Cosworth eyeing IRL return?

Q: With all this talk of new engines, has anyone considered getting Cosworth back into OWR? They are no longer in F1. Are they still in business or have Kalkhoven and Forsythe run that company into the ground like they did to Champ Cars? I loved the sound of the Cosworth V8 turbos in full song when I heard them at the last Vancouver Indy. What is their current status and prospects? Or would TG even consider them because they represent the "loser" series? Keith Hines, Smithers, BC, Canada

RM: Interesting you brought that up. A Cosworth biggie was seen leaving the IRL office a few weeks ago so let's do some speculating. Let's suppose the IRL doesn't adopt the V6 like Honda wants and, after 2010, Honda leaves IndyCar. Let's also suppose VW joins the IRL but not until 2012. Who fills that void in 2011? Those turbo Cosworths sitting in a shop in California. SPEEDTV.com

[Editor's Note: Cosworth is also free to build and maintain engines for any of the manufacturers wanting to run in the IndyCar series. In fact it makes sense for VW to hire Cosworth, who are already based in the USA, rather than waste millions setting up their own race engine shop and rebuild facility. Cosworth also has a good relationship with Mazda, should they choose to step up to IndyCar to go head-to-head with Japanese rival Honda.]