Grapevine: Zanardi to Race in Touring Cars Next Season

Italian Alex Zanardi, who lost both his legs in a driving accident two years ago, is to race in the European Touring Car championship next season.

"It is 99 percent sure that in 2004 I will drive in the Touring Car championship with BMW Italia using a vehicle of the Ravaglia team," Zanardi told Gazzetta dello Sport at the Bologna Motor Show on Wednesday.

Zanardi raced in a BMW in the final race last season at Monza in Italy, finishing seventh in a specially adapted vehicle.

"It hasn't been easy because there wasn't a plan for this and it was practically born after my return at Monza. It has been done in a short space of time and a third car has been found for me," he said.

"We are almost ready and on Monday or Tuesday I should be testing in Valencia."

The Italian lost both his legs and two litres of blood in a high speed crash in a CART race at the Lausitzring in September, 2001. The 37-year-old Zanardi said he had turned down an offer to race in the Indianapolis 500.

"I really think that my career at that level is over," he said.