REPORT: IRL-Champ Car unification a done deal
While it has yet to be confirmed, emerging reports indicate that the decade-long split in American open-wheel racing could be drawing to a close after Champ Car and IRL organizers reportedly came to a deal Monday night. The deal would involve most of the big teams from the Champ Car World Series moving over to the Indy Racing League, with the latter adopting a number of Champ Car races into its calendar. Paul Tracy – who became the winningest driver in Champ Car with Sebastien Bourdais' departure for F1 – is set to take part in the IRL's first test session of the season at Homestead, Florida eight days from now, while Champ Car teams were advised to cease development on their Panoz chassis in anticipation of delivery of their new IRL cars.
Newman/Haas/Lanigan, PKV, Forsythe, Walker and Conquest are all expected to take advantage of Indy chief Tony George's offer for free cars and a $1.2m stipend to join the series, while several other teams, including Minardi Team USA, have reportedly yet to decide. The addition of the Champ Car teams to the 16 cars already in the IRL would make it the biggest field in years.
The conflict between the Champ Car race at Long Beach and the IRL event at Motegi, Japan, is reportedly being resolved, with Motegi possibly moving dates. Tony George, the prefect of IRL, is said to be considering adding several other Champ Car events – including Edmonton, Canada, and Surfer's Paradise, Australia – to bring the combined 2008 schedule up to 19 races, with other Champ Car venues such as Toronto and Mexico City under consideration for 2009. An official announcement could come as early as tomorrow when Champ Car chief Kevin Kalkhoven returns from England, and if confirmed, the move could stand to bring open-wheel racing in America back to the pinnacle.
[Sources: SpeedTV.com via Autosport and Winding Road]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
zach 11:48AM (2/19/2008)
Man, i hope this is true. Between this and the expanding ALMS series it might once again be possible to be a fan of major racing in the US other than NASCAR
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Luis 12:23PM (2/19/2008)
This is a case of proceeding with cautious optimism.
Frank 11:36PM (2/23/2008)
This is all very good unless you are in one of the cities that will most likely never see either of these groups again like Portland, Houston, Cleveland, etc.
L.Wood 11:56AM (2/19/2008)
Good news! I used to be a really big fan of Indy Car racing until the split took place. Since the split I have become a really big non-fan. I even skipped the Indy 500 most years. What we also need is an influx of home grown drivers. Drivers make the series, and more American drivers can re-make this series into something that we can get excited about once again.
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Throwback 12:00PM (2/19/2008)
Finally, hopefullly this will lead to a better TV deal.
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arnie 12:03PM (2/19/2008)
What's going to happen to Road America? Right now it conflicts with the Kentucky race. Will it be changed or will the IRL shoot its self in the foot by ignoring one of the finest natural road courses in the world?
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Jared 5:21PM (2/19/2008)
My thoughts exactly. It's a great course and the closest major track to me. I've been to the Champ Car race there the last few years and it was amazing. With teams from more teams and more promotion, I can only imagine it being one of the best races of the year.
Robert Langford 9:00PM (2/21/2008)
IF ths two series unify, it will be up to all open wheel racing fans to aggressively champion our favorite CCWS courses, including Elkhart. With enough fan input, even Tony George might listen.
Sam 12:14PM (2/19/2008)
Finally! I grew up in Indy in the 80s and 90s. My sports heroes were not baseball or football stars, they were drivers like Mears, Sullivan, Rahal and Unser Jr. My heart broke when the league split. I am so happy to see it come back together. Hopefully the dark days are over.
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Brill 12:40PM (2/19/2008)
+1
also growing up watching the indy 500 all the time is what i remember, but sometime after the split i just stopped for a long time. i finally went back to the 500 a few years ago, and really enjoyed myself.
jamey 12:14PM (2/19/2008)
Hope fully now the two combined series will be enough to attract some good engine and chassis competition.
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celeritas 4:53PM (2/19/2008)
I agree that those extra aspects of competition are great but the article says that the Champ Car teams are being offered free cars. Does that mean that everyone will be using IRL-spec chassis, Honda motors and Firestone tires? Also, IRL uses ethanol for fuel, I don't know what the fuel regs are for CCWS.
cowboy bob 12:18PM (2/19/2008)
It's about time they realized what they have done to the popularity of this sport since the split. The whole thing should never have happened. It will take years to repair the damage and get back to where they were in terms of fan support and growth. NASCAR riches have blown past in the meantime.
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Osprey 12:26PM (2/19/2008)
I am soooo happy. I cant wait for May.
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tankd0g 12:51PM (2/19/2008)
Will we finally get to see Katherine Legge trounce Danica Patrick on a variety of courses?
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Velocity 12:55PM (2/19/2008)
Unfortunately, probably not going to see that match up anytime soon. Looks like Katherine is going back to the other side of the pond to drive for Audi in the DTM series.
Just a rumor still, but is probably what will happen.
Jared 12:56PM (2/19/2008)
It's too late. The split effectively killed open-wheel racing in the US. I haven't watch it since.
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Scott 1:36PM (2/19/2008)
It's about effing time. I hope this works out.
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bobble 1:24PM (2/19/2008)
I was fortunate enough to attend an Indy car race before the split. After the split both series sucked and just in the past couple of years has Champ Car reemerged. They are significantly better than the IRL right now. This merger is horrific. Its a victory for Tony George, the sole person who created this entire mess. I'd prefer to let the IRL die, and heck, let the Indy 500 die too. Maybe Tony George will follow suit.
If I'm gonna watch oval racing I'm gonna watch NASCAR. They put on a much better show. Champ Car is awesome right now, I'd hate to see the series ruined again.
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ejs1765 10:28AM (2/27/2008)
I take offense to your coment about the Indy 500. The Indy 500 is the cornerstone of american racing. Although the split was a dagger in the heart of open wheel racing The Indy 500 was its savior. You are the reason Nascar has become so popular. Please go watch NAP car while the rest of us celibrate the unification