Mar.7 (GMM) Talks between the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) and Bernie Ecclestone to resurrect the US grand prix may NOW have begun.

Tony George, the famous Indy 500 venue's chief, told an audience at the IU business conference in Indiana this week that he is pursuing options to patch up the relationship with the F1 chief executive in time for the Speedway's centennial celebrations in 2009.

The American broadcaster Speed TV also revealed that Just Marketing, a local company, has been hired by the IMS to help find a formula one title sponsor.

Just Marketing president Zak Brown said George and Ecclestone have a "strong interest" in reuniting as soon as possible.

"If the right sponsors can be put into place, I think this can happen in 2009," he added, insisting that the interest from lucrative potential race sponsors is already "fairly high".