Solberg Could Run in the IndyCar at Las Vegas

Here’s one that most of you might not have expected: former winner of the World Rally Championship Petter Solberg might compete in professional single-seaters. And it would not happen on the Old Continent, as you’d probably expect, but in the US, as a wind-card entry in this year’s race at Las Vegas.

As part of the 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series programme, the organizers have set up a special wild-card scheme for the aforementioned race. The event will mark the season finale this year and the championship officials have already confirmed that any wild card entry that would go on to win the race would receive a $5 million bonus. A minimum of 5 wild-card entries will be offered for this year’s Las Vegas race.

“I always wanted to try something like this,” the Norwegian told Autosport a while back. “Competing at an event like this would be good fun. I have tested a Le Mans car and a Formula 1 car, so I don't think the driving challenge would be a problem for me.”

In addition, the Las Vegas organizers are also targeting another big name of the motor racing world, namely the former CART and Formula 1 champion Jacques Villeneuve. According to a report from the aforementioned publication, citing the racer’s spokesman, discussions about Villeneuve’s potential entry in the race are already under way.

If the Canadian would agree to run in Vegas, this would be his first outing in the series since the 1995 CART finale, when he was crowned US champion.

The IZOD INDYCAR World Championships at Las Vegas is scheduled for October 16 this year, and will be ran at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.