The IRL's "moderate changes in engine rules," unveiled
yesterday by IMS President Tony George, "appeared to offer
nothing to entice" a reconciliation between CART and the
IRL, according to Robin Miller of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR-
NEWS. The division over engine specifications will likely
continue as the IRL said that its engines must "be available
to be purchased, not leased, by any competitor." CART's
engine manufacturers are "single-minded on leasing engines
to car owners." George: "We charted our course today. It
appears CART has quite a different path, and now both of us
have to get on down the road." CART's four engine
manufacturers have "presented an informal plan" to George in
an effort to reconcile the two racing series, but yesterday
"three of the four principals didn't sound encouraged."
Honda Performance & Development GM Robert Clarke: "I mean,
yes, we'd love to be at Indy. But we're not willing to
compromise to add Indy to our schedule. There's too much
value in CART's series to justify any compromise" (STAR-
NEWS, 11/18). Asked about unifying the two groups, George
said, "I'm not clear on how you could get back to that given
the different structure of our groups. CART wants to become
more global, we want to build a series in the USA"
(INDIANAPOLIS STAR-NEWS, 11/18).
GEORGE KEEPS HIS "DISTANCE": In Indianapolis, Robin
Miller writes that George's decision will keep open-wheel
racing "divided and Indianapolis diluted well into the next
decade." Miller: "Three years after breaking away from
CART, George has chosen to stand his ground and keep his
distance." George "simply wants to make policy and money,
but not peace" with CART (INDIANAPOLIS STAR-NEWS, 11/18).
