Honda Indy Toronto 2013
There will be plenty of excitement at the Honda Indy in July, 2013. For the first time, back to back IZOD IndyCar Series races will take place July 13 and 14. The Honda Indy is among the most respected motorsports events in North America and features a week-long festival-like atmosphere that includes the fastest racing series on the planet, celebrity athletes, live entertainment and interactive activities.
The InterContinental Toronto Yorkville is thrilled to be partners with 2 great Indy team racers: Simona De Silvestro and Tony Kanaan. Come for the week or come for the weekend and be part of the excitement.
KV Racing Technology -
The team was formed in January 2003 as a single-car operation, under the banner of PK Racing. In 2004, the Indianapolis-based team expanded to a two-car effort when Jimmy Vasser joined as driver and co-owner and the operation became PKV Racing. The team was renamed to KV Racing Technology in 2008 when it joined the IZOD IndyCar Series. This year will be the team's 11th season of competition and sixth in the IZOD IndyCar Series.
KV Racing Technology is owned by successful venture capitalist Kevin Kalkhoven, 1996 CART Indy Car World Series Champion Jimmy Vasser, and international industrialist Imran Safiulla. Vasser, who drove his last open-wheel race in 2008, is now deeply involved in team operations and mentors the team's drivers. Steve Moore is Team Manager and handles the day-to-day operations.
TK -
Tony Kanaan is one of the most recognized drivers in the IndyCar paddock. His fun sense of humor and approachability makes him a fan favorite. Kanaan is in his 12th season with IndyCar and third with KV Racing Technology. He made history in 2004, by becoming the first driver in major auto racing to complete every lap of every race for an entire season on his way to winning the 2004 IndyCar Series title.
When Kanaan is away from the track, he loves cycling and has participated in many triathlons including the IronMan in Kona, Hawaii in 2011. He speaks four languages (Portuguese, English, Spanish and Italian).
Simona -
Simona De Silvestro, a native Switzerland, is in her fourth season as an IZOD IndyCar driver and her first season with KV Racing Technology. Simona won her first race in the Champ Car Atlantic Championship at Long Beach in 2008 driving for the late Paul Newman's team, Newman-Wachs Racing. She went on to stun the North American open-wheel world in 2009, winning four races, four pole positions and nine podium finishes, making her the first woman in series history to have earned the most wins, pole positions, and lead the most laps all in a single season.
In 2010, De Silvestro made the switch to IndyCar with HVM Racing. She led her first laps at the season-opener in Sao Paulo, Brazil and her drove from 22nd to 14th at the Indianapolis 500 earning her the Indy 500 Rookie of The Year honors. De Silvestro remained with HVM during 2011 and 2012, earning her career best finish of fourth at St. Petersburg, FL in 2011 as well as three top-10 finishes and fastest lap of the race at Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Off-track, De Silvestro enjoys playing golf and tennis as well as going to the movies, working out, and listening to music. Simona speaks five languages (French, English, Italian, German, and Swiss-German).
