Ford, Toyota raise doubts too

CART offered few specifics about the future engine formula, and its senior vice-president of racing John Lopes said it would be another 30 to 60 days before any concrete information would be available for the manufacturers.

Toyota, which in February announced its intentions to build Indy Racing League specification engines, said that CART's move to a similar powerplant might not guarantee its continued participation in the Champ Car series.

"We haven't had any discussions with CART since the decision they reached was made," commented Les Unger, Toyota's American motorsports manager. "We received the information from CART at the same time that everybody else did. So our decision hasn't changed as to what our plans are for 2003, and that is to produce one engine, which I guess we'll refer to as an IRL-spec engine now.

"Depending on what happens in the next 30 to 60 days, if it makes business sense and marketing sense, then it is something we'll look at," he added. "But at this point in time, it's still not definitive what the final product will resemble."

Cosworth Racing Marketing Director Bernard Ferguson said that Ford would not be able to commit to future participation in Champ Cars until it knows the level of technology CART will permit.

"We have no view on it because there is nothing of substance in the announcement," Ferguson said. "Obviously we are very disappointed. For one thing, we don't know what the details are of the engine rules. The other thing is that everything in the pit lane today will be obsolete."

Unger said Toyota would be open to working with CART as it pinpoints the exact engine specifications it will use.

"We're going to have to wait and see what questions they (CART) have and what ramifications there are to see how this whole thing develops," he commented. "We don't know anymore than anyone else at this point. We weren't given advance notice. We heard about it yesterday afternoon, we read the press release, and we have the same questions that everyone else has at this point.

"Obviously we'll see how it transitions. But as of today, our position hasn't changed for 2003. As of this point in time, we are still planning on building a single-spec 3.5-liter, IRL-spec engine."