Time running out for F1's return to Indy in 2009

Time is running out for the United States return to the Formula 1 circus. Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony George says that there is only two months left to get United States Grand Prix on the 2009 Formula 1 Schedule in time for the speedway's centennial celebration next year.

"It's 50/50, that it's safe," said George. "The last conversation I had was probably in February. For planning purposes, we would need to know fairly soon if it's part of our '09 calendar.

"They (F1) don't necessarily need to know now. They can wait until August, September, October to announce their calendar, and that doesn't work for us."

George is also searching for a title sponsor for the event, but most of the money from the title sponsor would go to Formula 1. The track, though, would be eligible for a "finder fee".

"It won't happen until we get some more commercial support - a title sponsor or whatnot," continued George. "There is still a gap to be bridged in the finances for it to make sense."

Time running out for new Indy deal (Autosport.com)

Indycar to set new engine rules in 2011

Indycar officials, teams and representatives of the U.S. car industry are ready to meet next month on what the engine for the Indycar series will look like in 2011. With new eviromental constraints on the horzion this could possibly mean the end of the V8 engine which the Indycar Series has used the past 10 years. This could mean that a move to 4 or 6 cylinder engines in the future is very likely.

Indycar is also looking for new faces in the series when it comes to engines. Honda has singed up to be Indycar's sole engine supplier until 2014, but both Honda and Indycar are open to new engine suppliers. Honda has been the sole engine supplier since Toyota left to focus more on thier NASCAR efforts in 2005.

"Racing is about competition," Indycar boss Tony George said. "It's always had competition and, while it can be successful without it, we think it works better with it because it attracts new players to the series."

Hopefully, players like Cosworth can enter the series and bring in some diversity and competion to a series that has been needing some.

Engine rules set for 2011 overhaul (Autosport.com)