IndyCar will offer "a taste of Indy, the beach, fashion, food and fun" as IZOD and Apex-Brasil, in partnership with the Indy Racing League, kick off IndyCar Series Championship Week with special events Oct. 2-3 in Miami that are free and open to the public.

On Oct. 2, fans can mingle with IndyCar Series drivers Ryan Hunter-Reay, Tony Kanaan, Raphael Matos, Vitor Meira and Mario Moraes from 6-7 p.m. at Macy's at The Falls, located at 8888 SW 136th St. at U.S. 1 in Miami. Or get an autograph from Al Unser Jr. and Arie Luyendyk, who represent four Indianapolis 500 victories, and take a ride in the IndyCar Series street-legal two-seater (5-8 p.m.).

Additionally, the first 150 customers to make an IZOD apparel purchase of $50 or more will receive a complimentary IZOD/INDY baseball cap and autographed driver hero card. Also, the first 25 customers to purchase $20 of IZOD/INDY merchandise will receive two complimentary tickets to race day at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The hot-selling IZOD brand this year introduced a line of sportswear commemorating and drawing upon 100 years of racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The scene shifts Oct. 3 to scenic Miami Beach and the recently opened luxury W Hotel for a full day/night of activity, including what should be a YouTube-worthy 3 p.m. beach volleyball competition between IndyCar Series drivers and lifeguards.

“Playing volleyball is great, especially when it is on the beach. That is my favorite place to be,” said HVM Racing driver and Miami resident E.J. Viso. “I'm really excited and I'm sure I will have a blast.”

Drivers will reconvene at the hotel at 6:30 p.m. for a remote water car competition – Mattel Hot Wheels cars that run on water. At 8 and 8:45 p.m. will be poolside fashion shows featuring IZOD attire and Brazilian swimwear and lingerie collections. In between, drivers will swap stories about the '09 IndyCar Series season with Michael Young moderating. The event will be capped with performances by Vince Mira, N.E.R.D. and Pharrell Williams. The W Hotel is located at 2201 Collins Ave. in Miami Beach.

The IndyCar Series championship will be decided in the Firestone Indy 300 on Oct. 10 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.