Champ Car engine makers look for Indy 500 return

The move by Ford, Honda and Toyota could mean the same engine rules being used in both CART and the rival Indy Racing League series, which includes the Memorial Day classic as one of its rounds. The former uses turbo-charged 2.65-litre blocks while the IRL opts for a simpler, normally aspirated 3.5-litre V8.

The trio of manufacturers are currently in talks with Indianapolis Motor Speedway boss Tony George, but an agreement must be reached by March 15, the date when CART has to formalise its engine rules for 2003 onwards.

CART teams are able to compete in the Indy 500 (Chip Ganassi Racing won last year's race), but are often prevented from using an existing off-the-shelf IRL engine by contractual obligations with their CART power suppliers. Compatibility on engine rules would allow the teams to race at the brickyard without having to buy new motors.

It is thought unlikely that CART will adopt IRL's rules, as Ford is known to be against conforming to regulations set by rival manufacturer General Motors. The CART format also promotes a greater use of technology compared to IRL's simpler approach.

Current CART engines could run with less boost to match the power output of IRL engines, but a more likely option is a compromise between the two series. Since the Indy 500 is already part of the IRL championship, CART may find it has to be the more accommodating party in any agreement reached.

Former CART president and Champ Car team owner Bobby Rahal is a supporter of any solution to take Champ Car teams back to the Brickyard, but believes using the same engines is unlikely to bring the two series closer together.

"I have no doubt that Ford, Toyota and Honda will be at Indianapolis in years to come," he said. "The idea is to find some kind of engine that's acceptable to the IRL and acceptable to CART. CART will go where the engine guys go.

"The most successful open-wheel races in the US - forget Indianapolis - are the road courses and the street courses, and the IRL doesn't believe in that. I don't know why CART wouldn't just focus on street and road courses and let the IRL have the ovals."