Talks for combined series scrapped

Speaking from this weekend's IRL race in Las Vegas, IRL chief Tony George said the breakaway series was not about to settle its differences with Champ Car chiefs.

'What they're [CART] asking us to do is change our equipment, but I have not been presented with a good reason to change,' he commented.

'The IRL doesn't need to compromise. We're happy with what we have. We don't have to change. We won't change.

'There is nothing imminent out there that's going to happen.'

CART team owner Barry Green claims George's refusal to compromise is a step in the wrong direction for open-wheel racing.

'It's very disappointing,' he admitted. 'I told Tony [George] that we owe it to open-wheel racing to put this thing together.

'A few weeks ago, it looked like we had this thing worked out.

'I don't know what happened, but the only way I'd do this again is if you convince me that he's [George] really interested.'

CART chiefs are keen to get the coveted Indianapolis event - which belongs to George - back on the Champ Car calendar.

'All sponsors are interested in seeing Indianapolis be a key part of the total racing programme,' said CART team owner Roger Penske.

'We all know we have to be in one series, so what I want to know is, where's Tony going with this?'

Talks between the two series were threatened a few weeks ago, after major IRL engine supplier General Motors expressed discontent at the number of manufacturers involved in CART.