Should IndyCar have a special rookie only test?

[BuddyCarSeries]

Should IndyCar have a special rookie only test? F1 has a test where only rookies are allowed to test. It's good because teams get vital data and rookies get a chance to make a name for themselves. It's usually for winning a championship or a sponsor tie in. With the new car coming in teams will want test time, and rookies will always want test time. They could do it pre-season at Phoenix. It would be interesting to see what rookie drivers would be picked to test. It would also give drivers a chance to shine and help them land a ride easier.

[open wheeler]

I think that the series is kinda doing that at each race track this year. The drivers with the least amount of experiece are getting more practice time at each track than the vets. Chime in if anyone has more on this or if it was just rumour.

[BuddyCarSeries]

Sorry when I meant rookies I meant never started an IndyCar race in their life. A lot of F1 teams do this to drivers who've won the a F3 or some kind of formula series championship. Even though they have a few years before they could start looking for a F1 drive its a good way to let them shine and wet their appetites. I know the overall USAC Champion gets a Indy Lights drive, but why not give them a IndyCar test. Could give just a one off test to each champion of the ladder system and USAC. Maybe other teams to getting some testing numbers under their belt will choose another kind of rookie, Joey Hand, Jon Fogarty; any rookie really.

[Bob_Marley]

Teams can't afford to do the test!

[Canth]

I thought they tried to somewhat do something like a rookie test by giving teams more testing time if they also had an Indy Lights team, or at least partnered with one. The deal was that they would get an extra couple test days, with the requirement that the Indy Lights driver had to be in for at half the time or something. Does anyone know if they still do that? Most of the Indycar teams are not partnered with a Lights team, so it is a bit of a moot point, but I am now curious if that option is still in play.

[No_Fenders]

I'd prefer we don't copy F1 on everything.

Rookies shouldn't get ANY preferential treatment IMO.

[OneLuckyGuy]

teams that want try out rookies get one extra test day I believe.

[ARROWZ46]

I'd prefer we don't copy F1 on everything.

Rookies shouldn't get ANY preferential treatment IMO.

Fair theory... until some of them start driving veterans off the track with silly "rookie" mistakes. However F1's teating policy is pretty restrictive now... perhaps more than Indycar's

[stnkypete]

Rookies shouldn't get ANY preferential treatment IMO.

If they allowed more testing, I'd agree with you. But if they are going to allow virtually no testing, they need to do somethiig to let rookies adapt to the cars.

[No_Fenders]

Fair theory... until some of them start driving veterans off the track with silly "rookie" mistakes. However F1's teating policy is pretty restrictive now... perhaps more than Indycar's

Agreed, but that's going to happen regardless of testing.

Ironically, much of Days of Thunder is very true. Hate to admit that!

[irvinefan]

Since when has talent been a factor in IndyCar? It seems as if the two teams who don't need money (ganassi and penkse) wouldn't pick a rookie, and all the others need money.

[Justhalc]

Ironically, much of Days of Thunder is very true. Hate to admit that!

huh?

[BSJracing]

Ironically, much of Days of Thunder is very true. Hate to admit that!

Which part like the driver stopping the car in the middle of the race to go chase after his ice-cream eating crew? Or driving into the pits in reverse in the middle of the Daytona 500?

[Rosco]

Many years ago the sanction body would hold a rookie day, plus a driver was not allowed to do that test if he had not raced on the bigger tracks, even that did not guarantee they would receive a license, many drivers were sent home for more experience, today a rookie pays for a test with a team, usually at a private test, here there are observers watching the test, there is a big difference between testing and racing, most new drivers will go through several different tests.

[Hitokiri]

There is a lot of testing during the Indycar off season but even with all the test the Indycar fans are that particularly interested in them. I think it would be a waste of money and time. Plus many times in the rookie test many of the driver have been selected already to a certain team - it's no more then more seat time for the team and the rookie. Indycar already has these types of sessions with the team and rookies although not in huge numbers like in F1.