IndyCar’s Toronto street race has been cancelled for a second year in a row due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Questions had been raised over the July 9-11 event being able to go ahead, and on Thursday the City of Toronto decided to extend the cancellation of permits for major events and festivals through September 9.
It means sports fans in the region miss out on both the Canadian Grand Prix and the Grand Prix of Toronto for the second successive year.
“The NTT IndyCar Series race around Exhibition Place and Princes’ Gates is a hallmark of our summer schedule,” said Penske Entertainment Corporation president and CEO Mark Miles.
“To have that void for a second straight year is heartbreaking. We deeply miss our fans there and urge them to remain safe during these unprecedented times.
“IndyCar looks forward to a high-powered return in 2022 and for years to come.”
2021 Event Update: https://t.co/sJ6zZBnZMI pic.twitter.com/WYOWuiscJZ
— Honda Indy Toronto (@hondaindy) May 14, 2021
In a series announcement, INDYCAR said it “is considering various scenarios for the remainder of the 2021 NTT IndyCar Series calendar”.
On April 14 Miles confirmed “I think the most likely step would be a double-header on a weekend we’re already scheduled” in the event of the Ontario event dropping from the calendar.
The Grand Prix of Toronto is organised by Green Savoree Race Promotions, so the most likely outcome is that one of the other events it promotes would gain an extra race.
Mid-Ohio is one of those events and takes place the week before the Toronto race was scheduled, while Portland’s September 12 would be another option – but that race kicks off a three-weekend run of races.
Outside of Green Savoree’s promotion, the Indianapolis road course hosts an August 14 event and could be another option to become a double-header.
Updated calendar for rest of 2021
May 15 Indianapolis road course
May 30 Indianapolis 500
June 12-13 Detroit double-header
June 20 Road America
July 4 Mid-Ohio
August 8 Nashville
August 14 Indianapolis road course 2
August 21 Gateway
September 12 Portland
September 19 Laguna Seca
September 26 Long Beach
