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Carpentier considers IRL

Champ Car veteran Patrick Carpentier has hinted that he may switch to the rival IRL IndyCar Series in 2005. The Canadian admitted during the Montreal round of the Champ Car World Series last weekend that although he is preliminary negotiatons with his current team Forsythe Racing, he has had "much more interesting offers" elsewhere

Carpentier has already signalled his unhappiness at playing second fiddle to Forsythe team-mate Paul Tracy, and with the reigning champion likely to stay with the team, it seems Carpentier is set to opt for a more competitive drive in the IRL.

"I know that (Paul) Tracy has already signed with Forsythe," he said. "We aren't at the same point at all in our discussions compared to where I am with the IRL."

"I've got some pretty interesting offers from the other side but nothing special over here," said Carpentier, who finished second in Montreal. "I've talked with Gerry (Forsythe) and we'll talk more but it's kind of disappointing we can't find anybody in Canada to step up and sponsor Paul (Tracy) and myself.

"If I stay here in Champ Car it looks like I have to bring money and in the IRL I would get paid a lot of money to drive."

Toyota-powered teams Penske and Ganassi are considering expanding their IRL programmes to three cars and Carpentier has been linked to both. "I've always liked ovals," said Carpentier. "I haven't made a decision yet but I'll make one by Laguna Seca (Sep 12)."

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