Conner Getting Into Racing on Dry Land

Dennis Conner will add Indy car racing to his America’s Cup interests this season as an associate of Rick Cole and Jim Hayhoe, owners of a Lola-Chevy driven by Jim Vasser of San Francisco, The Times learned Wednesday.

Vasser, 26, winner of six of 13 Toyota Formula Atlantic races last year, has been testing at Phoenix and probably will make his Indy car debut April 5 at Phoenix International Raceway. The car was purchased from Galles-Kraco Racing and was driven last year by Bobby Rahal.

“We are hammering out final details (of Conner’s involvement) and expect to release further information in March,” said Cole, a North Hollywood auction house owner and collector car authority.