Bernoldi and Perera happy to be in IRL

Conquest Racing drivers Franck Perera and Enrique Bernoldi

Photo Courtesy IMS

Brazilian Enrique Bernoldi competed in the 2001 F-1 race at Indy, but will be back racing against some childhood competitors when he makes his first appearance at the Speedway for Conquest Racing.

"I remember watching the Indy 500 and watching Emerson (Fittipaldi) win here," he said. "This will be the fastest speed ever in my life. At Hockenheim, you reach that speed, but just for a second. On an oval, you stay over 200 miles an hour all the time. I wasn't used to it (at Homestead). It was a new sensation for me and it wasn't easy for me in the beginning.

"But I'm enjoying it even more because I'm racing with guys I raced against 15 years ago. In fact, in St. Petersburg in the rain, it was Tony (Kanaan), me and Helio (Castroneves) at one point and I thought, 'Hey, we've done this before me, Tony, Helio, Vitor (Meira), Bruno (Junqueira)."

Perera ready to take first oval experience to Indy

While IndyCar Series veteran Scott Dixon took the checkered flag at Homestead-Miami Speedway on March 29, Conquest Racing driver Franck Perera considered his 14th-place finish a "victory," given his steep oval-racing learning curve after recently joining the IndyCar Series along with other Champ Car veterans.

"Homestead was different for the rookies," Perera said. "I was able to finish second among the Champ Car drivers. It was good for the team and myself, and for the next ovals.

"Two hours and 200 laps is a lot. Now, this (Indianapolis 500) is even longer. In the IndyCars, you're completely flat and it was really difficult for me. At that speed so often and so close to other cars, those are difficult things to do. The way drivers do this in America is so much different than in Europe and I want to continue my career here."