It began in 1997 as an informal activity between friends to celebrate the end of the motorsports season, and in the interceding years the 500 Milhas Granja Viana kart race has grown into a major competition and event in Brazil.
Verizon IndyCar Series driver Tony Kanaan, a founder of the charity event, is looking forward to again driving in the 12-hour race Dec. 19.
“It’s a race we started many years ago and one that I’ll do until I’m not capable of doing,” said Kanaan, who recently underwent surgery for a sports hernia. “It’s for a good cause and we can race against some of the young guns and some of the up-and-coming drivers are trying to make it into racing and they’re excited that we’re coming back to race them. For me, it’s always a great time.”
Multiple Verizon IndyCar Series and Mazda Road to Indy drivers have participated in the event through the years, and Kanaan will have James Hinchcliffe on his team at the karting facility in Limeira in the state of São Paulo. Kanaan has teamed with Rubens Barrichello and other co-drivers to win the race nine times.
Event organizer Felipe Giaffone, a former Verizon IndyCar Series driver, said he expects 70 entries featuring 150 drivers. Barrichello recently conducted a tire test at the track.
"Limeira has a technical route and will undoubtedly be a big draw for the 2015 edition,” the former Verizon IndyCar Series and Formula One driver said.
INDYCAR supplier receives Autosport Award
McLaren Applied Technologies, which supplies electronic components for Verizon IndyCar Series chassis and engines, was the recipient of the inaugural Pioneering and Innovation Award during the Autosport Awards gala Dec. 6 in London.
Reigning Verizon IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon and 2015 Indianapolis 500 Mile Race winner Juan Pablo Montoya, who was runner-up in the driver championship, were nominated in the International Racing Driver of the Year category. Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton won the award for the second year in a row.
Four-time Verizon IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti was among the award presenters.
RJB Motorsports joins USF2000 lineup
RJB Motorsports will field a two-car team in the 2016 Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda.
The long-term commitment follows an exploratory USF2000 outing at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in August and participation in the recent Chris Griffis Memorial Mazda Road to Indy Test at Circuit of The Americas.
SCCA regulars Clint McMahan and Alex Mayer drove at Mid-Ohio and McMahan, the 2014 F600 champion, also drove at the Chris Griffis Memorial Test.
McMahan, from Covington, Ga., will drive for the Sturgis, Mich.-based team in its inaugural USF2000 campaign. A second driver will be announced soon.