From the Indy Racing League OfficesINDIANAPOLIS, Friday, Feb. 22, 2008 - Owners of Champ Car and the Indy Racing League completed an agreement in principle Friday that will unify the sport for 2008. Gerald Forsythe, co-owner of Champ Car, signed an agreement in principle in Chicago, joining his partner Kevin Kalkhoven and Indy Racing League founder and CEO Tony George who had signed late Thursday in Indianapolis. Full details of the agreement, and the revised 2008 schedule, will be made public at a press conference at next week’s Homestead test.
Rahal-Letterman Racing3-time IndyCar champion and Rahal Letterman Racing co-owner Bobby Rahal concerning the announcement concerning a merger of American open-wheel racing. "This is a great day for open-wheel racing and one that I and my Rahal Letterman Racing team have looked forward to for a long time. I applaud all of those that made this possible, but want to especially recognize all of those that made sacrifices and concessions to secure the future of open-wheel racing. I truly believe that this is the first step toward restoring open-wheel racing and the Indianapolis 500 to not only where it once was, but beyond."
Andretti Green Media Announcement, Michael Andretti, chairman, Andretti Green Racing:"This is a huge day for the IndyCar Series and for our sport as a whole, for sure. Over the years, whether I was in the role of driver, team owner or promoter, I have always wanted a unified sport. That has been my only goal throughout this entire process and I applaud everyone who played a role in making this happen. So many people have worked tirelessly, both publicly and behind the scenes, to get this done. Everyone can now focus on taking the IndyCar Series to new heights for the good of our sport and everyone involved in it."
WALKER RACING EMBRACES OPEN WHEEL UNIFICATION“It’s back to the future,” stated Derrick Walker, Walker Racing owner. “It’s been a long road, but it has finally come together. From a fan and sports business point of view, one open wheel racing series in the United States has long been recognized as what fans and sponsors want to have both series together and I’m happy to say that Walker Racing embraces the decision. I also want to give a special thanks to all the past and present CART/Champ Car officials for all their hard work in giving us some great seasons.”
A casualty of the announcement is that the Grand Prix of Toronto (nee the Molson Indy), which has been a fixture on the Toronto waterfront each year since 1986, will be cancelled. The last-minute merger means Toronto’s race can’t be inserted into the IRL’s schedule. But sources say the event may return in 2009.info courtesy of Champ car gossip
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