Milka Duno, the first Latina to race in the Indianapolis 500, will travel this week to Berlin where filming is underway for the 2008 live-action movie "Speed Racer." The driver of the #23 CITGO Honda Dallara IndyCar has been set to play the role of Gearbox in the film, which is based on the classic anime series of the 1960s.
"I am so excited about the opportunity to appear in such a large movie," said Duno. "Luckily I am only taking part in some of the races this year, and when Warner Bros. invited me to take part, I asked my sponsor CITGO for their approval to change my race schedule, which they have kindly granted. I am also grateful to the IndyCar Series for allowing us to withdraw from the Kentucky event at the last minute."
The shoot schedule puts Duno back in the United States the following week. To make up for lost race track time, additional testing is being scheduled in preparation for her remaining 2007 IndyCar race schedule.
IndyCar Series VP of Marketing, Mike Ringham, said, "It is very exciting to have one of our drivers participate in such a high-profile movie. The timing of the movie's release next year, in May 2008, will hopefully get even more people excited about racing just in time for the world's biggest race, the Indianapolis 500, and we wish her well."
"Speed Racer" is a Warner Bros. Pictures presentation, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, of a Silver Pictures Production. The film is being written and directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski, creators of "The Matrix" trilogy, and produced by Joel Silver. "Speed Racer" will follow the adventures of the young race car driver Speed in his quest for glory in his thundering Mach 5. For more information about "Speed Racer," visit www.speedracerthemovie.com.
Milka Duno, a professional race car driver since 1999, has competed in several racing series including Panoz GT, American Le Mans Series and Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series. She entered the IndyCar Series in 2007 and became the first Latina to qualify and race in the Indianapolis 500. The Venezuelan, whose looks have been described as striking, resides in Miami and is also the first woman to win a major international sports car race in North America. Duno is a naval engineer by trade and holds four master's degrees, earning the last three simultaneously. She also strives to support the importance of education to children of all ages and ethnicity. For additional information on Milka Duno, visit www.milkaduno.com.
