Photo Credit: Ashley McCubbin
For the third straight year, Robby Gordon’s SPEED Energy Off-Road Presented by Traxxas trucks will be invading the Honda Indy Toronto to put on a thriller of a show for the fans. The track produces a unique layout that has produced exciting racing for fans in the past, including a barn-burner last year with Sheldon Creed and Gordon trading the lead back-and-forth.
Ahead of the event this weekend, here are some spots that you need to watch for when you check out the race.
The Ramps – When the Stadium Super Trucks take over an IndyCar circuit, there are metal ramps placed in certain places of the track. In years past, there have been three ramps placed along the frontstretch, as well through turns eight thru 10 of the course.
These metal, man-made ramps send the trucks up to 20 feet in the air and 150 feet down course. Seeing the trucks flying through the air is a sight that leaves fans grasping for air and screaming loudly as they snap as many photos as humanly possible.
The Princess Gates – It’s an iconic shot used by many photographers as they showcase the trucks sliding through turn one just before the gates. Launching off the ramps on the front-straightaway, and then screaming down the rest of the stretch and getting slowed up and turned does present a challenge. The tighter you land the corner, the better to not allow your competitor to get past you. However, it’s easy to screw up and go wide and possibly make contact with the wall.
Lakeshore Blvd. – Lakeshore Blvd., the backstraightaway, is the longest stretch of straight track on the entire course. There’s also a trick at the end of the course – the tight turn three that has caught many drivers off-guard over the years. Getting turned and not making contact with competitors will be key to having success.
“For our trucks, we’re flat flying at the end of the backstraightaway,” Gordon commented last year. “We’re reaching about 150 mph and it’s very edgy down there so that’s probably the most challenging thing in slowing down and not locking up the brakes. What you probably saw in the race number one (last year), I hit the wall so it’s just trying not to lock up the brakes and hit the wall.”
Turns 5 and 6 – The back end of the course produces a couple of passing opportunities for any driver to take advantage of if the driver in front of them messes up with their momentum through that section. The only thing, though, is the fact that is tight though there so you have to be careful with the amount of contact that you make. Contact is certainly welcome with the trucks, as seen in the past. It’s just about balancing the amount of contact you make, and having a successful race that gives you the results you want.
