Indy Series drivers compete in Colombian karting event

IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights driver Sebastian Saavedra nearly stole the show in the ninth Grand Prix Easykart of Cartagena in his native Colombia on Nov. 6.

Saavedra, who teamed with 2009 Firestone Indy Lights championship runner-up James Davison, led most of the event in a close battle with Federico Montoya, younger brother of 2000 Indianapolis 500 winner Juan Pablo Montoya, who founded the race in 2002.

But Saavedra's kart suffered a mechanical issue five laps from the end of the race, allowing Montoya to pass and eventually forcing him to retire.

Two other guest drivers with ties to INDYCAR also had bad luck. Helio Castroneves retired with a blown motor, while Carmen Jorda had an incident on the track that forced her to retire from the event, which raised funds for wounded Colombian soldiers through the Tejido Humano Foundation.

E.J. Viso and Gil de Ferran also competed in the race.