IRL may go back to production engines

IRL officials have had preliminary discussions about returning to a production-based engine, league operations director Brian Barnhart said. General Motors cited that as a key to returning to the series it will leave after the 2005 season. The IRL is due to renew its equipment after 2006. "We'll make our decision based on input from our current manufacturers as well as potential ones," Barnhart said. The IRL didn't have the best reliability when it used production-based engines from 1997-99. Barnhart said the cost of switching is another consideration. A decision is due by May, he said, giving manufacturers at least 18 months to prepare for the start of the 2007 season. Indy Star