CF Markville hosts racing simulators and meet-and-greet with pro racer ahead of August Indy

CF Markville shopping centre is bringing trackside energy to the suburb ahead of its first Ontario Honda Dealers Indy with a free racing simulator experience and professional racer meet-and-greet.

Markham is hosting the Grand Prix of Toronto for the first time this August after a five-year deal moved the major motorsports event north from Exhibition Place in Toronto. The mall is celebrating with multiple free activations, most notably a professional-grade racing simulator experience where visitors will drive a virtual recreation of the real Markham Indy track layout and compete against professional lap times.

The racing simulator pop-up, a partnership with Toronto Racing Simulators, brings four professional-grade simulators to CF Markville's Grand Court on Saturday, August 1 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Sunday, August 2 (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.). Participants clocking an average simulator lap time of 1 minute and 20 seconds or faster will receive a $15 gift card as part of the "1:20 Speed Challenge."

Professional racer and Markham native Demi Chalkias will appear both days from 1 to 3 p.m. for meet-and-greets, autographs, and photos. A real race car will be parked in the mall's Grand Court throughout the weekend. CF Markville is located at 5000 Highway 7, Markham.