Helio castroneves height8/22/2023 And because it is a fly-away race, they will not have all the usual resources at their disposal. It's a major task for teams to set up their cars for a track they have never seen after just two days of open testing. For me it's about concentrating on a strong start and hoping that will make the difference to bring us through." "It was a long way for us to try and make up. "We definitely got ourselves into a bit of a hole at the start of 2009, and I think we were something like 18th in the points after two or three races," said the two-time Ind圜ar Series champion. Ganassi's Scott Dixon is especially keen to get his 2010 season off to a strong start after two poor early finishes compromised his 2009 championship challenge. As a first event, on Monday you'll be saying, 'We could do this or this or this better.' But I think it will be at a high standard from the get-go."įrom a competitive standpoint, Kanaan and his Andretti Autosport teammates will be looking to catch up to the drivers for Target Chip Ganassi Racing and Team Penske, including Castroneves. Obviously, we've got the Olympics and the World Cup coming up, as well, so it's really important for us to have a good presentation. "First of all, I think it was a bit late to decide to have a race there just four months before the championship starts. Kanaan believes the Brazilian organizers will come through with a world-class event. "Yes, you have to expect some issues, which is normal the first time at a road course." "They are doing everything they can for a great race," he added. It may not be the prettiest site, but it's the place where everybody enjoys and has fun with the carnival, which just happened. ![]() "Everybody is excited, everybody is pumped. "The reception has been outstanding," he said. By the time CART's five-year run in Brazil ended, Ribeiro had already retired from racing to focus on his Brazilian business interests in partnership with Roger Penske.īased on a couple of promotional trips to the circuit, Castroneves expects the Ind圜ar Series to receive a warm welcome in his home city. The 1996 race was at the height of Brazilian participation in CART, with a lineup that featured Emerson Fittipaldi and his nephew, Christian Fittipaldi, along with Raul Boesel, Gil de Ferran, Mauricio Gugelmin, Roberto Moreno and Marco Greco.īut they were all trumped on their home soil by Andre Ribeiro, whose wildly celebrated victory in April 1996 was one of three he scored in the CART series. Kanaan and Castroneves remember watching CART's Brazilian debut in 1996 before competing in the CART races at Rio from 1998 to 2000. The others include three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves, Vitor Meira, Rafael Matos, Mario Romancini, Mario Moraes and Ana Beatriz, the only female driver to have won an Indy Lights championship race. Kanaan is one of seven Brazilian drivers entered in Sunday's 75-lap race. If this works out for us, it could be one of the most exciting tracks we have." they're building a racetrack the way we want it. The Brazilians said, 'Whatever you want.' They took gates out, sidewalks. "It's because of the way Tony Cotman and those guys built the course. "I'm not pushing it because I'm from ," he added. Who's going to want to lead the last lap on that back straightaway? Whoever has enough push-to-pass button to go. "It's going to probably be the fastest street course we've ever had, with that mile-long straightaway, with a lot of places to pass. "It looks exciting," said Andretti Autosport star Tony Kanaan. This time around, the venue is a 2.6-mile street course in downtown Sao Paulo through the site of Brazil's famed carnival celebration.ĭesigned by Indy racing veteran Tony Cotman, the track is wide and fast, highlighted by a mile-long back straight that might dispel the notion that street racing is boring and doesn't feature any passing. ![]() Indy cars raced in Brazil under CART sanction from 1996-2000 at a fast road course/oval hybrid near Rio de Janeiro. The Izod Ind圜ar Series season starts outside the United States for the first time Sunday with the inaugural Sao Paulo Indy 300. You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser
0 Comments
Leave a Reply.AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |