Engine makers await IRL specs

November 4, 2008
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While most Hoosiers are headed for the polls this election day, Indy Racing League teams and officials are headed to Las Vegas for their post-season banquet at The Palms Casino Resort tomorrow.

Word coming from series officials as they get ready to wrap up the season is that there is still a fair bit of interest from several engine makers interested in joining the series in coming years. Those manufacturers are especially interested in the 2011 engine specifications, which are expected to be released any day. The expectation is a four-cylinder turbo-charged engine. Since 1997, IRL cars have been powered by non turbo-charged engines. The return to turbo-charged engines is especially enticing to some engine makers.

There were 10 engine makers at a June 25 meeting about the specifications. The most keen interest now is coming from Alfa Romeo, Porsche, BMW and Audi. Honda, which has committed to staying with the series has made clear its interest in competing against other engine makers. Honda has been the sole engine maker for the series since Chevrolet and Toyota exited in the past three years.
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  • berwickguyNovember 4, 2008 10:53 AM
    Competetion is always good. It's a shame that there will not be an option for other chassis manufacturers.
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  • IndymanNovember 4, 2008 12:34 PM
    I am sure if someone wants to build another chassis, they would be able to. There is much less advertising potential, thus less bang for the buck, with chassis. I mean a Porsche or Audi wins Indy, and they can advertise that pretty easily and show that the technology transfers. Same with tires, Goodyear or Firestone or whatever. Same argument for oil, sparkplugs etc.... But when was the last time someone wanted to go out and by winning chassis? Reynard or Dallara do not sell the average consumer product.

    I like the names out there for potential Engine manufacturers. I believe this would be the first time for BMW and Audi, I thought Alfa ran a car in the early years (good question for Donald Davidson) and I remember the old Teo Fabi, break the green curse, Skoal Bandit days. Those names would definitely add a boost to Indy.
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  • DaHooeyNovember 4, 2008 4:28 PM
    It will be a tough sell for Tony. What channel is the EARL on next year? :eek:
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  • DavisNovember 4, 2008 9:03 PM
    While VS deal didn't do anything to enhance the league's image immediately, and I have to admit I'm as skeptical as anyone, I think you have to give it at least one or two years before you can judge it in its entirety. And as long as you have the Indianapolis 500 on your schedule, you'll get at least a little attention.
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  • StanNovember 4, 2008 10:16 PM
    And as long as you have the Indianapolis 500 on your schedule, you’ll get at least a little attention.

    And it gets less and less every year. That's what happens when it's a cheap, fake, lame pathetic imitation of an Indianapolis 500.

    That's what happens when you replace an American tradition with onion gum, then act all ignorant and arrogant while pretending nothing's wrong. FTG has killed the sport, IMS should be plowed under and made into a strip mall.

    If these remaining potential engine mfgrs seriously undertook a cost vs (sorry) benefit analysis of participating in this junk 'league', there's no way they would bother. We'll know soon I guess.
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  • berwickguyNovember 5, 2008 7:46 AM
    Stan, Mr. Always Negative, loves to run down people that he's envious of. Why, because they have something they are trying to make better, and he has nothing but sour grapes.
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  • SamNovember 5, 2008 9:12 AM
    Stan, Just curious. Can you give us two or three initiatives you would enact if you were in charge of the IRL? Seriously. No BS. You must have some ideas.
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  • indymanNovember 5, 2008 9:14 AM
    Makes you wonder what Stans motivation is. I am still betting he is either a former c>rt/owrs/ccws office boy who lost his job when they went under for the umpteenth time, or he is bitter because he was one of the 6 or 7 who watched the c>rt/owrs/ccws infomercials and loved the action of the push to pass. Nothing screams real racing like gimmicks.
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  1. If a television station wants to improve viewership, get rid of the local blackout. I was born by the brickyard, and have attended 15 or more races. I have children now, I won't attend unless circumstances are perfect. As those with growing families know, they never are. I'm always impressed that upwards of 250,000 people attend the 500. However, as a growing, or, more apt, sprawling city, Indianapolis and its immediate suburbs count almost 2.2 million. Show the race live, let the venue get a kick-back on revenues, and open-wheel racing might have a fighting chance to be relevant again. Just in time for those tax-payer lights to make sense.

  2. John Moore, I too have had the same issue recently. A property next to my house was on the Land Bank and I was interested in purchasing. When I tried to contact Reggie, I got back emails that had nothing to do with what I asked about. Actually my latest response from him was on this past Friday. I had asked about how to buy the property and if it was still available. His response to me was to contact the mayor's office to get the schedule of his appearances. (???) Hopefully the city is able to do something to fix what this guy has done, it would be nice if they would take the properties back and sell them properly so land owners like me and you mother would have a fair chance.

  3. I too work in the industry, with over 25 years of experience and your political spin has probably nothing to do with any rebranding. "Let's dress it up" would have nothing to do with the government "telling us how and what to eat." Give it a political rest. And being a producer for a radio show doesn't mean you've been involved in advertising and branding for 30 years.

  4. Ms. Morris did not understand the ways of the business world, otherwise, like the IMS, she could have petitioned the State Legislature for a handout of State Funds for her charity work. Ms. Morris should consider becoming a state lobbyist for Lemonade Stand Operators.

  5. David Copperfield!

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