Secret Porsche revealed!(Competition)

Look out, Chevrolet and Aston Martin: AutoWeek's Stuttgart sources say Porsche is plotting a return to the GT1 sports car ranks with a new mid-engined race car. Those sources also claim the company plans to build a limited number of road-going versions of the two-seater, revealed here in internal drawings leaked from Porsche's Weissach R&D center. The program is headed by the Porsche motorsport department, the same team responsible for the recently introduced 997 GT3.

The new, as yet unnamed model boasts design elements from the discontinued Carrera GT. Engine plans remain under wraps, but the car will likely use an improved version of the Carrera GT's high-revving 5.8-liter V10, mated to a new double-clutch gearbox.

- GREG KABLE

USGP still alive

The strong turnout for the recent U.S. Grand Prix, estimated at more than 100,000 spectators, has reinforced the opinions of Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials that there is still a market for Formula One in the United States.

Based on what happened last year with Michelin, IMS president Joie Chitwood wasn't sure what to expect from this year's crowd until he saw the infield viewing mounds filling up early on race morning. Chitwood said he didn't think last year's problems "hurt one bit.'' If anything, it heightened interest, he said.

IMS owner Tony George said he plans to travel to London in the coming weeks to discuss a new contract with F1's Bernie Ecclestone. George wants F1 to return, provided Ecclestone's price is right.