IRL UNIFICATION with CHAMP CAR

On January 24, 2008, Tony George offered Champ Car management a proposal that included free cars and engine leases to Champ Car teams willing to run the entire 2008 IndyCar Series scheduled in exchange for adding Champ Car's dates at Long Beach, Toronto, Edmonton, Mexico City and Australia to the IndyCar Series schedule, effectively reuniting American open wheel racing.

       

The offer was initially made in November 2007. On February 19, 2008, Tony Geoge, along with IRL representatives Terry Angstandt and Brian Barnhart, plus former Honda executive Robert Clarke, travelled to Japan to discuss changing the date of the Indy Japan 500. There was a conflict with the Long Beach Grand Prix

Champ Car co-owners Gerald Forsythe, Kevin Kalkhoven, Dan Pettit and Paul Gentilozziwere reportedly reviewing a document which could finally end the 12 year split.

In February 2008, Indy Racing League founder and CEO Tony George and owners of the Champ Car World Series completed an agreement to unify the sport for 2008.

The result was that the Champ Car World Sries was suspended except for the Long Beach Grand Prix. Many of the former Champ Car teams moved to the IndyCarSeies using equipment provided by the League.