Swiss Miss

Because if you're a girl and you have a sponsor then we have a ride waiting for you.

Cyndie Allemann, a 21-year-old Swiss born racer who competed in the Formula 3 Euro Series last year, is the new driver for Cape Coral-based American Spirit Racing.

She’ll compete in the 2008 Indy Pro Series, the developmental circuit for the Indy Racing League, which features such stars as Marco Andretti, Helio Castroneves and Danica Patrick.

She raced 10 years in karts, winning Swiss and European championships. The past three years she has raced the formula cars at major racing venues in Europe. Her best finish was 10th last season in Formula 3.

Most of her experience is on road courses. She’s raced on one oval in her life during an event in Germany. That may be her biggest adjustment since eight of the 16 Indy Pro Series races are on the fast tracks, including the first event March 29 at Homestead.

“Indy Pro will be a lot quicker,” said Allemann, knowing she will be hitting straightway speeds of well about 220 mph on the ovals, about 70 mph quicker than what she is used to. “The big thing for me will be the (lack of) downforce on the track.”

(MORE from the News-Press)

I'd say "Welcome" in her native tongue but given that Switzerland has like four offical languages I'm hold off on that. And although she may not be quite hitting 220 mph in an Indy Pro car, the lack of oval experience is a definite red flag. It's too early to pass judgement, but we certainly don't need a Milka Duno in the IPS this year.

UPDATE: IndyCar.com has their own version of the story along with a MUCH more flattering photo.