Racing Chatter

Helio Charged with Tax Evasion
MIAMI (AP) — Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and TV "Dancing With The Stars" champion Helio Castroneves pleaded not guilty Friday to charges that he used offshore accounts to evade U.S. taxes on more than $5 million in income.
The 33-year-old race car driver, who appeared in court in handcuffs and leg chains, was ordered released on $10 million bail. His lawyer, Mark Seiden, said Castroneves would depart later in the afternoon for a weekend race in Atlanta.
"We would enter a plea of not guilty," said Seiden, standing alongside a visibly shaken and frowning Castroneves.
courtesy of http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jNn9_hsJU5vM5CaJvHSceikb2l2AD93J6QFO2
$10 million for bail and leg chains for tax evasion? Good grief, this is Helio Castroneves, not Charles Manson!PT Sues Forsythe
Paul Tracy has filed a lawsuit against former Champ Car team owner Gerald Forsythe, claiming breach of contract.
The lawsuit, filed last week in U.S. District Court in Chicago, claims Tracy is owed more than $2.3-million as per his contract at the time Forsythe Racing ceased operation in the former Champ Car series.
In the complaint, Tracy's attorney claims the racer's contract called for a $1-million buyout to be paid in the event the team ceased operation in Champ Car. Terms of Tracy's contract also show that he was to have been paid $2.25-million for the 2008 Champ Car season, plus any bonuses. However, Tracy says he's been paid for February, March and April and nothing since.
courtesy of http://www.tsn.caHamilton Involved in Shady Real Estate Deal
A deal whereby Lewis Hamilton this year invested millions of dollars in Grenada, the home of his paternal grandfather, is under investigation by the Caribbean island's government.
courtesy of http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/grenada-probes-hamilton-investment-deal/