Brian Barnhart: only one chassis?
Q: Has a plan been solidified yet to stay with a single engine manufacturer/chassis or is the competition going to allow for an engine spec that would permit multiple manufacturers to compete in the series that is to say might we see Honda, Cosworth, Chevy etc offering up a spec engine for the series? If I recollect that is how it used to be, correct? Might we also see a gamut of chassis types e.g. Dallara, Panoz, Lola or will we be stuck with a single chassis design?
Rob W., Reston, VA
Robin Miller: Sadly Rob we will be stuck with only one chassis (Dallara) because Brian Barnhart tells people it's going to help control the costs. Really? I guess that's why today's IRL budgets to run up front are $8 million. If the IRL rulebook wasn't so open, maybe costs could be contained but right now it's out of control and Dallara is making a killing on parts. Having Lola and Panoz build cars would be productive as well as competitive, just like having multiple engine manufacturers. Who knows if anybody will step up to challenge Honda but there seems to be interest from several companies, so let's hope so.
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