Apex Brasil, the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency, hosted the first international INDYCAR “Ortsbo Live & Global” Q&A session with IZOD IndyCar Series drivers April 27 at the Anhembi circuit.

The festive atmosphere at its hospitality unit in the Sambodromo on the eve of practice and qualifications for the third Itaipava São Paulo Indy 300 presented by Nestle also was a celebration of sorts of its four-year association with INDYCAR.

The Apex Brasil INDYCAR Project, which facilitates the entry of Brazilian products and services into the U.S. market, generated export revenue of almost $1 billion in 2011. Total revenue registered in 2010 was $589 million.

“The success of this program far exceeds what we expected,” Apex Brazil president Mauricio Borges said. “The Apex Brasil INDYCAR Project has demonstrated that it can confer great visibility to Brazilian goods and services.  The racing environment really facilitates a dialogue with foreign companies. Buyers and sellers spend longer periods of time together than in a traditional setting and the exhilarating atmosphere fuels the conversation.  Brazilian companies have discovered just how important it is to take part in these promotional activities.”

More than 60 sectors are represented, including the IT, health, machinery, fashion, coffee and food and beverage industries. Those, and many more, are represented during the third IZOD IndyCar Series race in South America's most populous city.