News reports continue to hint that the war between the IRL and Champ Car may be coming to an end.
TSN is reporting that a press conference could happen as soon as Thursday: "According to the Indianapolis Star, both sides are still reviewing drafts of a possible agreement which would end the bitter 12-year split between the two racing series.
"We are whittling away at the issues, but they have not been eliminated," said IRL spokesperson Fred Nation.
"We're optimistic these things can be resolved, but.. it's always possible that (someone) will decide they don't want to (unify)."
Initially when unification was first reported, a conflict between Champ Car's Long Beach race date and the IRL's Motegi, Japan event was said to be a stumbling block to a possible agreement. It now appears that hurdle has been overcome and as Nation put it, the emphasis is now on finances.
"That could be anything from cash (exchanged) to what pieces and parts are on a chassis," he tells the Star.
Nation added that preliminary plans have been made for a news conference but that won't happen until Thursday at the earliest as Champ Car co-owner Kevin Kalkhoven - who is leading the negotiations for his group - is currently out of the United States...."
"We are whittling away at the issues, but they have not been eliminated," said IRL spokesperson Fred Nation.
"We're optimistic these things can be resolved, but.. it's always possible that (someone) will decide they don't want to (unify)."
Initially when unification was first reported, a conflict between Champ Car's Long Beach race date and the IRL's Motegi, Japan event was said to be a stumbling block to a possible agreement. It now appears that hurdle has been overcome and as Nation put it, the emphasis is now on finances.
"That could be anything from cash (exchanged) to what pieces and parts are on a chassis," he tells the Star.
Nation added that preliminary plans have been made for a news conference but that won't happen until Thursday at the earliest as Champ Car co-owner Kevin Kalkhoven - who is leading the negotiations for his group - is currently out of the United States...."
Auto123.com is reporting news of another defection from Champ Car to the IRL: "Another sign that unification between the IRL and Champ Car could come in the next few days is that Champ CarWorld Series director of operations, Paul 'Ziggy' Harcus, has accepted a new position with Andretti Green Racing as team manager for its IndyCar Series operation. Harcus 'defection' to the IRL follows not long after another key Champ Car official, former race director Tony Cotman, moved in the same direction...."
The LA Times is saying that the deal is close, but not done, and that something could be announced by the end of the week: "Officials of the Indy Racing League and the Champ Car World Series said Tuesday that merger negotiations were in their final stages after years of failed attempts to reunite.An announcement could come by the end of the week, but the officials emphasized that no deal had yet been reached. "We're close, it would be hard to see this not happening," said IRL spokesman Fred Nation in Indianapolis. "But we've been down this road before..."
Finally, the Edmonton Sun has a Canadian Press story saying that the deal could be announced as early as today (Wednesday). "A merger between Champ Car and the Indy Racing League is imminent and could be announced as early as today, various reports out of Indianapolis said yesterday.
IRL boss Tony George has been in negotiation for weeks with the four owners of Champ Car toward uniting the rival open wheel racing series.
David Higdon, Champ Car vice-president of strategic development, said late yesterday there was "no agreement in place at this time," although he expects an announcement to be made soon "one way or the other" on the proposed merger..."
IRL boss Tony George has been in negotiation for weeks with the four owners of Champ Car toward uniting the rival open wheel racing series.
David Higdon, Champ Car vice-president of strategic development, said late yesterday there was "no agreement in place at this time," although he expects an announcement to be made soon "one way or the other" on the proposed merger..."
NOTE: It is widely believed that the fate of the GP of Edmonton is the final barrier to NASCAR announcing the 2008 schedule for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. Once the open wheel issue is resolved - one way or another - the NCATS schedule will likely be released soon after. Speaking of Canadian Champ Car events, the future of the Toronto race appears to be in question. Anyone interested in purchasing tickets to the race are met with a screen saying "TICKETS... coming soon." It's my understanding that tickets were previously available on the site.
UPDATE: The Online Leader in Corning, NY discusses the issues regarding the conflict between the Watkins Glen IRL vs. the GP of Toronto weekend.
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