HOMESTEAD, Fla. — The lateness of the open-wheel racing unification agreement has resulted in at least one awkward solution. The most obvious is the weekend of April 19-20, when the IndyCar Series will compete in Motegi, Japan on Saturday and equal points will be awarded Sunday in the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, the last-ever race using Champ Car’s turbocharged formula and DP01-Cosworth cars.
The Long Beach weekend is being billed as a final send-off for the Champ Car formula. Indy Racing League officials wanted it to be the first Champ Car race run using IndyCar equipment, but a date conflict with the previously scheduled IRL race at Twin Ring Motegi could not be resolved.
“We expect to have a full field of DP01s running and it’s going to be a heck of a celebration,” said Champ Car co-principal Kevin Kalkhoven. “We hope there will be a great turnout to come see the DP01s for the last time and then we’ll move on to the Dallaras.”
Champ Car teams who have filed to receive the standard assistance package to join the IndyCar Series are required to enter their DP01s at Long Beach. It is believed that most Champ Car teams will not join the IndyCar Series until the Indianapolis 500; Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing, Conquest Racing, Walker Racing and KV Racing are likely to be the only Champ Car teams prepared to race in the March 29 IndyCar opener at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
In addition to adding the Long Beach race to its championship, the  IRL confirmed that negotiations are under way with events in Edmonton, Canada and Surfers Paradise, Australia. And IRL founder Tony George said the League will consider other traditional Champ Car venues for the 2009 IndyCar schedule.
“We look forward to our scheduled meeting with Australian race officials over the next few days and working towards making the Australian race part of the 2008 schedule,” George said. “In 2009, we will start with a clean sheet of paper and it really presents some exciting opportunities. I relish the opportunity for a 20-race season.”