Run under the impressive Prince’s Gate landmark in the city’s Exhibition Place, Toronto is a fast temporary circuit that soon rivalled Long Beach as North America's best city race. Laid out in the grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition, it is a cross between a street circuit and demanding road course – combining the best of both types of venue. Toronto’s Exhibition Place had held a NASCAR race in 1958 and was chosen to host the 1969 Canadian Grand Prix with Joakim Bonnier advising on safety matters. The project was abandoned when the Province of Ontario authorities refused planning permission in February of that year. A round of the Champ Car World Series was eventually held from 1986 until the demise of the championship in 2007. Absent from the calendar for a year, the event has been part of the rival IndyCar Series since 2009. The 1996 race was marred by the violent accident that claimed the lives of Jeff Krosnoff and marshal Gary Avrin. Michael Andretti enjoyed racing here for he won seven times during the Champ Car years – a record for the well supported event.
