Former IndyCar team owner Andre Azzi says that he is still working hard to create a new Canadian driver development program, with the aim of returning to the IndyCar scene in 2012.
Azzi sold all assets of the FAZZT Race Team to Sam Schmidt Motorsport, which will continue to field its No. 77 Dallara-Honda in all IZOD IndyCar Series races this season with driver Alex Tagliani. Azzi says the sale enabled him to sell equipment he would have had to replace next year, while providing him with the leverage he needed to come back strong in 2012.
"Canada is known for its rich motorsports history, but to put this experience to profit, you need a strong support structure," said Azzi. "This is the task I chose to focus on this year in order to create much needed momentum for our Canadian race team and our project. I can now put everything into motion to build this solid support."
Azzi said he will devote the next eight months to securing sponsors for FAZZT, for which he continues to hold the naming rights, so it can tackle the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series.He added, however, that his plans to develop an all-Canadian driver development program can only succeed with the support of Canadian businesses and investors.