They're at it again...
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Queens, NY
They're at it again...
Surprise, surpirse, Tony and Kevin are talking again.
From Speed TV.com:
"George, Kalkhoven Confirm Merger Talks
Indy Racing League founder Tony George has publicly admitted for the first time to be in talks with Champ Car co-owner Kevin Kalkhoven regarding the possibility of an open-wheel merger.
In an interview to the L.A. Times, George stated: "It's fair to say we would both like to see [a merger]. I'm one of many people who believe that open-wheel racing would be better served by a unified IRL and Champ Car."
Kalkhoven confirmed the talks, outlining that any merger would have to be a "fresh start", likely with brand-new equipment for both series.
"We're trying to develop a plan," the Times quoted him as saying. "It has to be a fresh start. In other words, we can't have one side using the other side's equipment or anything like that, because it would give one side an advantage."
Other than the equipment situation, other complicated issues include merging both series' calendars (the sum of which would today account to an unviable 29 races) and TV contracts.
"There is a lot of hair on this cat
From Speed TV.com:
"George, Kalkhoven Confirm Merger Talks
Indy Racing League founder Tony George has publicly admitted for the first time to be in talks with Champ Car co-owner Kevin Kalkhoven regarding the possibility of an open-wheel merger.
In an interview to the L.A. Times, George stated: "It's fair to say we would both like to see [a merger]. I'm one of many people who believe that open-wheel racing would be better served by a unified IRL and Champ Car."
Kalkhoven confirmed the talks, outlining that any merger would have to be a "fresh start", likely with brand-new equipment for both series.
"We're trying to develop a plan," the Times quoted him as saying. "It has to be a fresh start. In other words, we can't have one side using the other side's equipment or anything like that, because it would give one side an advantage."
Other than the equipment situation, other complicated issues include merging both series' calendars (the sum of which would today account to an unviable 29 races) and TV contracts.
"There is a lot of hair on this cat
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From: Honolulu
Well if they want to do it with new equipment, they better get on the ball since the new Champcar chassis is aleady set. I say use this chassis, and the IRL n/a engines. Honda can race as Honda, and Cosworth (kalkovin) can be Ford, Mazda, Jag, or whatever partner wants to badge it (just no Hyundai please).
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Redondo Beach
Update (from SpeedTV.com) - looks like it's Honda to the rescue! 
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George: "We're Actively Pursuing Reunification."
Written by: Jeff Olson
Homestead, Fla.
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George: "We're Actively Pursuing Reunification."
Written by: Jeff Olson
Homestead, Fla.
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From: Honolulu
Originally Posted by twohoos,Mar 24 2006, 01:49 PM
"As I've told both sides, we would like to be the lubricant that helps this all come together," said Robert Clarke, president of Honda Performance Development.
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From: Queens, NY
Originally Posted by Colin,Mar 24 2006, 08:37 PM
Maybe this was what Clarke was doing in Las Vegas when he met with kalkoven......forming the battle plan.
Warren
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From: Honolulu
Originally Posted by WarrenW,Mar 24 2006, 04:02 PM
Interesting. I didn't know they met in Vegas. When was this?
Warren
Warren
http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/champcar/19815/