Franchitti eyes Autosport awardposted in INDY05 | 12 | 2010

SCOTS INDYCAR ace Dario Franchitti left the haven of his snow-shrouded Perthshire home today to travel to London for the annual Autosport Awards.

The Bathgate race, who won both the Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Championships this year, is in the running for the British Competition Racing Driver of the Year Award, alongside his cousin, newly-crowned DTM champ Paul di Resta, and former F1 world champs Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton.

"It's always important to support these major British motorsport awards," Franchitti said. "I remember winning the Autosport McLaren Young Racing Driver of the Year back in 1992, and that was a major event in my early career.

"I'm also meeting up with my IndyCar Team Target boss Chip Ganassi this afternoon, plus Paul's going to be there; and it's just a great opportunity to catch up with a lot of people."

COMING SOON: Don't miss our exclusive interview with Dario and Chip.

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Jim McGill

Caption: Paul di Resta chats with cousins Dario (centre) and Marino Franchitti.