Veteran Racer Aids Taku On Track

IZOD IndyCar Series rookie Takuma Sato, with just three oval races under his belt in 2010, is enjoying some unique advice during his oval experiences this year.

Serving as Takuma's 'spotter' during the oval races is veteran IndyCar driver Roger Yasukawa, a five-time Indianapolis 500 starter.

Yasukawa, runner-up to Dan Wheldon in the 2003 IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year standings, brings a vast level of experience to the Formula One veteran and IndyCar rookie Sato, who drives the #5 Lotus – KV Racing Technology Honda/Dallara/Firestone entry.

Yasukawa has started 39 races in the IZOD IndyCar Series and is still actively pursuing a ride in the series. But in the meantime, Roger is assisting as an at-track coach for the former F1 star Sato.

Yasukawa started working with Takuma last month at the Kansas Road Runner Turbo 300 in his first oval race. Taku ran as high as sixth at lap 180 before his car was knocked into the front straightaway wall and out of the race.

At the Indy 500, Taku took his #5 Lotus – KVRT Honda/Dallara/Firestone entry from 31st starting spot to sixth by lap 105. Unfortunately, Sato suffered a pit mishap on lap 107 and was penalised two laps for the incident. Sato came back from 28th and finished 20th in his first Indy 500.

At Texas last weekend, Sato qualified a strong 11th but was forced into the turn two wall on lap 57 when a suspension part failed.

Yasukawa speaks to Sato in English on the radio during all on-track activities, but in the garage area, the two speak in Japanese.

"When Takuma is on the track, I can talk pretty straight forward with him in English," said Yasukawa. "But back in the garage and the truck, I can get more detailed with him in Japanese. He understands certain terms better in Japanese and he can express his views better that way too.

"We have a good relationship both on and off the track. Oval racing is not easy at first for a road racer. I hope I am helping Takuma understand the ovals better with each race. He has done a great job for his first oval track experiences."

"I am thankful to have Roger helping me on the ovals," Taku added. "His experience is valuable to me. We are working well together. He understands what I am saying about the car and assists me in learning oval track racing. The ovals are so new to me."