IndyCar – Takuma Sato Signs With KVRT

As we reported in an article from Feb 6th, former F1 BAR Honda and Super Aguri driver has signed with KV Racing Technologies for a full-time ride in the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series.

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“We are very excited to have been able to put this deal together with Takuma and his group,” said KVRT co-owner Jimmy Vasser. “I can’t wait to see what I know will be a extremely fast pace by Taku on the road courses and look forward to working with him and getting him up to speed on the ovals. I have no doubt that Taku will be right on the pace immediately. Taku’s knowledge and experience will be a great asset and his great sense of humor and easy manner will add positive energy to our team.”

The big remaining question is where does this put Mario Moraes? Mario showed a lot of improvement and growth over the 2009 season, and it would be a shame to lose him from the series. Also mixed in with all of the various KVRT rumors is that E.J. Viso may sign with the team. The speculation running through the interwebs is highly varied: KV comes as a 1-car effort with Sato, a 2-car effort with Sato and Moraes or Viso, or a 3-car effort with all three drivers.

My preference would certainly be for the latter, although I hope that KVRT has a good stock of spare parts! Moraes and Viso have really improved their consistency since their rookie seasons in the IZOD IndyCar Series, but Crashmaster Sato has a well earned reputation for tearing up race cars. Regardless, it should be exciting!

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6 Thoughts to “IndyCar – Takuma Sato Signs With KVRT

  1. Throw in the one off’s that PT is running with the team for Indy and the Canadian races (and maybe more).

    Another possibility is that Viso will be picked up to run the remainder of the docket that PT does not run.

  2. Don

    So where does that leave Viso? I can’t imagine him running a partial season for KV. I’m sure there are numerous teams (NHL for one) that would welcome him with open arms.

  3. I agree Don. Viso’s got talent, and some Venezuelan money to back it up. I would hate to see him without a ride, or with a subpar one.

  4. Brad

    Great news! We need more good drivers entering the series, rather than them leaving for NAPCAR.

    Now if we can choose a proper new chassis (Swift please!) and make it properly fast and exciting (see CART days) we’ll be back in business. Make the cars scary fast and great looking. Sponsorship dollars will follow.

    Delta THING = Death

  5. NHLR is probably not an option. There’s some buzz out in the IRM that NHLR may not answer the bell this season! 🙁 I think we’ll see Viso in a KVRT ride before Moraes just because of the money situation. Personally, I’d love to see KVRT be a three-car team with Paul Tracy coming in as a fourth car part-time. Yeah, I know its a bit of a pipedream.

  6. Glad to see Taku land the ride. I know a certain fan of Japanese drivers who’s head just exploded! (doug)

    It is good to get some high profile drivers in the series and that does leave a question for Viso who just tested. Autosport made it sound as though Moraes had not been confirmed but I thought he had. Viso could go to NHL. Should be fun to watch!

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