Struggling circuits may be saved by unification

By blending the Champ Car World Series and IndyCar Series, immediate gains would be realized.

By MIKE HARRIS

ASSOCIATED PRESS

The possible unification of America’s two open-wheel racing series was in the hands of the lawyers Wednesday, working out the final details of a deal that could re-energize the struggling sport.

Rather than a merger, the proposed deal, which could be announced as soon as Friday, would see some teams from the Champ Car World Series blended into the Indy Racing League’s IndyCar Series, with immediate gains in car count and races.

“It is still not done, but still moving,” IRL spokesman Fred Nation said.

“The lawyers are still lawyering and we are still trading drafts and whittling away at the issues. We’re optimistic the issues can be resolved.”

Meanwhile, Champ Car spokesman David Higdon said series co-owner Kevin Kalkhoven, a key person in the negotiations, was still in England on family business and would not return to the U.S. until sometime late today.

Since the IRL began competing with what was then the established CART series in 1996, the two have gone head to head for drivers, teams, fans, sponsors and TV ratings, generally losing out on all counts.

Things have only gotten worse for both sides in the face of the current U.S. economic woes.

Before the proposed agreement, Champ Car was set to begin its season April 20 at Long Beach, Calif., with no more than 17 cars, while the IndyCar Series was in danger of starting its season March 29 at Homestead, Fla., with as few as 16.

With the deal apparently nearing completion, it appeared Wednesday that between six and 10 cars from the Champ Car side would take the offer from IRL founder and Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Tony George of a free Honda engine lease program, free Dallara chassis and $1.2 million in team incentives.

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.

Obviously, those who would take the deal see it as a winning proposition.

“I believe it would be a stronger series again with a lot of solid events,” said Eric Bachelart, a former open-wheel driver and now owner of Conquest Racing in the Champ Car series.

“What the IRL has is a good package, with the Indianapolis 500 and some other things that will help attract sponsors. There will be lots of cars, lots of teams. A good show.”