Alex Tagliani was in Edmonton yesterday to give a hand in promoting the sale of tickets for the upcoming Rexall Edmonton Grand Prix and the veteran driver believes he is close to securing enough sponsorship which would see him return full-time to the IndyCar Series this year.
The 35-year-old is also hoping that his road back to the IndyCar Series will go through the province of Alberta as he put together a proposal to a group of companies that will benefit the whole province and the city and the race.
"It's real important that we protect the events we have in Canada ... and that means we have to give sponsors a wider platform and that's what we're trying to do."
Tagliani drove the final three races of the 2008 season for Eric Bachelart's Conquest Racing team and while he admits that a deal is likely weeks away, the Quebecer is hopeful of competing in at least 16 of the 17 events scheduled for this year, including races in Toronto and Edmonton.
The 35-year-old is also hoping that his road back to the IndyCar Series will go through the province of Alberta as he put together a proposal to a group of companies that will benefit the whole province and the city and the race.
"It's real important that we protect the events we have in Canada ... and that means we have to give sponsors a wider platform and that's what we're trying to do."
Tagliani drove the final three races of the 2008 season for Eric Bachelart's Conquest Racing team and while he admits that a deal is likely weeks away, the Quebecer is hopeful of competing in at least 16 of the 17 events scheduled for this year, including races in Toronto and Edmonton.