Mo Nunn Racing to keep Ilmor engines?

Ilmor has always designed the Mercedes-badged engines used in CART. Although the German company has long been rumoured to be pulling out of the series, there was always a possibility that Ilmor would find another manufacturer to fund its programme. Prior to Mercedes arrival, Ilmor's V8's were run as Chevrolets.

Mo Nunn Racing still has a contract with Ilmor for the 2001 season. The team was formed as a semi-works Mercedes outfit at the start of this season to try and revive the manufacturer's waning fortunes in the series.

"We still have a contract with Ilmor to supply us with engines for next year," team boss Nunn insisted in the wake of Mercedes' announcement.

Ilmor's Paul Ray agreed that there was still a possibility that his company would remain involved in CART in some guise next season.

"We still have a contract with Morris Nunn and we're not in the habit of breaking contracts," he agreed. "But it's pretty unlikely that we will have the Mercedes brand on our engine."

The plans of the other Mercedes teams remain unclear. PacWest has long been linked with a switch to Honda power, while Bettenhausen and Arciero PRG will also have to look elsewhere for engines in 2001.