The idea of INDYCAR racing in China isn’t a new one; a planned Qingdao race in 2012 was canceled and earlier this year RACER.com suggested the idea could be on the table for a race in China later this year.
In a statement released Monday, Mark Miles, CEO of INDYCAR’s parent company Hulman & Co., confirmed INDYCAR’s had discussions about a potential China race - there’s also more here from Motorsport.com regarding the potential event - but that there are no decisions made as yet.
Here is the statement, also linked below via the official INDYCAR and @PaddockInsider (Verizon account) Twitter accounts:
“For many months INDYCAR has participated in discussions regarding a non-Championship event in the Fengtai District of Beijing, China. If scheduled, this race would occur in October following the conclusion of the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series season. At this point, arrangement for this event have not been finalized and a number of important issues must be resolved before such an event can be added to the schedule. INDYCAR is pleased with the amount of interest in China and the substantial effort that has been made to try to make this proposed event a reality. We would hope to share any news on whether this event will occur by early June.”
A statement from Mark Miles on the possible #INDYCAR event in China: pic.twitter.com/As71bUXiOe
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 9, 2016