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Honda wants quick IRL rules decision

Honda has urged the Indy Racing League to decide on the IndyCar Series' future chassis and engine rules by the end of the year to make sure the changes are implemented for 2012

Honda Performance Development president Erik Berkman wants the IRL to reopen its round-table discussions with potential new engine manufacturers in a bid to thrash out a rules package.

When the talks started just over a year ago, the initial target had been for a new car specification for 2011, but that has been pushed back a year because it has taken so long to make any further progress.

"If we get into the first quarter of next year and it continues to draw out, we won't be able to do it for 2012," Berkman told this week's AUTOSPORT magazine.

"We need to know by Christmas so we can put it in place and budget for it. There's been some communication, but our last roundtable was some time ago. I would say it's time for us to have another one."

One of the main stumbling blocks in the earlier discussions was the specification of the engine. Honda wanted a V6 unit, while other manufacturers supported an in-line four-cylinder powerplant.

Berkman believes a solution can quickly be found if meetings resume.

"There's nothing that says we can't broker a deal if we all get together in one room, turn up the heat, and agree not to leave until we have a deal," he said.

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