CHAMPCAR/CART: On the Road to Rio

FedEx Championship Series: On the Road Again (May 1, 1998) -- The FedEx Championship series is on the road again, heading to Brazil for May 10th's Rio 400, round 5 of the series. As with the ...

FedEx Championship Series: On the Road Again

(May 1, 1998) -- The FedEx Championship series is on the road again, heading to Brazil for May 10th's Rio 400, round 5 of the series. As with the Budweiser 500 last month in Motegi, Japan, a massive logistical effort is required to transport the series' equipment to it's destination.

Three FedEx MD-11's will depart Indianapolis International Airport this Sunday, carrying over $60 million worth of cargo to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a 4700-mile journey. The trip will take each aircraft over 9 hours 45 minutes, plus roughly 2 hours for a fuel stop in Caracas, Venezuala. See the chart below for more details.

The Ride To Rio Fast Facts on Transporting FedEx Championship Cars from Indianapolis to the May 10 Rio 400 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

DEPARTURES: Indianapolis International Airport, Indianapolis, Indiana Sunday, May 3 at 5:16, 10:52 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. May 4 (All times local Indianapolis- Central Standard Time) ARRIVALS: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Monday, May 4 at 6:10 a.m., 11:36 a.m. and 4:59 p.m. (All times local) PLANES: Three FedEx MD-11's

TOTAL CARGO VALUE: Over $60 Million

FLIGHT DISTANCE: 4,700 miles per plane 2,200 miles Indianapolis to Caracas, Venezuela for fuel stop 2,500 miles Caracas to Rio de Janeiro FUEL MILEAGE: 27,500 gallons per plane 12,700 gallons Indianapolis to Caracas 14,800 gallons Caracas to Rio de Janeiro

FUEL MILEAGE: FedEx MD-11- 0.17 miles per gallon FedEx Champ Car- 1.85 miles per gallon Family Car- 24.0 miles per gallon

FLIGHT TIME: 9 hours, 45 minutes plus fuel stop (Avg. 2 hours)

TOTAL RACE CARS: 54

WEIGHT PER TEAM: 8,350 pounds of cargo, plus two race cars

APPROX. GROSS PAYLOAD: 200,000 pounds per plane

CRUISING SPEED: 575 miles per hour - almost 2 = times faster than Mauricio Gugelmin's world record qualifying speed at California Speedway on 9/27/97

TYPICAL TEAM CARGO (FOR A TWO-CAR TEAM): Four assembled race cars Four race engines 16,500 pounds of equipment 260 spare gears 17 skids 14 spare sets of wheels 10 tool boxes 4 driver helmets 2 tents 2 drink poles 25 firesuits 2 pit boards 40 two-way radios 100 spare springs 300 spare decals 200 team hats 1 case Pepto Bismol 1 case Imodium A-D