JoeBob
11-04-03, 06:46 PM
http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=7359
The annals of Champ Car history are filled with names that made their way to the top of the sport by first starting in feeder series such as the CART Toyota Atlantic Championship, and CART Champ Car today announced testing rules for 2004 that will entice teams to keep that legacy alive.
The new testing incentives are designed to reward Atlantic teams that aspire to the Champ Car World Series, and also benefits existing Champ Car teams that give Atlantic drivers a chance to test the 750hp turbocharged machines of the Bridgestone Presents The Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford.
For 2004, Champ Car teams will have eight days of testing for veteran drivers and 12 days for rookies. In addition, Atlantic teams moving up to Champ Cars will get an extra pair of days, while existing Champ Car teams are eligible for two extra days of testing per car, provided that they use those days to test with a driver that finished in the top 10 in the 2003 Toyota Atlantic standings.
"We are making a commitment to the next generation of Champ Car drivers and we expect our teams to embrace the chance to aid in their development," said CART Senior Vice-President of Operations John Lopes. "We are also creating incentives for our Atlantic teams to move up, which is equally important to our future."
Rules have also been put into place that will ensure that a number of different drivers get the opportunity to test the Champ Cars as none of the drivers on the list can run more than four of the new test days. Series champion A.J. Allmendinger heads the list of drivers that are eligible for the new program along with Ryan Dalziel, Michael Valiante, Jonathan Macri, Aaron Justus, Danica Patrick, Joey Hand, Luis Diaz, Alex Figge and Kyle Krisiloff.
CART is also looking at a Spring Training-type of preseason test which would include three days of on-track action, with dates and times to be announced in the near future.
The annals of Champ Car history are filled with names that made their way to the top of the sport by first starting in feeder series such as the CART Toyota Atlantic Championship, and CART Champ Car today announced testing rules for 2004 that will entice teams to keep that legacy alive.
The new testing incentives are designed to reward Atlantic teams that aspire to the Champ Car World Series, and also benefits existing Champ Car teams that give Atlantic drivers a chance to test the 750hp turbocharged machines of the Bridgestone Presents The Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford.
For 2004, Champ Car teams will have eight days of testing for veteran drivers and 12 days for rookies. In addition, Atlantic teams moving up to Champ Cars will get an extra pair of days, while existing Champ Car teams are eligible for two extra days of testing per car, provided that they use those days to test with a driver that finished in the top 10 in the 2003 Toyota Atlantic standings.
"We are making a commitment to the next generation of Champ Car drivers and we expect our teams to embrace the chance to aid in their development," said CART Senior Vice-President of Operations John Lopes. "We are also creating incentives for our Atlantic teams to move up, which is equally important to our future."
Rules have also been put into place that will ensure that a number of different drivers get the opportunity to test the Champ Cars as none of the drivers on the list can run more than four of the new test days. Series champion A.J. Allmendinger heads the list of drivers that are eligible for the new program along with Ryan Dalziel, Michael Valiante, Jonathan Macri, Aaron Justus, Danica Patrick, Joey Hand, Luis Diaz, Alex Figge and Kyle Krisiloff.
CART is also looking at a Spring Training-type of preseason test which would include three days of on-track action, with dates and times to be announced in the near future.