IndyCar Series Hopes To Have Three Engines By '12 Season

New IndyCar Engines, Slated For '11 Season Debut, May Not Break Until '12

The economic downturn "might cause a one-year delay for implementing a new engine" in the IndyCar Series, according to Nate Ryan of USA TODAY. The series wanted to switch motors in '11, but IRL President & COO Brian Barnhart said, "My gut tells me in this economic environment, we're probably looking more toward 2012." Barnhart: "I wouldn't rule out 2011, but it most certainly could be pushed back to 2012." IRL officials Tuesday revealed that Honda, Audi, Fiat, Porsche and Volkswagen "remained in negotiations about building a new engine that probably would be lighter, more efficient and turbocharged compared with the current normally aspirated V8 model." Honda Performance Development President Erik Berkman said that Honda "would prefer a V6 engine to the four-cylinder model favored by other manufacturers, but 'we haven't said it's a dealbreaker.'" Meanwhile, Barnhart said that "one manufacturer would be seeking approval for competing in IndyCar from its board within the next 60 days" (USA TODAY, 2/4). In Indianapolis, Curt Cavin reported six engine-building companies, "including Ilmor and Cosworth, also are involved in the shaping of the series' next engine" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 2/4).