Alex Tagliani says he is close to securing enough sponsorship which would see him return full-time to the IndyCar Series this year.
“One of the reasons I’m here is we’ve put together a proposal to a group of companies that will benefit the whole province and the city and the race,” he said. Without going into too much detail, Tagliani says the deal would provide plenty of sponsorship exposure while benefitting local racing programs and charities as well as helping secure the long-term future of the race in Edmonton.
“It’s real important that we protect the events we have in Canada ... and that means we have to give sponsors a wider platform and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Tagliani, a native of Montreal, who was on hand for the kick off, said the event has the potential to put Edmonton on the map. It’s also important to keep events like this in the country, he added.
“This event could give maximum exposure to the city,” he said.
Tagliani drove the final three races of the 2008 season for Eric Bachelart’s Conquest Racing team, with a fourth place finish in the season-ending event in Australia. Conquest has confirmed Jaime Camara as its lone entry for 2009 but hopes to add Tagliani if enough sponsorship can be found.
“We fully recognize that there were financial challenges to 2008 and the 2009 event will be a much different picture,” he said. “We’re confident that we can move forward to make the race more financially sustainable in the future.”
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