May 16, 2008
High-speed merge
Champ Car, Indy Racing League reach agreement on unification
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After 12 years of rivalry that confused fans, promoted apathy and nearly buried the sport, the Champ Car World Series has accepted an agreement to cease operations, giving Indy Racing League the opportunity to rebuild open-wheel's lost prestige.
The unification deal, which has been in the works for about two weeks, was announced yesterday.
"I'm glad that they were able to get it done," said A.J. Foyt, the first four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500. "It'll eliminate the confusion for the race fans and the sponsors because there'll be just one type of car and one type of motor and everyone will be running together. May the best team win."
Numerous attempts to merge the series have failed, mostly over the issue of who would retain control. This time, though, all the hurdles were cleared as Indy Racing League founder and chief executive Tony George worked together with principal Champ Car co-owners Kevin Kalkhoven and Gerald Forsythe to reach an agreement.
The latest talks began after George offered any Champ Car team that moved to the IRL in 2008 free Honda engine lease programs, free Dallara chassis and the same $1.2 million incentive program offered to its own teams.
Several Champ Car teams are not expected to take George's offer because, even with the engines, cars and incentives, it would take an additional $2 million or more to compete in the IRL. The teams that don't have the sponsorship or backing to continue will either close down or move to sports car racing, which is less costly.
At least six Champ Car teams, with up to 10 cars, were believed ready to make the move in time to race in the IRL's season opener March 29 in Homestead, Fla.
That could give the IRL's IndyCar Series a field of up to 26 cars, a considerable improvement over the numbers of entries in both series in recent years.
The agreement is also expected to add up to three Champ Car events to the IRL's original 16-race schedule for 2008.
Copyright © 2008, The Baltimore Sun
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