Visit Orlando sponsors IndyCar

It may go by at speeds of more than 100 mph, but Visit Orlando’s “Orlando Makes Me Smile" tag line is going to another level.

The Central Florida convention, tourism and visitors bureau agency announced its first-ever sporting sponsorship that includes being on Formula racer James Jakes’ No. 18 car for the Izod IndyCar Series race in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on May 1.

Renderings of the car’s design show it sporting the Visit Orlando orange and blue colors and the tagline “Orlando Makes Me Smile" in English and Portuguese.

Brazil is one of Orlando’s major countries in terms of travel visitation, with nearly 1.2 million visitors estimated to have come to Orlando in 2010.

“James is an outstanding athlete and, as an Orlando resident, we’re honored to have him as an Orlando ambassador on this worldwide sporting stage with millions of global fans and viewers," said Gary Sain, president and CEO of Visit Orlando.

Third generation driver James Davison talks about his family racing history and future plans. James drove a car owned by his Uncle Richard in the Formula 5000 support races at Albert Park over the Grand Prix Weekend. IBJ.com