Champ Car president Dick Eidswick met with Indy Racing League founder Tony
George last week in Indianapolis to discuss the sad state of open wheel racing
in this country and some possible remedies
source:
speedtv.com - Robin Miller
But, according to both, not much was accomplished.
"I called Tony for a meeting and, in my opinion, we didn't get anywhere or make
any progress but he was very cordial," said Eidswick. "While we openly disagree
of how to go forward, we don't do it with any anger.
"I sense that he believes in having only one series and he's tired of the way
things are going but we have different ideas on how to approach things."
George, who said he didn't want to get into the details of their discussion, did
offer this: "So far nothing has been talked about that excites me."
And this would include Champ Car's apparent desire of a common chassis and
engine -- starting in 2007 when both series are due for news cars and motors.
Mario Andretti began pitching this common rules idea several months ago to IRL
COO Brian Barnhart and Eidswick because it would at least allow both series to
compete at the Indianapolis 500, if not other selected races.
"The technical side is the first building block," said Andretti. "And it needs
to happen quickly."
Tony Cotman, vice president of operations for Champ Car and former team manager
for Andretti/Green Racing in the IRL, thinks that plan might have a chance.