Panic over: Rio race is back on track

The financially-plagued event was put on hold by the newly-elected Mayor of Rio, Cesar Maia, who placed all the city's contracts under suspension pending an overall review of where its money is being spent. But the Governor of Rio de Janeiro State, Anthony Garotinho, confirmed that his government will underwrite the Rio 200 event to the tune of over £1.3 million, after meeting with event organiser Emerson Fittipaldi.

"This race is very important for the image of our state and we will not let this race be cancelled," said Garotinho. "It is our duty to make this race happen".

This year, the event switches from the oval circuit to the road course, which is named after multiple F1 champion Nelson Piquet and holds the Brazilian 500cc motorbike Grand Prix. The FedEx Champ Car series currently has ten Brazilian drivers entered, including reigning champion Gil de Ferran, and is considered a highly important event by CART's marketing staff.

The event will take place as scheduled on March 25 and will be round two of the series.