Testing opened up

[damilt]

teams free to test when and where they want in 2006. Two free session at Homestead and Richmond, plus a manufacturer test.

The big deal is teams can EARN THREE MORE TESTING DAYS BY ENTERING A CAR IN THE MIPS PROGRAM.

LINK:http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl...egory=SPORTS01

[bever911]

Hopefully it'll help the IPS car counts.

[AdamM]

I like the reduced overall testing days, but I think Nascar has a better policy for 2006. Eliminate all free testing days and offer a league test at three of four different types of tracks. Beyond that there shouldn't be any testing.

[damilt]

I think this is going to very interesting. The(new for IndyCar team) shop in Mooresville, NC is 425,000 square feet on something like 60 acres.

When Penske purchased that former manufacturing plant, one of the things mentioned in thier press release was thier plans for building a "test track" for thier NASCAR shops on that facility to shake down the cars. I'm guessing Roger knew this was coming and that facilitated the move for the IndyCar team to also use this track.

[step33T]

Racing-Live Story

Actually a team could earn up to six test days if they ran two MIPS cars.

[dog-ring]

I think this is going to very interesting. The(new for IndyCar team) shop in Mooresville, NC is 425,000 square feet on something like 60 acres.

When Penske purchased that former manufacturing plant, one of the things mentioned in thier press release was thier plans for building a "test track" for thier NASCAR shops on that facility to shake down the cars. I'm guessing Roger knew this was coming and that facilitated the move for the IndyCar team to also use this track.

I wonder if that would be incentive enough for Penske to consider having a Pro Series team? I do know they get the maximum out of every test they attend. I don't remember them hardly ever running in support series.
Maybe someone with better knowledge of Penskes operations could enlighten me on that......................

[Powercat]

I wonder if that would be incentive enough for Penske to consider having a Pro Series team? I do know they get the maximum out of every test they attend. I don't remember them hardly ever running in support series.
Maybe someone with better knowledge of Penskes operations could enlighten me on that......................

I remember Casey Mears running sort of a Penske "satellite operation" car in Indy Lights around 1996 & 1997. I think the team was owned by Roger & Rick Mears. Not sure of any more details, maybe someone can provide them.

[markinsand]

at least the big picture people are trying to create perks in the MIPS, bigger paydays & add'l test days for ICS is a step in the correct direction. Glad to see this. If you can't "buy into" your own series what's the point?!

[JoeBob]

Well, last year Marco Andretti raced for "Andretti Green Racing" in the IPS. Of course, that job was really subcontracted to the Duesenburg team, but the entry lists posted the same team.

Sam Schmidt has always gotten chassis for the 500 from Penske. Does Penske make part of that deal slapping the Penske name on Schmidt's IPS operation for additional testing days?

As for restricting test days "per team" rather than "per entry" here's some questions:

Do Fernandez Racing and Suzuki Aguri Fernandez Racing count as one team or two?

Could Andretti Green Racing simply have 2 cars officially owned by Michael, and 2 cars officially owned by Kim Green, and double their testing time?

[step33T]

FYI - The rule book on this isn't actually out yet!

Just the testing bulletin.

[JoeBob]

How are teams supposed to make plans to use these testing days if the rules on them aren't actually published?

Do they put a plan in place, and then insist that their circumstance should be legal later?

[step33T]

Sorry,

Just to be clear, the rule book in general isn't out. This is all part of a testing bulletin sent to the teams.

They print the general guidelines via the bulletin. The detailed specifics of how they will determine an "entry" and what consitutes a "team" will come out in the rule book, though my understanding is the bulletin was pretty clear on the basics of the deal.

And no one can use any of the initial three private testing days until January 1st (when the 2006 rules take effect). Right now, there is pretty much a total testing ban.

Bonus days can't be used until they are earned. Bonus day one would be granted after the 4th PS event of '06 - (Watkins Glen)

I'm sure if a team has any questions they can just call Brian and get an answer.

[dog-ring]

How are teams supposed to make plans to use these testing days if the rules on them aren't actually published?

Do they put a plan in place, and then insist that their circumstance should be legal later?

The teams already know what the rules are........they just haven't seen fit to clue you in or include you yet................

[JoeBob]

Oh.

Step's answer made it sound like the teams didn't know, as the rulebook isn't out yet.

Since you seem to know, can you answer my questions?

[Doc Austin]

Hey, just a thought, but how about allotting testing days inverse to finishing position in the points? Give AGR one day and Hemelgarn 20 days.