Terry Angstadt, president of the IndyCar Series’ commercial division, confirmed on Tuesday it intends to race next March in Ribeirao Preto, Brazil, about 200 miles (300 kilometers) from Sao Paulo. A date is not expected to be announced until late July, when the entire schedule is released.
“We thought we were off the radar screen too long when we started in April this year, and that was one of our goals, to start in March, “ Angstadt said. “It’s a great economy down there. Has the world economic crisis affected them? Yes, but not as much as the U. S.”
APEX-Brasil joined the series this year as the sole provider of the ethanol fuel used in open-wheel cars and has been running spot ads throughout IndyCar telecasts all season.
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The series also was popular in Brazil, which has produced a large contingent of successful and popular IndyCar drivers. Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves and 2004 points champion Tony Kanaan both call Brazil home. Former Indy pole-winner Bruno Junqueira, and Vitor Meira, who hasn’t driven since injuring his back at Indy, also are from Brazil along with series regulars Raphael Matos and Mario Moraes.
Angstadt said next season’s projected 18-race schedule, one more than 2009, is expected to include an even split of oval races and those on street courses.
IndyCars is also taking a long look at adding China to its schedule in 2011 or 2012.
The Chinese plan to build an auto racing venue that could hold up to 500,000 fans. But it might not be finished until 2012. So if the series goes to China in two years, Angstadt said they would likely use a temporary street course.
