Inaugural Honda Indy Markham a True Success
Three months after breaking ground as a founding partner, The Remington Group watched its vision for Downtown Markham take centre stage — literally — as the inaugural Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham delivered a weekend of world-class racing, record crowds, and one unforgettable corner: the Remington Hairpin.
A Weekend That Delivered
As a founding partner, Remington provided the land for the new circuit and helped shape the course itself, including naming rights to Turn 5 — a contribution that put the company’s name at the heart of the action all weekend long. Held August 14–16 on a brand-new 12-turn, 3.52-kilometre street circuit built on Remington land in the Downtown Markham core, the inaugural race drew thousands to the community over the course of the weekend — many of them attending an IndyCar race for the very first time. Fans filled the Remington Grandstand and surrounding vantage points throughout the weekend, taking in practice, qualifying, and a dramatic 90-lap race that came down to the final laps.
The event wasn’t without its early challenges but by race day, that collaboration paid off: what followed was a weekend that proved Markham can deliver a genuinely world-class sporting event, capped by a finish worthy of the occasion.
Andretti Global’s Marcus Ericsson took the checkered flag, charging through the field late in the race to hunt down and pass Romain Grosjean for the win — his first with the team and his fifth career NTT INDYCAR SERIES victory, ending a 63-race winless streak in the process.
The Corner Everyone Was Talking About
If there was one place the new circuit made its name, it was the Remington Hairpin at Turn 5. Built with a bit of banking and elevation change coming off one of the track’s fastest stretches, the corner was designed from the outset to create passing opportunities — and it delivered exactly that, headlining highlight reels throughout the weekend. Ericsson’s race-winning move came through the hairpin, where he passed teammate Will Power for second before running down Grosjean for the lead. It was one of several dramatic moments at the corner over the weekend, as the tight, technical turn proved to be the circuit’s most consequential — and most photographed — piece of real estate.
A Credit to the Partnership
Delivering a new street circuit of this scale in the timeframe available was no small feat, and much of the credit belongs to the partners who made it happen — the City of Markham, the Ontario Honda Dealers Association, and race organizer Green Savoree Toronto ULC, alongside the event itself. That so many agencies came together to build and deliver a world-class temporary circuit on short notice is a genuine achievement, and one that speaks to the strength of the partnership behind it.
Online reaction to the inaugural race was largely positive, with fans and media alike responding to the quality of racing and the energy of the weekend — the kind of reception that bodes well for the event’s future in Markham. The Remington Group is especially proud of the work its own team put in behind the scenes to help make the weekend a success.
What’s Next
With a multiyear agreement already in place, The Remington Group and race organizers are looking ahead to 2027 — including early conversations about what the Remington Hairpin will look like next year. Whatever changes may be in store, the corner has already established itself as one of the signature features of Downtown Markham’s newest annual tradition.