Harvey eyes IndyCar ride (Update)

If Jack Harvey can't raise enough money to buy an IndyCar ride, he will move to WEC or IMSA and get paid to drive

UPDATE For the past three years Harvey has lived and raced in America and for two of those years Harvey competed in Indy Lights, a feeder series for the world renowned IndyCar series.

Harvey went very close to lifting the title on both occasions and for two years running finished the series as vice champion.

However, to take the next step and achieve his dream of driving an IndyCar, the racer from Bassingham needs money – and lots of it.

“This year has been incredibly frustrating for me and my team," said Harvey. "It has been so hard to be so close to the racing scene, but yet not driving a racing car.

“I would say it's been the worst year of my racing career, but you have to acknowledge that, dig in and go again, which is what we have done.

“It's been incredibly hard work, but we believe we are very close to raising an amount of money which could secure one of the deals which are on the table.

“It is not going to mean a complete season, because that is just out of our reach financially. But at least it might get us a drive in a limited program, perhaps one which would include driving in the Indianapolis 500.

“We have put together between $400,000 and $600,000 and a figure somewhere near the higher end should be enough to make a deal happen.

“To secure a drive for the whole season, we would have to raise something like $3,000,000. But we believe that if I can get even a limited program with a small number of IndyCar race meetings, it gives me a chance to attract some further interest.

“It's the same old story, once I get in a car I may be able to attract a bit more interest. It is coming together, never quite quickly enough for me, but it is coming together."

After two years of leading the field in Indy Lights, Harvey has not been taking it easy. The former British Formula 3 champion has been passing on his skills to young drivers as an Indy Lights driver coach.

He has also been working alongside his management team in their never-ending task of trying to raise the money he needs to get back into a driving seat.

“It's not an easy job at all, I have found it incredibly difficult," admitted Harvey. “It's not natural for me to go around asking for money, especially when it's motor racing because the amounts are so huge.

“We are not talking a few hundred here and there, we are talking thousands. Brexit didn't help because it caused a bit of anxiety and the exchange rate over here hasn't helped either.

“But we have worked very hard with companies out here and we are very close now to sealing a deal to at least get me back into a racing car."

Harvey had hoped to drive in the 2016 running of the Indy 500. However, money he and his team had raised in sponsorship to make that happen was not available in time.

COMMENT: Talent may not be enough for Lincolnshire racing driver Jack Harvey

“We had agreed a deal with a team to drive in the race, but unfortunately the money was not in our hands at the time we needed it," explained the 23-year-old.

“We had it in the form of promises and pledges and it wasn't disposable to us at the time so the opportunity slipped away."

While IndyCar is Harvey's preference, it may not be his only option, with a return to a European series also a possibility.

“We have had a couple of conversations with teams in Europe," he said. "But the problem is if I were to go to a sports car series I would need to be paid. So the focus for the next few weeks at least has to be Indy Car and making sure I have an opportunity to drive in the new year." Lincolnshirelive

01/22/16 Jack Harvey remains in contention for an IndyCar drive this year as he looks to advance talks with two teams.