This is the second time Champ Car leaders have balked at discussions of a unified series after reports became public. In 2006, a media leak was blamed for ending negotiations.
“Once again, as has happened previously in the past four years, somebody has leaked a story to the press, and the press has turned it into a tornado,” Kalkhoven told the
Indianapolis Star. “Now it has everyone running around in a circle. It’s almost malicious, and it disappoints and infuriates me.
“We were very close to a deal a couple of years ago and everything got leaked. Then, instead of the key people working it out, everybody gets involved in the discussion. If people are trying to help unification, silence is the best thing.”
The split began in 1996 when George formed the Indy Racing League with the Indianapolis 500 as its centerpiece. A controversial qualifying rule allowed only eight starting positions in the race for cars that didn’t compete in other IRL races, which Champ Car (then known as CART) considered a lockout.
CART scheduled the U.S. 500 at Michigan on the same day as the Indy 500, and the two series have remained
apart ever since.
In recent years, the IRL gained momentum as engine manufacturers Honda and Toyota moved from CART to the IRL, bringing top teams like Penske, Ganassi and Andretti Green along. In 2004, George attempted to purchase CART’s assets in bankruptcy, but a judge awarded them to CART’s leaders and the split continued.
In recent months, several developments have indicated that Champ Car is in trouble. In September, the series suddenly canceled its scheduled December season finale in Phoenix. Last month, Champ Car’s top race official, Tony Cotman, resigned. Weeks later, he accepted a similar position with the IRL.
Last month, George offered Champ Car teams free engines and chassis if they joined the IRL. Now, according to published reports, he appears to be ready to add three Champ Car races – Long Beach, Edmonton and Surfers Paradise, Australia – to the 2008 IndyCar Series schedule, with the possibility of Toronto being added in 2009.
Still, George cautioned against being overly optimistic.
“Every time we seem to get close, a new obstacle gets in the way,” he told the
Indianapolis Star.
