Promoter Black Flags INDYCAR Season Opener

The Brazilian promoter of the race slated to kick off the INDYCAR season March 8 has pulled the plug. The Verizon IndyCar Series governing body issued a statement calling the decision “unexpected and disappointing,” saying two-thirds of the seats have already been sold and a title sponsor was in place. When the Brasilia Indy 300 was announced in September, Hulman & Co. Chief Executive Offiver Mark Miles said the race was an “instrumental step in the growth of INDYCAR.”

Local government officials were expecting 100,000 people at the event.

The series last held a race in the South American nation in 2013 on the streets on S?o Paulo.

Source: INDYCAR

January 28, 2015

INDYCAR statement on promoter announcement of Brasilia race cancellation

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – INDYCAR, the governing body of the Verizon IndyCar Series, issued the following statement regarding the cancellation of the Brasilia Indy 300 in the capital city of Brazil:

Today’s announcement by BAND that the March 8 INDYCAR race in Brasilia was cancelled was both unexpected and disappointing. INDYCAR had received every indication that the race was already a success: Two-thirds of the seats available for the event had already been sold; a title sponsor for the event (ITAIPAVA) was announced yesterday; hospitality was sold out; and track construction was progressing and scheduled to be complete in time for the event.

Although we have not received formal confirmation from our partners in Brazil regarding the cancellation, economically INDYCAR is protected and the paddock is protected from such action.

Source: INDYCAR