Wheldon funeral announced

The funeral of British IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon will be held in Florida on Saturday, series organisers have confirmed.

Buckinghamshire-born Wheldon, a former IndyCar champion and two-time Indy 500 race winner, was killed on Sunday in a 15-car pile-up at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

The 33-year-old's Dallara Honda was sent flying into a trackside fence on lap 11 of the race, causing what IndyCar chief executive Randy Bernard said were "unsurvivable injuries".

Saturday's funeral will be held in Wheldon's adopted home town of St Petersburg, where he resided with his wife, Susie, and two young children. Susie Wheldon invited the local community to attend the service in a statement on www.indycar.com.

"Although the last few days have been unbearable for our family, the overwhelming love and support we have received are rays of sunshine during these dark days," she said.

"The outpouring of sympathy and condolences has been so comforting, and I want to thank everyone for their kind notes, letters, gifts and flowers.

"Dan touched the lives of many people, and I would like to invite those citizens in our community who knew and loved my husband to attend his funeral service.

"Though we won't be able to fit everyone inside, I know that Dan would have wanted the community to share in the celebration of his life and to grieve his passing.

"Thank you again. I am forever grateful for your kindness."

IndyCar organisers also confirmed there will be a public memorial service to celebrate the life of Wheldon on Sunday in Indianapolis, the scene of his greatest triumphs as a racing driver.