| | HOUSTON -- Hopes for a possible unification of the Indy Racing League and Championship Auto Racing Teams open-wheel series were all but dead Sunday following a statement by IRL founder Tony George.
After months of negotiations, George said the IRL would "continue to move forward under current rules and regulations that are in effect through the 2004 season."
George said he sees no reason to unite his all-oval series, which has struggled for a major sponsorship since its formation in 1996, with 21-year-old CART.
"In recent months, there has been much discussion and debate about the future direction of open-wheel racing, specifically about a series of discussions that have been conducted between representatives of CART and the Indy Racing League," he said.
"While we will continue to communicate as open-wheel racing
organizations, it is important to clarify that both of our
organizations are moving forward with our schedules for the 2000
season and beyond.
"Speaking for the Indy Racing League, we are continuing to plan for race dates and sponsorships for the future. Our engine specifications through the 2004 season were announced in November 1998, new chassis will be ready this November, our new 3.5-liter engine is already being tested, and we are going forward.
"The Indy Racing League will continue to operate as an independent body and will not be merging or otherwise unifying with CART."
CART team owners Barry Green, Bobby Rahal and Derrick Walker, as well as CART president and CEO Andrew Craig, have met with George several times since March to try and unite the two series. Green said George's current stance was another step backward for open-wheel racing.
"I guess negotiations have come to a screaming halt," Green said Sunday in Houston, where his team finished 1-2 in a CART street race. "I think Tony is confused about what he wants.
"It's very disappointing. I told Tony in one of our early
meetings that we owe it to open-wheel racing to put this thing
together. A few weeks ago, it looked like we had this worked out. I
don't know what happened, but the only way I'd do this again is if
you convince me he's really interested."
The IRL has 11 races at eight tracks, all ovals, this year,
while CART has a 20-race schedule divided among ovals, road courses
and temporary street circuits.
CART, which hasn't competed in the Indianapolis 500 since 1995,
has been well-funded by sponsors and draws well at road and street
circuits, but it has watched most of its oval-track crowds steadily
diminish.
Most of the IRL's events have been poorly attended, with the
Indy 500, which draws about 400,000 spectators, a major exception.
But George, who also is president of the Indianapolis Motor
Speedway, said that doesn't warrant the compromises that CART has
suggested.
"We're not the ones that feel an urgency to get back
together," said George, who was attending this weekend's IRL's
race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. "They're the ones who need
Indy."
Craig said, "CART initiated contact with Tony George and with
representatives of the IRL last March and has led the process since
in an attempt to unify the sport for the benefit of the fans. We
regard this as time well spent.
"Looking to the future, CART enjoys the benefit of being the
clear market leader in open-wheel racing in North America. ... It
is from this leadership position that we will grow the sport, with
our focus being clearly set on how we compare and perform relative
to the overall market for sports entertainment properties."
A major obstacle dividing the two groups is the different
engines they use. The IRL runs normally aspirated engines produced
by Oldsmobile and Nissan, and has a cheaper fixed price on cars
than CART, which uses turbocharged engines and cars that are three
times more expensive.
General Motors has won every IRL race since 1997 with its
Oldsmobile Aurora engine. | |
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