its drivers — Ed Jones of Dubai and Briton Max Chilton (yes, that Max Chilton, who raced in Formula One) — have had their heels cooled over the last few races as the competitio­n has caught up.

There were no early reports of any Canadians planning to enter Indy Lights for Toronto, but don’t be surprised if one signs up at the last minute. The chance to compete in front of a home crowd is irresistib­le to many.

Pro Mazda

This middle tier of the Road to Indy is where you’ll find the majority of the Canadians who are making their way up the ladder.

A pair of local boys is contesting their sophomore full-season efforts in the series: Dalton Kellett of Toron- to and Garett Grist of Grimsby. They’ve been joined this year by rookie Daniel Burkett from Winnipeg, who graduated out of USF2000.

Whatever you do, don’t miss these two races (1:35 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. Sunday).

Every one of these talented young Canucks is desperate to get a win at home.

USF2000

It’s been the America and France show in USF2000 this year with Jake Eidson and Aaron Telitz of the U.S. and Frenchman Nico Jamin effectivel­y spending the season swapping places on the podium, and the same can be expected in this weekend’s two races (12:40 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. Sunday).

There are two full-time Canadians in this series in 2015. Rookie Parker Thompson of Red Deer, Alta., is having what’s best called a characterb­uilding year, but that’s what rookie seasons are for and maturity is coming for him very quickly.

He’s joined on the grid by veteran James Dayson of Vancouver.

Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada

Canada’s single-make Porsche racing series, one of a network of more than 20 series run by Porsche worldwide, returns to the streets of Exhibition Place. This year’s championsh­ip appears to be Chris Green’s to lose, though 2014 series champion Scott Hargrove is returning for this race with his team from last year, OpenRoad, hoping to play the spoiler. Rookie contender Daniel Morad of Markham, Ont., can also be expected to mount a strong challenge as he gains experience in these cars, and reigning Platinum Masters champion Marco Cirone can never be counted out for a victory.

As with the other support series, the Porsches will be on track twice over the course of the weekend (11:40 a.m. Saturday; 1:10 p.m. Sunday).

Canadian Touring Car Championsh­ip

The Canadian Touring Car Championsh­ip offers an opportunit­y to see homegrown talent duke it out in an array of different cars.

This year is better than ever: the Grand Touring class has returned to the series, bringing the number of classes up to three, and it has also attracted some factory-supported efforts, most notably a pair of Hyundai Genesis Coupes fielded for veteran racers Bob Attrell and Damon Sharpe.

This is the only time all weekend you’ll be able to see a Ford Mustang, Porsche 911, BMW M3, Subaru WRX STi, Mazda MX-5, Honda Civic Ci and many other cars all on track at the same time. They’ll run a pair of races (3:45 p.m. Friday; 5:50 p.m. Saturday).

Speed Energy Formula Off-Road

These are perhaps better-known as Robby Gordon’s Stadium Super Trucks, but you can call them whatever you want because you definitely won’t miss them: they’re huge, loud, beastly looking things that come pretty darned close to stealing the show every year.

They don’t just race, either — they jump over ramps, beat and bang each other around and often end up sideways or upside-down. It’s ripping good fun.

The driver roster in this series is subject to change, but it will almost certainly include Gordon himself as well as EJ Viso (who is a certified lunatic in these things) and a few other recognizab­le names.

A talented young Canadian kart racer named Russell Boyle is also joining the field for the weekend’s two races (4 p.m. Saturday; 2:10 p.m. Sunday).

 ?? COURTESY OF PORSCHE ?? One of Canada’s most promising young racers is B.C.’s Scott Hargrove. He’s racing at the Honda Indy this weekend in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada race.
COURTESY OF PORSCHE One of Canada’s most promising young racers is B.C.’s Scott Hargrove. He’s racing at the Honda Indy this weekend in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada race.
 ?? PRO MAZDA ?? Queen’s University student Dalton Kellett of Toronto in his Andretti Autosport Pro Mazda car.
PRO MAZDA Queen’s University student Dalton Kellett of Toronto in his Andretti Autosport Pro Mazda car.
 ?? PRO MAZDA ?? Garett Grist of Grimsby is one of three Canadians competing in the Pro Mazda Championsh­ip this year.
PRO MAZDA Garett Grist of Grimsby is one of three Canadians competing in the Pro Mazda Championsh­ip this year.

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