Castroneves allowed to race at Surfers

The Penske driver has been indicted on tax evasion charges, and his initial bail arrangement precluded him from leaving the United States - potentially ruling him out of the Surfers event in a fortnight's time.

But yesterday Judge William Turnoff agreed with Castroneves' legal team's argument that he was unlikely to flee the country as his life and racing career were based in America.

"You have much to lose by not complying with conditions of release," Judge Turnoff was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.

Castroneves has been accused of failing to pay income tax on $5.5 million of earnings between 1999 and 2004, an offence that carries a possible custodial sentence.

The IndyCar Series runner-up first appeared in court to hear the charges in Miami last Friday, before flying out to Road Atlanta where he won the LMP2 class in the Petit Le Mans for Penske with co-driver Ryan Briscoe.