Bottom Line

Unless the two series were to agree on identical chassis, engine and transmission specifications, the only thing interchangeable between the IRL and Champ car are the wheels.  Needless to say, if there is any thought of the two series running together at selected events, the CART teams are going to have to buy an entirely new car, different transmissions and, for the most part, a different engine.

That's what the CART teams have to do now in order to run IRL races, and vice-versa.  However, the whole purpose of the negotiations that are taking place now is for the CART engine manufacturers to supply engines for both CART and the IRL so when a CART driver runs in the Indy 500, he can do so with the same engine manufacturer as they run with in CART.  Currently they cannot.  Other than that, a common engine formula will put them no closer than they are today.

Potential Benefits

The Indy 500 once again becomes the Super Bowl of Indy Car racing - Assuming that the IRL and CART agree to coexist peacefully, and they agree on some sort of common engine formula, the Indy 500 can once again become the Super Bowl of Indy Car racing.  Although some may argue it already is, in reality the race has been significantly diminished because the more powerful CART teams do not compete.

If CART and the IRL were smart, they would create a fierce rivalry (as I suggested in this Hatfields vs. McCoys article) between the two series with the two sides fighting for bragging rights at the Indy 500 each May.  In fact, if both sides agree to promote the rivalry with an aggressive marketing campaign, and they don't race on the same days in the same TV time slot, TV ratings may actually go up for both.

What this means of course, is that the more wealthy CART teams will have to find about $3 million in additional sponsorship each May to purchase and run IRL equipment in the Indy 500.  However, as stated earlier, they will be able to do so with their CART engine manufacturers. 

The case for Indy Lights running IRL equipment made stronger  - As I have suggested on numerous occasions, the Indy Lights series should run with IRL spec equipment so the cars bought for the Indy 500 could be used in other races besides the 500, or sold to another Indy Lights team. Just like the NASCAR Winston Cup and the Busch series are run with similar equipment, but different variations of the same engine spec, so to can CART Champ cars and the Indy Lights series.

The Indy Lights series is struggling with low car count.  It is basically a series without a well defined niche.  It could use a shot in the arm.  We would like nothing better than to see the Indy Lights teams run with the IRL cars at selected events, and run as a support series to the Champ cars at other events.

More options for the manufacturers - With a common baseline engine formula, the potential will exist for someday having five or more engine manufacturers competing in both series.  Ford, Chevrolet, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and possibly even Mercedes could someday build engines for both series.  However, as we stated above, whether they can afford to be involved in both CART and the IRL remains to be seen.

Potential Pitfalls for CART

25/8 Rule - The question on everyone's mind is what will Tony George do if a common engine platform brings a majority of CART teams back to the Indy 500 and they start to take the majority of the starting positions in the Indy 500.  There is a fear that Tony may reinstate the 25/8 rule again to protect the teams that have supported the IRL for so many years.  Alternately, he could choose to allow more than 33 cars start the Indy 500, something that is not without precedence as it has happened on more than one occasion, the latest back in 1996.

Loss of heritage and fans - A lot of hardcore CART fans bemoan the loss of their sacred turbocharged engines, a mainstay of the sport for almost 40 years.  Many of these fans feel CART should not go backwards in technology and HP, but instead stay their course by using the 1.8 liter turbocharged engine, an engine that will likely stand the test of time, just as the 2.65 L version did.  

CART could be left with a single engine manufacturer - To NASCAR's and the IRL's credit, they dictate what the engine rules shall be and it's up to the engine manufacturers to play by their rules.  However, in CART, because they have let the series weaken to the point of vulnerability, they are at the mercy of agreeing to whatever engine formula the majority of the engine manufacturers want. If CART's TV ratings were high, engine manufacturers would be knocking down their doors to build engines for the series. Instead, the manufacturers they do have are questioning the value they are getting.   That's not to say that they will get any more value out of an IRL program.  Their TV ratings are just as low, and, except for Indy, play to mostly empty grandstands.  For some reason, some of these manufacturers believe that one race, the Indy 500, that gives them publicity for just 2 or 3 weeks per year, is worth the huge investment of designing a new engine.  If they abandon CART, they are left with 13 USA-only IRL races for which to showcase their product.  Contrast that with CART which allows them to showcase their product in 21+ (soon to be 22 and more) races in 8 different countries.

At various times throughout Champ car history, one engine manufacturer has supplied the entire CART grid.  The IRL also had only one engine manufacturer (Left-over Ford Cosworth's the first year and Oldsmobile's the 2nd) when it first started.  CART could choose to go against the wishes of some and adopt the 1.8 liter turbo formula, which is probably a better choice for the long haul.  The risk of course is only Honda may be left to supply engines to CART and one has to question whether they are willing to supply the entire field. They are strongly in favor of the 1.8L formula.   Alternately, CART can try to get Audi to supply engines too since they already have experience building turbocharged engines for their highly successful ALMS R8 Audi (the R8 runs a somewhat similar 3.6 liter V8, turbocharged, 90 degree cylinder angle, 4 valves per cylinder, 2 Garrett turbochargers, 2 32.4 mm air restrictors and boost restriction to 1.67 bars absolute).  That would give CART two manufactures.  Ultimately it is in CART's best interest to mandate what it feels is the best engine formula to secure its future.  As long as there is rules stability and they can grow the TV ratings, engine manufacturers will likely be willing to play.

CART could eventually be forced to adopt the IRL rules completely - The possibility exists that CART will adopt the 3.5 liter NA formula and initially the engine manufacturers will supply engines to both series.  However, if the economy stays flat for an extended period and the manufacturers begin budget cutting to offset car sales losses, the engine manufacturers might have to choose to do either the CART or the IRL program, and since they will be spending less on the IRL program, they may choose to drop their CART program.  Then CART teams would be faced with buying the IRL spec engines lock, stock and barrel, for all their races, and that's assuming the supply is adequate for both series.

Conclusions

All in all, CART has a difficult decision to make.   They can choose to go along with the majority of the engine manufacturers wishes and, as we understand it, adopt a normally aspirated engine with the hope that CART and the IRL can coexist in harmony forever (not withstanding a nice rivalry).  Alternately they can choose to stand their ground, stick with their traditional turbocharged engines and hope enough engine manufacturers support them to make it through a tough period.  The last decision, and perhaps the best one for another year, is to do nothing, and give themselves and their engine manufacturers more time to study the implications of this very important decision.

All is not doom and gloom, however, as CART has many successful events on its calendar, is gaining in popularity around the world, has many strong teams, the movie DRIVEN is about to be released, and we hear a new TV contract is close at hand.  If CART can show the manufacturers that they are turning the ship around by years end, perhaps the decision on which way to go with the engines won't be as difficult.

If CART moves to a 3.5L normally aspirated engine, it will move them a little closer to the IRL, but the two series are still a long way from doing business as one series under a common umbrella, and without that, the fan confusion between the two will likely remain.  CART & IRL, close, and yet so far.....