Toyota speaks out on CART future

Toyota decided to quit CART after deciding it could not supply engines to both the IRL, to which it has committed for 2003, and Champ Cars.

However, following a decision by the latter to adopt IRL's 3.5-litre normally-aspirated engine regulations, which prompted both Ford and Honda to quit the series, Toyota could yet end up supplying both series. That has become even more of a possibility after Champ Car team bosses voted to use a non-uprated version of the IRL engine at Fontana 10 days ago.

While Toyota's main focus will be IRL, Toyota Racing Development's general manager Lee White says that the company could supply as many as 10 engines to the Champ Car series on a purely customer basis, if not more.

"We have said all along that if CART adopted the same engine [as IRL], and if it made business and marketing sense, that we would participate in CART," said White. "So under these auspices, we would be happy to supply as many engines as we reasonably could. We can supply 10 cars. Beyond that it would have to be evaluated."

White has also stipulated that further criteria need to be met by CART if Toyota is to continue its supply. Furthermore, Toyota is not prepared to be the series' sole engine manufacturer and as a result, other suppliers still have to be found. Both Cosworth and British-based builders Engine Developments are known to have an interest.