By Curt Cavin
Indianapolis Star
February 19, 2008
The four owners of the Champ Car World Series could decide the fate of the Indianapolis-based series today, but one of them offered a word of caution.
Paul Gentilozzi doesn’t expect to see very many, if any, Champ Car teams in the Indy Racing League this season.
“I don’t know of a Champ Car team that is a go,” Gentilozzi said today. “(One owner) told me he’d run (the Indianapolis 500), but he will not run the season.”
Walker Racing is the only Champ Car team that has confirmed its interest in joining the IRL, but team owner Derrick Walker reiterated today that he still doesn’t have the financial backing to make the move.
Said Gentilozzi of moving his Rocketsports team to the IRL: “I can’t make the numbers work.”
Gentilozzi said his Brazilian driver and sponsor aren’t interested in oval-track racing, which is the cornerstone of the IRL.
Gentilozzi said Champ Car’s owners have a document in their possession to vote on, and a decision could come as early as today. Bankruptcy is among the options they could consider. Gentilozzi did not discuss the document’s details, but it likely centers on bankruptcy of the series they purchased in 2004.
Gerald Forsythe, Kevin Kalkhoven and Dan Pettit are the other owners of the series.
David Higdon, Champ Car’s executive vice president of strategic development, said there will be no announcement today.
“We’re in the same position we were last week: Discussions are being held, but nothing is done,” he said. “We’re continuing to operate as Champ Car. We should know imminently which direction we’re heading.”
Meanwhile, IRL officials are making plans to accommodate Champ Car teams, just in case.
Brian Barnhart, the president of the IRL’s competition division, said today that league founder Tony George, who is negotiating a possible reconciliation with Champ Car’s owners, has asked him to determine which IRL teams have cars and equipment to spare.
Barnhart noted at least 60 cars owned by various IRL teams. Ten are owned by Vision Racing, which George owns.
“(He) has me talking with these teams about chassis, but he does not have (anyone) buying it yet,” Barnhart said of George.
Walker Racing is believed to be the only Champ Car team that has an IRL chassis in its possession, but it is on loan from an IRL team.
George has been in talks with Champ Car’s owners since November, and talks have picked up steam in recent weeks. George has not set a deadline for a decision, but the IRL’s first race is March 29 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
The IRL is scheduled to test at the Homestead track next week. Barnhart said a later test is being arranged for Champ Car teams that make the switch to the IRL.
George could not be reached for comment.
Said Barnhart: “I still think there is some work (to do), and they are still talking.”
Walker said everyone continues to play a wait-and-see game.
“I’ve heard everything from a deal is very imminent to the possibility of one or two (Champ Car owners) being resistant,” he said. “I’d guess that anybody in Champ Car who can pursue an IRL program is at this point.”