IndyCar co-owner Craig Gore has clarified reports he has retired and/or quit open wheel racing, saying comments made to a local newspaper in Australia should not be taken as an official announcement that he is leaving the sport.

"I am considering myself retired from motorsport," the KV Racing Technologies co-owner told goldcoast.com while vacationing with his family near Brisbane, Australia. . "I am just seriously over motorsport - been there and done that.. I have other things to do with my time."

Gore has since clarified his comments, saying he was simply answering questions posed to him and he believed his conversation was off the record.

"I am disappointed by the reports in the media today but it would not be the first time I have been disappointed by the way media has dealt with my answers," he said in a statement posted on the Team Australia website. "I have not made any announcement regarding my retirement from motorsport. I did state that I was taking time this week to reflect upon things and my future after a life threatening illness and that if it came down to having to make a choice, I would prefer to spend time with my kids rather than go racing."

Gore underwent emergency surgery last month in England for a perforated bowel. At the time, it was thought he would not be able to attend the IndyCar event at Surfers Paradise but he surprised many by showing up. He also called on IRL boss Tony George to formally add the race to the 2009 schedule, threatening to pull out of the sport if the Australia race was dropped.

"I did state that I had considered this event to be my last if there was not an outcome that would see the IndyCar Series return to Surfers Paradise," said Gore. "I also stated that I was not using this to bluff either the State Government or the Indy Racing League into reaching an outcome." "If there is a Surfers Paradise IndyCar Series event I will work with my current partners to bring Team Australia to the event with Will Power as our driver."

Gore added that he has discussed his position in the team with fellow co-owners Jimmy Vasser and fellow Aussie Kevin Kalkhoven.