Speaking of South Africans

Posted by Iannucci | 2/15/2008 | 9 comments »
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Tomas Scheckter's three-race ride with Luczo Dragon (a.k.a. The Team Run By Roger Penske's Son) is now official.

Former Vision Racing driver Tomas Scheckter will drive three races in the 2008 IndyCar Series season for Luczo Dragon Racing. The Indianapolis Star reported on Feb. 1 that the South African driver was leaning toward joining LDR.

Scheckter will drive in the Roadrunner Turbo Indy 300 at Kansas on Apr. 29, the 92nd Indianapolis 500-Mile Race on May 25, and the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma at Infineon on Aug. 24. All profits made from the three races will be donated to charity.

(MORE from Indy Racing Ravolution)
We can only hope that charity is "Tomas Scheckter's Full Season Fund."

9 comments

  1. Doug // February 15, 2008 7:04 PM  

    Perhaps a good showing in KS and at Indy will open up more opportunities? We can only hope. Tomas really does deserve a full-time.

  2. John in Speedway // February 15, 2008 7:25 PM  

    I am saying right now that I would put Tomas as a major contender for winning the 500. Briscoe started 4th and finished 4th last year, and Tomas is better on ovals than Ryan, especially at Indy. Tomas is basically running the same equipment, and has more experience, which should allow his feedback to help the team make better car adjustments. Every year I make a bet with my dad and we each pick 3 drivers. If I had to pick 3 right now, I would take Tomas, Helio, and TK.

  3. Anonymous // February 15, 2008 9:59 PM  

    Great team for Tomas with Luczo and Jay Penske--also how incredible that they give away some of the racing profits to charity...that's a new one in profesional sports--it sure seems like a trend everyteam should follow??
    Rur

  4. Anonymous // February 15, 2008 11:18 PM  

    Scheckter has been a dark horse at Indy for some time. But I think he may well be the Dark Horse this year.

    He'll get back in an IndyCar full-time eventually. I have a hunch.

  5. Anonymous // February 16, 2008 7:44 AM  

    Paint the car yellow, give it #25, get Hertz and Cummins sponsorship, and pay homage to another Penske Racing dark horse: Al Unser Sr. in the Cummins - Holset Turbo special, winner of the 1987 Indianapolis 500.

  6. Puretone Audio // February 16, 2008 8:01 AM  

    I guess I'm in the minority here...

    no driver has accomplished less with more chances than Tomas Scheckter, all the while drawing a superstar's salary...

  7. Zappatista // February 16, 2008 1:44 PM  

    Looks like it might be for charity!! Check this out...

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-M3-2002-BMW-M3-Owned-by-IRL-Driver-Tomas-Scheckter_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6131QQihZ004QQitemZ140206892014QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

  8. Rob // February 17, 2008 8:08 AM  

    I'm with Dale - I'm as disappointed at seeing Scheckter in that ride as I am at seeing Briscoe in the plum Penske seat. Neither have done anything to earn that calibre of equipment.

  9. Doug // February 17, 2008 8:37 AM  

    Tomas is a proven race winner, and Ryan finished 5th in last year's 500. They deserve their spots. In fact, Tomas deserves better. He's in a good team, but he deserves better funding. I'm sure he'll get it in time.