Sports News
Alex Tagliani to IndyCar Series
Alex Tagliani says he is close to securing enough sponsorship which would see him return full-time to the IndyCar Series this year.
Tagliani was in Edmonton Wednesday to help promote the start of ticket sales for this year's Rexall Edmonton Grand Prix. The 35-year-old is also hoping that his road back to the IndyCar Series will go through the province of Alberta.
"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 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.
Tagliani admits a deal is likely weeks away, which means he will be hard pressed to be on the starting grid for the April 5th season opener. However, he is hopeful of competing in at least 16 of the 17 events scheduled for this year, including races in Toronto and Edmonton.
Meanwhile, Northlands' president Ken Knowles confirmed that the city of Edmonton was on the hook for $5.3-million in losses from last year's race.
"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."
Last year, Knowles and the city were not informed about the Indy Racing League's intention to retain the Edmonton race until eight week's before the event was held. That left them little time to promote and market the race. This year, tickets go on sale Friday for the July 26th race.
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