Sao Paolo Secures IndyCar Event

With so many Brazilian drivers racing in the Indy Car Series, it was only natural for the North American officials to start thinking of incorporating a Brazilian race in their calendar. And the news finally became official yesterday, when the Sao Paulo mayor Gilberto Kassab happily confirmed the championship's first street race in the famous Brazilian city.

“The arrival of the IZOD IndyCar Series confirms Sao Paulo's nature of staging great worldwide events. It is a gift to the citizens of Sao Paulo who will be able to watch up close great racecars and drivers,” said Kassab.

“It is also a great opportunity for business for the city that becomes the capital of motor racing in Latin America,” added the Sao Paolo mayor.

It will be the first time the Indy Car Series will travel to Brazil in the championship's entire history, but the move was necessary because of the multitude of Brazilian drivers in the series. In addition, the championship has gained a lot of fans in the country and it was only a question of when Brazil would join Japan as the only 2 overseas races in the championship.

“While our primary focus continues to be building the sport of the IZOD IndyCar Series domestically, the race in Sao Paulo affords us a unique opportunity to visit a country that has a huge passion for open-wheel racing,” said Indy Racing League commercial boss Terry Angstadt.

Four Brazilian drivers who last year competed in the Indy Car Series are currently listed for a karting event in Sao Paolo later this week: Tony Kanaan (former winner of the Indy series), Vitor Meira, Raphael Matos and Mario Moraes.