Sato Ready To Make Oval Debut

[Mark H]

Takuma Sato is gearing up to make his first appearance on one of American motorsport's fabled ovals as he prepares for this weekend's Road Runner Turbo Indy 300 at Kansas Speedway.

 

While Taku is clearly no rookie when it comes to single-seater competition, with 90 Formula One starts to his credit and a podium appearance in 2004 USGP at Indianapolis, he has yet to compete on an oval, and will take his first steps to learning the unique discipline during a pre-race test at Kansas Speedway on Wednesday 28 April.

 

The former Jordan, BAR, Honda and Super Aguri F1 star will be under the tutelage of former CART champion - and KVRT team owner - Jimmy Vasser at the test, and will be able to call on the multiple oval track winner in Saturday's 300-mile feature race.

 

With the first four events in the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series were on the sort of road courses that allowed Taku to make his name, Vasser's assistance and KVRT's strong oval set-ups, should allow the 33-year old Japanese ace to put in a solid performance at the fast Kansas.

 

"This will be my first oval race in the #5 Lotus–KV Racing Technology car, and it's hard to know how I feel until I do my first few laps at the test on Wednesday," Taku admitted, "However, having the help of Jimmy Vasser, who has won many races on ovals, I feel comfortable and excited for this new challenge.”

 

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