SEBRING, Fla. -- Gerry Hughes, joining Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing at the Open Test at Sebring International Raceway as race engineer, is a reunion with team co-owner Bobby Rahal, technical director Jay O'Connell and driver Takuma Sato.

Hughes has 24 years of trackside engineering experience in series such as Formula One, GP2, A1GP, British Touring Cars, Formula 3 and Opel Lotus.

"Gerry worked for me when I was at Jaguar Formula One and he worked with (O'Connell) as well," Rahal said. "I have known Gerry since 2000 and we have always stayed in touch. He went on to bigger and better things and was involved with Takuma at Super Aguri in F1, and when Honda stopped that program they were a bit adrift. He was looking at making the move to come to the United States long term and so we talked.

"It is particularly good timing because since he had worked with Takuma there was a comfort level there and a level of communication that usually takes time to build up between two people. For Takuma it's good to have someone he is familiar with and had confidence in. He has a lot of experience in a lot of different formulas and that will be of value to us as a team."

Join charity golf tournament in St. Petersburg
Spots are open for the inaugural IZOD INDYCAR Golf Invitational on March 22 at the Vinoy Golf Club in St. Petersburg, Fla., featuring pairings with IZOD IndyCar Series drivers and other celebrities.

The tournament, with proceeds benefiting the Dan Wheldon Family Trust, the Bayfront Baby Place and the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation, is being held in conjunction with the IZOD IndyCar Series' season-opening Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

For more information, can contact Troy Hanson at 310-497-2469 or by email at troyh@worldmedia-la.com.

Three big concerts highlight off-track entertainment at Belle Isle
A mix of musical talent will be featured June 1-3 as part of the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix.

Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels (6:30 p.m. June 1), the B-52s (7:15 p.m. June 2) and Ronnie Dunn (2 p.m. June 3) will perform on the MotorCity Casino Hotel Entertainment Stage in the Meijer Family Fun Zone. The concerts are free for race event ticket holders.

“We are very excited to partner with MotorCity Casino Hotel to bring these terrific musical acts to the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix,” event chairman Bud Denker said. “We know we’ll have exciting action on the racetrack the first weekend of June, and with these great bands offering something for everyone it’s sure to be great time away from the track as well.”

Local bands and entertainment will be featured on the MotorCity Casino Hotel Entertainment Stage all weekend. Visit www.DetroitGP.com or call 866-464-PRIX for tickets and information.