Revved up

Eight-year-old Bryson meets professional racecar driver J.R. Hilderbrand during a break in test sessions at Infineon Raceway last weekend. The youngster takes Kart driving lessons at the track, where Hilderbrand, from Sausalito, also first started racing.

Hildebrand is one of the drivers testing the new IndyCar Series car for 2012, which has been redesigned to be safer, and to result in more competitive races. Some 1.500 fans turned out to watch the test session, roam the paddock, participate in pit tours and attend Q&A sessions will all of the drivers in attendance.

“It was a great day to be at the raceway,” said the track’s Jennifer Imbimbo. “The buzz around the event makes us very excited for the IZOD IndyCar Series, which returns for the Indy Grand Prix in August.”

Photo by Scott Knight