Brazilian-born IndyCar drivers Tony Kanaan and Vitor Meira will compete in this year's 2011 Ironman World Championship race on October 8th in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. They will participate in one of the most challenging endurance events around, a step up from their Ironman 70.3 experience.
Kanaan became an avid triathlete while fostering the belief that being mentally and physically strong would improve his performance on the IndyCar track. A long-time spectator of the sport, Kanaan is also a 2010 Ironman 70.3 Miami and Ironman World Championship 70.3 finisher. Through his participation, Kanaan realized that the training involved for triathlon's three disciplines is unmatched by any other sport and has the potential to help him better endure the physical and mental stress that IndyCar drivers take while operating their machines at speeds of more than 220 mph.
"I am excited to take on this new challenge," said Kanaan. "The Ironman World Championship is unlike any other event in triathlon and finishing would be such an accomplishment. I've competed in hundreds of world-famous races, including the legendary Indianapolis 500 multiple times, and Kona ranks among the best of them."
Meira's interest in the sport of triathlon began back in 2001 when he participated in his first race in his native Brazil. Since then, he has competed in more than a dozen races at varying distances including the 2010 Ironman 70.3 Pucon. In addition to his triathlon resume, Meira has participated in multiple half-marathon events and the mini-marathon that opens activities for the Indianapolis 500. He competed in the 2010 Ironman World Championship 70.3 in Clearwater, Fla, but this year's ultra-distance Ironman competition is a first for Meira who drives the No. 14 ABC Supply race car in the IZOD IndyCar Series.
"I'm thrilled to be a part of this year's Ironman World Championship," said Meira. "Since I began doing triathlons all I heard about was Kona and to think that I am going to get the chance to actually compete there - well, it is hard to put into words how honored I feel."
The event falls between IndyCar's October 2 race in Kentucky and its season finale in Las Vegas on October 16. Meira says that training for and competing in triathlons has helped him become a better driver. "In triathlons, you learn a lot about your body, what it can or cannot do, how hard you can push it," said Meira. "In racing, you learn a lot about your mind; how to handle intense pressure while maintaining focus and concentration. Between the two sports, I think I have become a better race car driver physically and a better triathlete mentally."
Source: Ironman
