European Car Makers Interested in IndyCar Engine Deal

In a time when most manufacturers seem to revise their racing programmes in Formula 1 – Honda even withdrew from the series last year – the IndyCar Series confirmed that no less than 5 car makers are interested in building the new technical package for 2011.

Given the less expensive new-generation engines that are to be provided to the series in 2 years time, Honda, Porsche, Volkswagen, Fiat and Audi are still in talks with the IndyCar officials to become new engine suppliers in the leading open-wheel series in North America.

The new unit would have to be built in compliance with rules from other racing series in North America, for re-use purposes. In order to ensure that any team in the series can afford it, the engine must last for at least 3,750 miles between rebuilts. Also work on the new engine would be frozen until 2016.

“This process was designed to showcase the league's position as an innovator and bring relevance to the forefront for the manufacturers. What we have found in the ensuing months during the economic downturn is that the IndyCar Series has really hit on the relevance point with the manufacturers and quite possibly helped the motorsports industry usher in a new era of responsible cost containment,performance standard and engine development,” commented IndyCar commercial boss Terry Angstadt.

The new engine rules for 2011 will not affect in any way the monopoly of Dallara as chassis manufacturer in the series or Firestone as tire supplier. Honda is the only manufacturer risking to lose its position in the series, as the Japanese car maker was the single supplier of standard engines for IRL teams since the beginning of 2006.