Comming In 2011?

As we wait to see what the final version of the 2011 IndyCar Series engine/chassis specifications package will be, we now may know who a few more of the potential participants are. On his weekly satellite radio show, SpeedTV.com's Robin Miller stated that Alfa Romeo & Audi are both among the manufacturers currently talking to the IRL.

If his information is correct, that would mean that we (possibly) now know the identities of four of the five auto companies involved in the on-going discussions: Honda is definitely involved, and rumors from earlier this month also have Porsche in the mix.

Alfa Romeo has previously competed in the IndyCar Series, building engines for a single car team from 1989 through 1991: Their best result was a 4th place finish in '91. Audi currently competes in the American Le Mans Series.

It has also been revealed in the past week that Terry Angstadt, the president of the IRL's commercial division, has recently been to Brazil, where he was following up on talks with producers of sugar cane-based ethanol. While the IRL currently uses corn-based ethanol to power the IndyCar Series, they are exploring other "green" fuel options for the 2011 spec. engines.