Friday, April 5, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.
Many race fans have viewed the bitter dispute between Championship Auto Racing Teams (IndyCar) and the new Indy Racing League as a trial separation, figuring the two sides eventually would resolve their differences in the best interests of the sport.
That might have been the case, before the IRL served IndyCar with divorce papers this week.
The long-awaited IRL chassis rules announced in Indianapolis will make it virtually impossible for IndyCar teams to convert their current cars to IRL specifications.
That suggests that unless one of the sanctioning bodies makes drastic concessions, it's highly unlikely the sport's top teams and drivers will compete in the 1997 Indianapolis 500, either.
For sure, they won't be there this May. With 25 of Indy's 33 starting spots guaranteed to IRL competitors, the cream of the IndyCar crop will be running in a rival race on Memorial Day weekend, the U.S. 500 at Michigan International Speedway.
"Sounds like they are going to run Indy Lights to me," said IndyCar owner Steve Horne, commenting on the IRL chassis plans.
Unless IndyCar teams compete in both series, defect to the IRL or purchase one of the new cars to run Indy only, legends of the Brickyard such as Al Unser Jr., Bobby Rahal, Emerson Fittipaldi and Michael Andretti may have turned their last lap at the venerable 2 1/2-mile oval.
The IRL rules package only confirms the two series are headed in opposite directions rather than toward some sort of compromise.
In keeping with its promise to lower racing's prohibitive costs, the new IRL chassis has a $263,000 (minus engine) price tag. A new IndyCar chassis lists for about $400,000.
The new non-turbocharged Oldsmobile and Nissan IRL engines will cost $75,000, as compared to IndyCar's $1-million engine leasing programs.
The IRL, which will close its debut season Sept. 15 at the new Las Vegas Motor Speedway, reduced chassis costs by opting for a standard gear box and fuel tank, outlawing aerodynamic appendages and making sales factory direct. Most IndyCar teams purchase their cars through a distributor.
"This will be a structurally sound, highly competitive race car at about half the cost of current equipment," said IRL executive director Jack Long, slightly exaggerating the savings.
"We have eliminated some huge costs associated with gearbox and aerodynamic development, and we've also eliminated the middle step of the distribution process. That's where the savings are."
Dallara of Italy and G Force of England will build the new cars. Lola and Reynard, the chief IndyCar builders, chose not to participate.
The defining characteristic of the new chassis will be a bulbous engine cowl, heightened to accommodate the bulky Olds V8.
The new IRL chassis/engine package is expected to reduce straightline and cornering speeds to 225 and 210 mph, respectively, at Indy. The fast cars last year topped 240 on the straightaways.
Backmarkers
* LAS VEGAS SPEEDWAY PARK: Round 2 of the National Performance Center ET Series is set for 8 p.m. Saturday on the drag strip. The National Motorcycle Association also will be featured. The NASCAR Winston Racing Series returns to the paved oval April 13. ... A field of 69 stockers turned out for last weekend's season-opening Taco Bell Classic. ... Motorcycle stuntman Super Joe Reed, who will perform April 26 on the Late Show with David Letterman, will try to leap his bike through a ring of fire -- while blindfolded -- at LVSP April 13. ... The Speedway road course will host the American Historic Road Racing Motorcycle Association Saturday and Sunday. ... Bob Marrazz of Boulder, Colo., powered his '63 Plymouth Savoy to a time of 11.008, winning the Top Cop category at last weekend's Southwest Cop Car Shootout. Las Vegans Clarke Paris (motorcycle) and Roger Woder (Stock Cop) were class winners. ... This is the last week fans can purchase 1996 LVSP season tickets at the reduced price of $165 (NHRA) and $140 (NASCAR). Call 643-3333 for details.
* ETC. ... Las Vegan George Marnell made it back to final Pro Stock eliminations as the 11th fastest qualifier at last weekend's NHRA Slick 50 Nationals at Houston, but was eliminated in the first round by Mike Edwards. ... Las Vegan Chris Trickle started 10th and finished 17th at last week's NASCAR Southwest Tour Coors Light 100 at Cajon (Calif.) Speedway. ... Chevrolet has been named title sponsor of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series April 21 event at Phoenix International Raceway. Round 2 of the championship will be called the NASCAR Chevrolet Desert Classic 300. ... USAC short-track ace Kenny Irwin Jr. will make his truck racing debut at PIR. ... Indy 500 veteran Lyn St. James recently tested a Craftsman Truck at Cajon (Calif.) Speedway and is trying to put together a limited program. The Craftsman Trucks will conclude their season in Las Vegas on Nov. 3.
* WEEKEND SLATE: Formula One: Argentine Grand Prix (8:15 a.m. Sunday, ESPN2). Williams driver Damon Hill goes for his third win in as many '96 starts.
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