The focus for SAFEisFAST.com will revert to open-wheel racing for the next couple of weeks as IZOD IndyCar Series star and fan favorite Tony Kanaan takes the helm as the latest in a series of top-line professionals to answer questions in the website's “Ask A Pro” section.
Questions for Kanaan are being accepted now via www.SAFEisFAST.com. His answers will be posted during the week commencing Monday, Feb.11.
Kanaan, 38, shares a commonality with our previous Online Instructor, Joey Hand, in that he, too, overcame humble beginnings to reach the pinnacle of his profession. Originally from Salvador, Brazil, Kanaan began karting at age 8 and almost immediately marked himself as a potential star of the future. After winning six championships – often trading duties as a mechanic and driver coach to pay for seat time – Kanaan graduated into Formula Ford and then Formula Chevrolet in his native Brazil before setting his sights on Europe.
He settled in Italy (despite barely speaking the language) and frequently slept in the team's race shop as he moved up through the Formula Opel Euroseries to the Italian Formula Alfa-Boxer Championship, which he won in 1994, and then Formula 3.
Kanaan's big break came in 1996, when he won a shootout to join Steve Horne's Tasman Motorsports Group team in the Firestone Indy Lights Championship. He finished second in his rookie season, won the title one year later and then graduated to the top level in 1998, scooping Rookie of the Year honors. Since then he has competed in 257 IndyCar-level races, winning 15 times and claiming 15 poles. He won the IZOD IndyCar Series championship in 2004, for Andretti Green Racing, and in 2013 will remain with KV Racing Technology for the third successive year.
Kanaan won the LMP2 class in his sports car debut at the 2007 Twelve Hours of Sebring, and last weekend contested his second Rolex 24 at Daytona.
“I love being able to connect with the fans, that's why I'm so active on social media like Twitter and Instagram,” said Kanaan. “So there's nothing more natural than to accept this invitation to be part of the SAFEisFAST.com group and be able to answer some tech and general questions for my fans.”
Launched and administered by the Road Racing Drivers' Club, led by President Bobby Rahal, SAFEisFAST.com is a free online resource offering instructional video tutorials on safety, fitness, mental skills, race craft, career development, sponsorship, marketing and more to assist the careers of drivers in all forms of racing. Kanaan will join an accomplished group of professionals who have served as Online Instructors, including Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button, two-time Le Mans winner Alexander Wurz and Indianapolis 500 champions Dario Franchitti and Gil de Ferran, as well as fitness guru Jim Leo and mental preparation expert Dr. Jacques Dallaire. Since its launch, there have been over a quarter of a million views of the online tutorials from visitors representing more than 130 countries.