IRL, Champ Car take key steps toward unifying through ownership agreement

The Indy Racing League and Champ Car have taken important steps toward unifying the two open-wheel series of American racing.\nChamp Car World Series boss Kevin Kalkhoven told The Associated Press on Sunday there is no written agreement, although the two sides have reached an understanding. He said there are many issues to resolve, but he is "very optimistic" the deal can be completed.\nThe Indianapolis Star on Sunday said the parties have an "ownership sharing agreement," although Kalkhoven characterized developments to the AP as "more a progress report than anything else."\nIRL founder and chief executive Tony George told the Star: "We've agreed conceptually (to share ownership). Now we have to agree on how we would go about resolving differences that might come up."\nKalkhoven agreed that finding a way to settle disagreements is critical.\nHe said one possibility discussed is choosing a person to arbitrate these differences or be the deciding vote. Among the names reportedly brought up are Roger Penske, and IRL team owner and one of the founders of Champ Car's predecessor, CART; and longtime CART star Mario Andretti.\n"Obviously, we need some kind of tiebreaker," Kalkhoven said. "We've had suggestions on both sides, but nothing has been resolved at this point."\nKalkhoven also said he supports an idea put forward by IRL president Brian Barnhardt suggesting that the IRL and Champ Car could run separate races at the same venue once or twice next season.\nKalkhoven, a Champ Car team owner and co-owner of the series that was racing in Cleveland on Sunday, remains "very optimistic that we can get this done."\n"What it means, though, is we have a lot of agreements on a lot of issues and there are still a lot of issues to resolve," Kalkhoven added.\nAmong the things yet to be decided: Which races survive a merger? What chassis and engine combination a unified series would run? Who would run day-to-day operations.\n"The good news is that Tony and I talking," Kalkhoven said. "And, as I've said from the start, doing it right is more important than just getting it done."\nAlso, Kalkhoven and Champ Car president Steve Johnson have said the 2007 schedule will leave free time in May for any Champ Car teams or drivers to compete in the IRL's Indianapolis 500.\nThe IRL began competition in 1996, starting a damaging split in the open-wheel world that cut into an already diminished fan base and sinking TV ratings, as well as scaring away big-money sponsors. Both sides have struggled since, with CART eventually sinking into bankruptcy and being resurrected in 2004 as Champ Car.\nThere have been several previous attempts by representatives of both sides to negotiate some kind of peace or merger, but none has succeeded. The latest talks began in December when Kalkhoven and George had a chance meeting and began developing a friendship and dialogue.\n"We have had some face-to-face meetings but, mostly, we stay in contact by telephone and e-mail and we continue to have a very good relationship," Kalkhoven said.