As previously mentioned, conversations between Kevin Kalkhoven and “Ronnie” (Tony) George have cooled considerably regarding the two Open Wheel stalwarts “secret talks” last summer towards an impending Champ Car-IRL merger…
In a previous interview wit the IRL’sPresident Brian Barnhart: Barnhart has publicly stated that although he thinks Kevin & Tony are still talking to each other, they’re talks have diminished since they both have realized how difficult a possible merger would be…
Barnhart also went on to discuss the conjecture over lack of entrants for the upcoming IRL season, saying he’s not concerned about only having 16 cars at the moment. Barnhart expects 2-4 more cars to show up on the grid prior to the Homestead season opener next March…
Rumours of Adrian Fernandez’s IRL team’s demise appear to be premature. Speculation suggests that Fernandez is close to finalizing a multi-year deal to run P.J. Chesson in a single car effort beginning next season…
There have also been reports that Larry Cahill will campaign a two car team next season as part of his efforts to sanction a new event in Missouri in 2007…
The IRL will switch from Methanol to Ethanol in 2007, becoming the very first racing series to run on 100% Ethanol as its fuel source. Interestingly the IRL has allowed Honda to revert back to equipping all of the teams with 3.5 liters naturally aspirated engines vs. the 3.0 liter units run previously. This is due to the loss of horsepower upon converting to Ethanol…
