Honda Behind Move for US Unity

According to speedtv.com, the Japanese manufacturer has met with leading officials from both series in a bid for them to unify or adopt the same technical regulations from 2007 onwards.

Although many of the sports' famous names have tried to end the 10-year split it is the first time a major manufacturer has tackled the problem.

Honda is the only manufacturer is expected to be in IRL in 2007, with current rivals General Motors withdrawing at the end of this season and Toyota expected to switch to NASCAR at the end of 2006.

Honda Performance Development president Robert Clarke said: "The fan base for open wheel racing is very small and there are not enough people to sustain two separate series. They must come together.

"Honda feels that the very existence of open wheel racing in this country is at risk. And if things continue as they are, both will ultimately fail."

"I'm afraid we'll be the only engine manufacturer involved in this thing by 2007. And that's not what Honda wants. We want competition."

"The optimum would be the two series come together with common chassis and engines. Then you could have common equipment and common races. The other option I guess would be common equipment but nobody gets together. But that's not going to help the overall picture."