After Victory At Petit Le Mans, Castroneves Looks For Permission To Race In Australia
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Oct 10, 2008
This is an update to:
For Helio Castroneves, The Case Is Like A Race Against The Internal Revenue Service
Out on $10 million bail after he was indicted on charges of conspiracy and six counts of tax evasion for purportedly failing to report to the IRS about $5.5 million in income between 1999 and 2004, the “Dancing with the Stars” champion was in suburban Atlanta for the American Le Mans Series Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta.
Not only was he back on track, but he was back in the winner’s circle, as well.
Castroneves and teammate Ryan Briscoe outpaced the rest of the cars to finish first in the Le Mans Prototype 2 Class, while Allan McNish, Rinaldo Capello and Emanuele Pirro teamed to win the P1 and overall titles in an Audi.
“It has been a difficult two days, but to finish first, it turned out to be a good day,” Castroneves said. “It was a great day, and we’re going to continue to move forward.”
Castroneves didn’t think that his legal woes were a distraction, if anything, racing helped him forget about everything.
“When you’re out in the car you’re the only one,” he said. “That was perfect for me. ... The fans kept me going. They gave me an immense amount of support. I was very touched.”
As for the impending legal battle, Castroneves said he’ll fight it like it’s his job.
“This problem is like a race,” he said. “And we’re going to win.”
Helio Castroneves is asking a Miami judge to change his bail conditions on tax charges so he can compete in a race in Australia.
The race car driver and 2007 “Dancing With The Stars” champ is barred by a court order from leaving the country. A judge scheduled a hearing Friday afternoon on Castroneves’ request to change that so he can drive in the Oct. 26 race.
UPDATE: October 11, 2008 06:05 am
Famed Indy car driver and celebrity dancer Helio Castroneves will be allowed to leave the country and race in Australia later this month even while he is facing federal tax-evasion charges, a federal magistrate ruled on Friday.
Prosecutors argued the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner has ample reason to run and the assets in Brazil and elsewhere to facilitate such a move. But U.S. Magistrate Judge William Turnoff said he was convinced that “the dumbest thing Mr. Castroneves could do” would be to flee to his native Brazil and not show up for court, given his lucrative racing and endorsement career based in the U.S.
“You have much to lose by not complying with conditions of release,” Turnoff said at a hearing to Castroneves, who nodded vigorously in agreement.
Castroneves, who also won the 2007 TV “Dancing with the Stars” competition, is charged with conspiracy and tax evasion for allegedly dodging U.S. taxes on about $5.5 million in income using offshore accounts. He has pleaded not guilty and is free on $10 million bail.
David Garvin, Castroneves’ lawyer, said the racer has more to lose by fleeing such as endorsements or his racing career.
Castroneves won last year’s US television “Dancing with the Stars” competition and Turnoff, in making his decision to allow Castroneves to race in Australia, said he would be “Dancing with US Marshals” should he flee.
“I’m very happy,” Castroneves said after the hearing. “I want to race. This is what I do. I’ll do my best to bring a trophy home for the judge.”
