2010 Season starts at the Streets of São Paulo

The city of São Paulo will stage the opening round of the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series season. Scheduled for March 14, the event represents the return of Indy-style racing to Brazil thanks to the partnership between the city of São Paulo and the IRL. São Paulo´s Mayor Gilberto Kassab is very enthusiastic about the chances for both sides of the deal.

"The arrival of the IZOD IndyCar Series confirms São Paulo's nature of staging great worldwide events. It is a gift to the citizens of São Paulo who will be able to watch up close great racecars and drivers. It is also a great opportunitty for business for the city that becomes the capital of motoracing in Latin América."

The event marks the first IZOD IndyCar Series street race in Brazil. São Paulo is already home to the Brazil Formula 1 Grand Prix staged at the Interlagos racetrack. Now the city concentrates two of the most important motorsports events worldwide. It is reported the event will cover the cost for freight and workforce for all teams plus a six-digit bonus for every team which will participating the race.

"While our primary focus continues to be building the sport of the IZOD IndyCar Series domestically, the race in São Paulo affords us a unique opportunity to visit a country that has a huge passion for open-wheel racing. With strong support from our major partner Aprex-Brasil, a significant television package from TV Bandeirantes, a large number of drivers from the country and the opportunity for a unique course, it makes sense from both a business and competition standpoint," said Terry Angstadt, president of the commercial division for the sanctioning Indy Racing League.

The IZOD IndyCar Series has a long history of Brazilian driver participation including this year's field highlighted by three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves, 2004 IndyCar Series champion Tony Kanaan, veteran driver Vitor Meira, and up-and-coming IndyCar Series stars Raphael Matos and Sao Paulo native Mario Moraes. Many of the Indycar Series veteran drivers contended between 1996 and 2000 at the "Roval" at Emerson Fitipaldi Speedway in Rio de Janeiro at the heydays of CART. So for some drivers this is a return in many ways.

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