KV Racing signs Mario Moraes
Moraes, a 20-year-old native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, will be contesting his second IndyCar season. Last year he drove for Dale Coyne Racing, and despite competing on all 16 IndyCar tracks for the first time, earned three top-10 finishes with a best showing of seventh at Watkins Glen (10th at Nashville and Infineon Raceway) and a best starting position of 10th at Edmonton. Moraes led his first career IndyCar laps at the Indianapolis 500.
“We are very excited to have Mario join our team," said KVRT co-owner Jimmy Vasser. “Mario is young and extremely talented. He impressed us with his performances on both ovals and road/street circuits last year. We look forward to watching him grow and are confident he will be very competitive during the 2009 season."
Moraes began his racing career in go-karts in his native Brazil. In 2004, he moved up to cars competing in Formula TR 1600 recording three wins and seven podiums with five poles in 11 starts. The 2005 season saw Moraes compete in South American F3 for Bassan Motorsports where he finished eighth with a podium finish and one pole. In 2006, still driving for Bassan Motorsports in South American F3, Moraes finished second in with five wins, eight podium finishes and one pole. He also competed in British F3 National Series for Carlin Motorsport in 2006 earning two wins in four starts, and competed in Masters of Formula 3. Moraes ran in the British F3 International Series for Carlin Motorsport in 2007 placing 14th with best finishes of fifth at Rockingham (England) and Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium).
Commenting on joining KV Racing Technology, Moraes said, “I want to thank Kevin Kalkhoven and Jimmy Vasser for this opportunity. I think KV Racing Technology provides me with the best opportunity to develop as a driver and advance my racing career. I am really looking forward to working with the entire KVRT organization in 2009."
Regarding the Moraes announcement, KVRT co-owner Kevin Kalkhoven said, “Today’s announcement is the first of the 2009 season for KV Racing Technology. We expect to make more over the next few weeks."