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Organisers look at road courses for 2004
All-oval series looks set to turn right as well as left
The IRL currently runs on ovals only
Organisers of the Indy Racing League have opened the door to the possiblity of running on road courses from 2004 onwards, according to this week's AUTOSPORT magazine.
The new generation of IRL chassis being introduced for three years from 2003 feature refuelling nozzles on both sides of the car, and a gearbox that can accept a differential, both of which would ease the transition to non-oval racing.
Brian Barnhart, the IRL's vice-president of operations, said that these elements were included to give the series the option of diversifying in the future, although he stressed that the IRL would remain focussed on oval circuits.
"Just because we're an oval-based series doesn't mean we won't entertain the idea of a road race down the line," Barnhart said. We're a very fluid business. At the moment we are oval only, but if it's the right thing, we'll look at it."
All-oval series looks set to turn right as well as left
The IRL currently runs on ovals only
Organisers of the Indy Racing League have opened the door to the possiblity of running on road courses from 2004 onwards, according to this week's AUTOSPORT magazine.
The new generation of IRL chassis being introduced for three years from 2003 feature refuelling nozzles on both sides of the car, and a gearbox that can accept a differential, both of which would ease the transition to non-oval racing.
Brian Barnhart, the IRL's vice-president of operations, said that these elements were included to give the series the option of diversifying in the future, although he stressed that the IRL would remain focussed on oval circuits.
"Just because we're an oval-based series doesn't mean we won't entertain the idea of a road race down the line," Barnhart said. We're a very fluid business. At the moment we are oval only, but if it's the right thing, we'll look at it."
