IndyCar could be racing in China as early as 2012

Written by Associated Press

By TALES AZZONI
Associated Press Writer

SAO PAULO (AP) The IndyCar Series could be racing in China as early as 2012.

Terry Angstadt, president of the series' commercial division, said early talks have began to try to take the series to the Asian country in the next few years.

He said officials have been to China two or three times already for negotiations and met with high-level government officials.

``We are not there yet,'' he said. ``It's something for at least two years in the future, maybe three.''

Angstadt said China makes perfect sense from a strategical point of view because it has a good economy, a relevant emerging automotive industry and a big sports base.

``Strategically, our plan is to go there,'' Angstadt said.

The Indy Racing League currently has only two races outside North America  in Japan and in Brazil, which is where the season will debut on Sunday. The event in China would take place the week before or after the race in Japan.

IRL new CEO Randy Bernard noted that the series remains focused on the United States and North America, but added that races abroad ``are important for the growth of the sport.''

TRACK SET:

Auto racing's governing body FIA has approved the newly built Anhembi circuit for Sunday's IndyCar season debut on the streets of South America's biggest city.

FIA inspector Eduardo Freitas conducted the final inspection on Friday and said the track is ready.

A few adjustments were still needed, but track designer Tony Cotman said the final changes would be made overnight when all streets were closed to the public.

The announcement that Sao Paulo was picked for the race in Brazil was made only in November and organizers had only about three months to set up the 2.6-mile (4.2-kilometer) track.

The circuit is highlighted by the Anhembi Sambadrome, a stadium-like venue where Sao Paulo's traditional Carnival parades are watched by tens of thousands of revelers every year in the city of nearly 12 million people.

Another unique track feature is its back straightaway, which is just short of a mile (1.6 kilometer) and the longest ever in the series.

``This will be the fastest street course I have ever raced on,'' said Japanese driver Hideki Mutoh. ``It is unbelievable. There will be some high speeds, especially in the race if you are behind someone and can slipstream and get a tow.''

ROOKIE CLASS:

Japanese driver Takuma Sato will be the most experienced rookie in the IndyCar Series this season.

Sato drove seven years in Formula One before joining KV racing for this year's IndyCar championship.

``I'm extremely excited by my entirely new challenge just around the corner,'' he said. ``It's a new season with a totally new environment. I am confident that I can find the speed quickly and I believe we will become strong contenders.''

Sato will be joined by two rookie women, Ana Beatriz Figueiredo of Brazil and Simona de Silvestro of Switzerland, in addition to Englishman Jay Howard and Brazilian Mario Romancini.

Figueiredo, Howard and Romancini are graduates of the Indy Lights series.

STREET FIRST:

For the first time the IndyCar season will have more races on street and road circuits than on ovals. There will be nine events on street or road tracks and eight on ovals.

The first time a non-oval race was added to the series was in 2005 in St. Petersburg, Florida, and since then 24 races have taken place on such tracks.

Scott Dixon _ last year's runner-up in the IndyCar Series  has the most wins on road and street circuits with seven, while Helio Castroneves and Dario Franchitti have won three times each.

HOT STREAK:

Scott Dixon needs to start 10th or better in Sunday's Sao Paulo Indy 300 to set the record for most consecutive top-10 starts in the IndyCar Series.

He enters the weekend tied with Sam Hornish Jr. with 32 top-10 starts. Dixon hasn't started worse than 10th since the 2008 race in Japan.

Dixon also needs to lead at least four laps on Sunday to become the third driver with at least 3,000 laps led in the series, along with Hornish Jr. and Helio Castroneves.