IRL boss believes grid could grow

Honda announced this week they will supply every car on the grid next season, including the 33-car field at the Indianapolis 500, following Toyota and Chevrolet's withdrawal from the series.

It was feared that with Champ Car's ascendancy and lack of engine suppliers it could mean that grid sizes will begin to fall this season. Some teams are known to be struggling financially, including former champions Panther Racing.

However, because there is no competition, Honda will restrict their development programme and will reduce costs to pass onto the competitors.

Honda estimates that the leasing price for a season of engines will be $1.3 million this season, and under the $1 million mark in 2007. That compares favourably with Honda's asking price this past season - $1.8 million.

IRL president Brian Barnhart believes this will increase the likelihood of new teams wanting to join.

"The only assurance I can give you is I think the biggest hurdle to participation is cost," Barnhart said. "Anything that we can do that can have this significant of a reduction in a team's cost to participate is certainly a move in the right direction and will help encourage participation.

"By reducing full-season costs by those amounts, both in '06 and again in '07, you should remove some of the hurdles or barriers to participation in the series."

Barnhart also hopes for an increased entry for this year's Indy 500 for the same reason.

"We haven't finalised exactly the costs associated with Indy-only programs yet," he added, "but I can assure you based on the direction and conversations that we've been having, there will also be a significant reduction in the cost of Indy-only programs, whether it's a full month of May program or one that takes place the second week of the month of May.

"But to help, again, accommodate teams, whether it's your full-time teams running additional cars or whether it's the one-offs at Indy like we've had in the past the cost to participate Indy-only programs will also be significantly reduced. "