Team Stargate Worlds/HVM Racing Sao Paulo Race Preview

Sao Paulo, March 10, 2010: Coming to a new race track is always going to produce some challenges but you pair that up with a new driver and the challenges become much more, however, Team Stargate Worlds/HVM Racing and its driver Simona De Silvestro are more than up to the task and are eagerly looking forward to what's ahead at the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series season opener at Sao Paulo, Brazil. While the team may be new in name, the personnel that make up the Team Stargate Worlds/HVM Racing organization have a combined talent pool that will serve the young rookie well this weekend.

With 2 very successful IndyCar testing sessions already under her belt, Simona De Silvestro will join her fellow competitors this weekend for her debut at the Sao Paulo Indy 300 and tackle the 2.6 mile temporary street course, which also has the distinction of having the longest straightaway in series history. While De Silvestro will have her hands full, the 21 year old resident of Scottsdale, Arizona will be in the capable hands of the experienced crew, which will be led by her engineer Michael Cannon and crew chief Daryl Fox. “This week the reality is setting in and it is really exciting. My goal this weekend is to finish the race and to soak up as much as I can and use what I learn to help me for the next race,” states De Silvestro. “I have worked very hard in the weeks leading to this race and I'm confident that the Team Stargate Worlds/HVM Racing guys have given me a competitive car for this weekend.”

For HVM Racing Team Principal Keith Wiggins, the opportunity to race in Brazil is a welcomed return to a place he has been before. “I love Brazil and I have spent a lot of time there as part of Formula One. It was always a place full of excitement,” states Wiggins. "Personally, I am looking forward to the IndyCar race and I think it will be fantastic for the fans and the series. For our team, the focus has to be getting Simona comfortable, up to speed and to have a good clean race right up to the checkered flag in what will be a new and demanding environment for her. From there we can focus on building our competitiveness in the following races.”

It has been a long and difficult road to get to this point for all involved, including Team Stargate Worlds Team Principals Imran Safiulla and Shane Seneviratne, but there is a sense that the efforts are now bearing fruit. "We are heading into our first grand prix and it's surreal! There has been a lot of effort put into the program and we are excited as the team is now heading to Brazil. Simona has made a lot of strides in and out of the car. The Team Stargate Worlds/HVM Racing team has realistic expectations as she eases herself into her new role as a rookie in the Izod IndyCar series," Safiulla exclaims.