The rift between America's two open-wheel racing series may not be any
narrower following the recent demise of CART and the wrangling over the future
of the Champ Car World Series, but the future may yet hold some hope of
unification
source:
crash.net
According to sportsbusiness.com, Paul Gentilozzi, one of the leading
figures in the Open Wheel Racing Series operation planning to take charge of the
Champ Car World Series, has admitted that he would like to see a single series
in the US, and would work towards finding common ground with the rival Indy
Racing League.
To that end, the Rocketsports team owner has revealed that he has held initial
talks with IRL boss Tony George, although he stopped short of confirming that a
plan for the future had been outlined.
"I think we share a vision for open-wheel racing," Gentilozzi said at the LA
Motor Show, "Tony's philosophy is a little different to mine - I like a mix of
oval and road courses, he prefers ovals - but we've been talking, and that's
always good."
Gentilozzi also said that George would not be making a counter bid for CART's
assets - which are under offer from OWRS, and could be handed over at the end of
the month.
The report contradicts a similar story that appeared in Mexico this week, and
claimed that talks were already well advanced to merge Champs Cars and the IRL
as early as this year - something that would more than likely prove logistically
impossible. The story, published by a national press agency, reported that
Gentilozzi had agreed a provisional calendar of 20 races, featuring ten apiece
from each series.