Ignite Game Technologies, the online gaming company focused on building a new form of auto racing game — Simraceway (http://simraceway.com/) — today announced it has signed up Dario Franchitti, the three-time IZOD IndyCar Series Champion, two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, and current Championship points leader, to work on the soon-to-be-launched title. The IndyCar great, whose career also includes spells in NASCAR and sports car racing, will be joining fellow racer – and reigning Indy 500 champion, Dan Wheldon – to guarantee the realism of vehicle physics in Simraceway. However, Franchitti’s primary focus will be to ensure the authenticity of Simraceway’s many vintage and historic cars.

Franchitti’s passion for motor racing’s heritage is evident both on and off the track. A collector of racing memorabilia, he also finds the time in his busy schedule to take part in vintage car races, including the world-renowned Goodwood Revival which takes place annually in his native United Kingdom. “I have an immense amount of respect for the drivers who came before me in this sport – and a fascination for the cars they drove,” said Franchitti. “It’s almost impossible to describe the feeling you get inside when you’re behind the wheel of an old race car but what I hope to be able to do is use my knowledge and experience to help the team at Simraceway replicate how it feels to drive.”

The announcement of the partnership between Franchitti and Simraceway comes as he moves 18 points ahead of rival Will Power in the 2011 IndyCar Series standings, after his second-place finish at the Kentucky Indy 300 led to a 30-point swing at the top. Should he maintain his lead, Franchitti, part of the dominant Chip Ganassi Racing team, will secure his third consecutive series win and fourth overall.

“Simraceway will now benefit from all the knowledge that comes with four Indy 500 wins and four – hopefully soon to be five – IndyCar Series victories,” said Ignite CEO Jonathan Haswell. “With the drivers of the caliber of Dario and Dan helping us fine-tune the physics in Simraceway, we ensure the absolute authenticity of our players’ experience.” “We all know Dario for his fantastic feats in open-wheeled cars,” continued Haswell, “but he has a rich and varied motor racing history that spans continents and car types and it’s his passion for vintage and historic cars that we particularly want to tap into.” Everybody at Simraceway wishes Dario the best of luck at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 16 when he bids to make his own piece of history with a fourth IndyCar Series title.