FOUNTAIN, Colo., June 14 (UPI) -- What was feared last week at Texas among teams in the Indy Racing League using Infiniti engines became official Friday when the engine manufacturer announced it would no longer supply engines to IRL teams, effective at the end of this season.
Fear over rising costs in the series, which could escalate when Toyota and Honda leave CART at the end of this season and join the IRL next season, could be a major factor in Infiniti's departure.
The Infiniti Division of Nissan North America, Inc. announced Friday that it will concentrate its 2003 Indy Racing League program in the new Infiniti Pro Series, which begins competition later this year.
Infiniti, which will discontinue providing engines to the Indy Racing League at the conclusion of the 2002 season, will support the IRL program for the balance of this season.
"We appreciate the many significant contributions that Infiniti has made to the Indy Racing League and appreciate its continued support of the exciting, new Infiniti Pro Series, which will be an outstanding showcase for its products and some of the top young talent in racing," said Tony George, Indy Racing League president and CEO.
"With Chevrolet, Honda and Toyota supplying engines to the Indy Racing League and Infiniti providing strong support to the Infiniti Pro Series, the league is set for continued growth in 2003."
Infiniti began providing engines to the series in 1997. This decision was made after a careful review of Nissan's motorsports program and the corporation's goals under NISSAN 180.
That plan is used to keep the company on a "path to lasting profitable growth on a global basis."
The Infiniti Pro Series is the IRL's developmental series which will begin competition in three weeks at Kansas Speedway. The Pro Series program allows Infiniti to supply stock Q45 engines to Tom Walkinshaw Racing, who will make racing modifications and sell the engines to race teams competing in the series.
