On Friday, February 22nd, 2008, after a 12 year divorce, Champ Car and the Indy Racing League decided to unite for the betterment of the sport.The Official Press Conference took place on Wednesday, February 27, 2008, at Homestead Speedway.
Here are some notes from the newser.
Tony George, CEO and founder of the Indy Racing League.
"This is all about looking forward. At the risk of taking a glance back, it was just last fall on the anniversary of my grandfather's death that I was thinking to myself that it really had been 30 years since the sport of open-wheel racing had been truly unified." He also stated, "Our whole racing community is excited and energized about unification and everybody is working hard toward the season opener at Homestead-Miami Speedway March 29."
Kevin Kalkhoven, co-owner of the Champ Car World Series and KV Racing team.
"I'm thrilled we now have a unified open wheel racing series that will feature great drivers, a diversity of world-class venues and numerous top-notch teams, I applaud Tony George for his commitment to the sport, and join him in now focusing solely on the future of open wheel racing in North America. I'm eager for our team to race this season, and certainly will do all that I can to help advance our sport in the short- and long-term."UNIFICATION ELEMENTS
Champ Car teams committing to the IndyCar Series and demonstrating the ability to fund operating budgets will be provided:
*One-year Honda basic engine lease
*Two Dallara chassis from a pool of new and used cars to the extent of the pool available for up to two seasons
*$1.2 million per car from the IndyCar TEAM program
*At least two race venues from the Champ Car World Series schedule will be added to the IndyCar Series schedule in 2008 if the parties reach agreement.
Discussions are proceeding to add events in Edmonton, Canada and Surfers Paradise, Australia to this year's current 16-race schedule.
*The historic Grand Prix of Long Beach Champ Car race finale will be run the same weekend as the already scheduled IndyCar Series race at Twin Ring Motegi in Motegi, Japan. The 2008 Grand Prix of Long Beach will be Champ Car's final race. Champ Car will promote the race as its "Finale."
Champ Car will conduct the race and the IndyCar Series will require any teams taking advantage of the incentives offered by the Indy Car Series to compete at Long Beach. Since these teams will be missing the Motegi race, they will be awarded points and prize money as if they were competing at Motegi.
Beginning in 2009, the Grand Prix of Long Beach will be part of the IndyCar Series schedule.
*IndyCar Series officials developed an assistance program that assigned an IndyCar Series team to work directly with a Champ Car World Series team (i.e. Rahal Letterman Racing will work with Newman/Haas/Lanigan.)
*In the agreement in principle, the IndyCar Series will purchase various non-tangible assets such as intellectual property and historical records from Champ Car. In addition, the IndyCar Series will purchase the Champ Car Medical transporter.
*As the 2009 schedule is prepared, the IndyCar Series intends to review all recent Champ Car and current IndyCar Series races, as well as other opportunities to produce the most viable schedule of short ovals, super speedways, street courses and road courses that will be of interest to fans, promoters, sponsors and racers.
some pictures courtesy of http://auto-racing.speedtv.com, info courtesy of The New United IRL (facebook)
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