News from abroad

Posted by Iannucci | 2/11/2008 | 5 comments »
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This just in from Australia's Goldcoast.com.

Deal seals Indy's future

In an agreement that has the motorsport world abuzz, the two rival North American open-wheel racing bodies are poised to sign a historic merger deal.

In the past week, the major hurdle that needed to be cleared was getting officials at Twin-Ring Motegi in Japan to move its race date from April to later in the season so that the Long Beach could be added to the IndyCar schedule.

Indy sources said Honda had agreed in principle to the date change and it was expected that the deal would not be lost because of Honda's reluctance to sign off.

"It's a done deal," said the Indy source.
Take this all with a shovel full of salt because the article also says this.

Gold Coast-based Team Australia, owned by Craig Gore, with Will Power and Ryan Briscoe as its two drivers, would be part of the super 2008 series.
...and as Helio Castroneves could tell you that's not exactly accurate.

5 comments

  1. Fred Hurley // February 11, 2008 8:35 AM  

    I'll believe this when I see a press conference on SportsCenter with George, Kalkhoven, Forsythe, and Walker, Penske, Ganassi, Andretti, and Haas, all talking about how pleased they are to be racing each other again. Actually, no. I'll believe this when I see the green flag drop at Homestead-Miami on a merged field.

  2. Doug // February 11, 2008 9:01 AM  

    Precisely, tabernerus. I don't put much stock in the GoldCoast article. Its sounds more like dressed-up speculation from the internet rumormill. I'm waiting for the official unbiased word from Mr. Miller. ;)

  3. Anonymous // February 11, 2008 9:02 AM  

    I was gonna say, tabernerus, there's no way it would be on SportsCenter. Maybe a clip on ESPNNews after the fact. *sigh*

  4. Fred Hurley // February 11, 2008 9:06 AM  

    Well, OK, so SportsCenter was a little ambitious, though since they'd be the broadcast partner for any unified series, they'd likely get the word out somehow.

    My guess on Saturday was that IF this particular flurry of merger talk comes to fruition, an official announcement would come on Wednesday. It'll take a couple of days for the various interested parties to be officially notified.

  5. Justin // February 11, 2008 11:36 AM  

    I'll beleive it when I read it on My Name is IRL!!!