Ho-Pin Tung Seeks IndyCar Deal with FAZZT

After spending the last few seasons in Formula One's feeder series, the GP2 championship, but with little or no chances of making the big step to the Great Circus anytime soon, Ho-Pin Tung is about to become the first Chinese driver to ever race in America's top open-wheel series, the IRL.

The soon to turn 28 Dutch-Chinese driver (he was born in Velp, Netherlands), whose career includes stints in the Formula BMW Asia, Formula 3 Germany, A1GP, Superleague Formula and the GP2 Series, tested for new Indy squad FAZZT Race Team (which debuted in the series last year) at Sebring last weekend and confirmed he aims to make his debut in the series from as early as 2011.

“I am eager to get more now,” said Tung, after clocking the best lap time of 53.5 seconds after the 2-day test. “This week has been terrific for getting to know the team and IndyCar. I even got a ride around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and can only imagine how amazing it would be to run there especially in this centennial year.”

What's more important (and positive, we might add) for Tung is that it's not only him that wants to race for FAZZT, but also the Montreal-based organization targets a 2-driver effort for the 2011 campaign, with Tung to partner existing driver Alex Tagliani.

“Our goal is to run a minimum of two cars for the 2011 IZOD IndyCar season and this test was a first step in that direction. With the support of our primary sponsor Bowers & Wilkins, our team is actively seeking sponsorship for the second full-time entry for the 2011 season and beyond,” confirmed the team's general manager Rob Edwards.

“Ho-Pin Tung's talent and presence in an IndyCar can reach a whole new nation of fans in China and presents significant opportunities for our sport and our partners,” added the FAZZT official.