Things that make you go hmmm…….

UPDATE This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' today as AutoRacing1.com has confirmed that two people from the IRL visited the Panoz factory to see the new Champ Car, one of which was Brian Barnhart. We hear he had nothing but nice things to say about what he saw.

Champ Car made a point of saying during the unveiling Friday night that this new car is the safest open wheel car in the world that easily exceeds all IRL and FIA safety standards. So if you hear anyone say there can't be a merger with this car used as the standard, shrug it off as BS because the person telling you otherwise probably has another political agenda.

With that said there will be no merger for a long time. Mark C.

07/28/06 AutoRacing1.com has learned that Brian Barnhart was at the Panoz factory this past week and was seen having a thorough look at the new Champ Car including stooping down underneath and having a good look at the underside of the car.

Given this fact, and given that he was granted permission by Champ Car to come and see the new car, one has to wonder why? Our theory is this, we do not see a full merger between Champ Car and the IRL happening based on what we know today. However, it is quite possible that the two series will agree to run common equipment which will allow some joint races, including the Indy 500, but that's probably as far as the cooperation will go. If that happens though, we are looking at something very much like this scenario we proposed awhile ago – see related article – i.e. common equipment, two divisions with joint races.