More time to test...
IndyCar has expanded its team testing regulations from only in-season limitations to an annual basis for the first time in PPG Indy Car World Series history.

Teams with single-car entrants will be allocated a maximum of 25 total testing days and multi-car operations will have a maximum of 40. The rule went into effect the day immediately following the final race of the season, officially beginning for the first time Monday, Sept. 9. This past year, multi-car teams were allowed 16 test dates and single-car entrants 10 during the season. Offseason testing was not regulated.

Cars may be run for commercial, sponsor and public relation events without losing any test days, but these activities must come under the supervision of CART. All other test provisions remain in effect.

ESPN, ESPN2 look back at 1996 Season
"IndyCar Rear View Mirror," a review of the highly competitive 1996 PPG Indy Car World Series season, will be aired by ESPN on Sunday, Oct. 13. The one-hour show, highlighted by Jimmy Vasser's chase of the PPG Cup and The Inaugural U.S. 500, will begin at 1 p.m. ET. A re-air of the season-in-review show is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 17, beginning at 3 p.m. ET. Also, encore presentations of the 1996 PPG Indy Car World Series races will be available on ESPN2 beginning Monday, Oct. 28. Telecasts will be aired Oct. 28-31; Dec. 5-6, 16-20, 23-24, 26-27. Each broadcast will begin at 4 p.m. ET.

Scrubbing in some new Firestones
Alex Zanardi (Target/Chip Ganassi Racing) and Adrian Fernandez (Tasman Motorsports) opened a two-day test session for Firestone tires Tuesday at Michigan International Speedway. Zanardi, the 1996 Rookie of the Year, and Fernandez were scheduled to average approximately 250 miles per day in helping Firestone with its tire development for 1997. Firestone had 10 victories in 16 events this past season. "With these tire tests, we hope to improve on 1996 and come up with different compounds," said Page Mader, Bridgestone/Firestone's senior project engineer. "At the average, we test 250 miles per day per car with different compounds. We're sure to improve on our product and we've made improvement on our product already today [Tuesday]." Zanardi (Target Reynard Honda), who ran as high as 229 miles per hour Tuesday, had a series-high six poles and three victories on Firestones this past season. "Firestone puts out great tires and we're here to help them however we can," he said. "We started out slow this morning [Tuesday] and got up to 229 [mph] by early afternoon. You get a good feel for what is going on. Testing is a very important part of our season." Firestone helped Fernandez (Tecate Beer/Quaker State Lola Honda) to his first career victory at Toronto this season. "Firestone puts out a very good tire and it has helped us an awful lot," he said. "All the information we gather we can use to help us in the future races. You can tell it has paid off. We ran consistently in the 220s [Tuesday] and I was very comfortable."

Mulligan for Bobby
IndyCar driver Bobby Rahal helped raise more than $200,000 at the recent Rahal/Kroger Columbus Charities Pro-Am golf tournament at the New Albany (Ohio) Country Club. The tournament attracted 180 participants as well as 36 professionals from the PGA and PGA Senior tours despite inclement weather. The Rahal/Kroger Columbus Charities Pro-Am makes donations to six charities in the Columbus area and has raised over $1.25 million in the past eight years.

IndyCar scholarship
High school seniors and college underclassmen from across the nation are eligible for the $10,000 IndyCar Foundation Scholarship Award. The scholarship was established in the memory of Art Lamey, who was a part of motorsports for more than two decades as a technical representative for the Champion Spark Plug Company. The deadline for application is Oct. 18. To qualify for the scholarship, which will be awarded later this fall, the applicant must be a current high school senior or college underclassman; have a 3.0 (B) grade-point average or better, which must be maintained throughout the term of the scholarship; demonstrate outstanding leadership and involvement in community services or school activities; submit letters of recommendation from a school administrator, counselor or community service representative; submit a letter that includes interests, goals and secondary education plans; reason why the scholarship is needed to continue such education; explain interest and involvement, if any, in motorsports, including IndyCar; and submit an official high school, junior college or college transcript. Tax-deductible donations to ensure the continued success of the IndyCar Foundation also are being accepted. Bridgestone/Firestone recently donated $1,000 to the cause. To obtain an application or more information, contact Steve Shunck, c/o Championship Auto Racing Teams, Inc., 755 W. Big Beaver Road, Suite 800, Troy, MI 48084. Tel: (810) 362-8800/Fax: (810) 362-8810.

Changes at Team Green
Kim Green has been promoted to general manager of Team Green in a series of moves by the organization. Green, the younger brother of team president and owner Barry Green, has been with the team since 1993 and moves from his previous position of team manager. Kyle Moyer, who spent last season as the Team KOOL Green Indy Lights team manager, will return to the IndyCar program as Green's replacement as team manager. Moyer was the chief mechanic for the team during the PPG Cup-winning 1995 season. Scott Graves, who has spent the past four seasons as an assistant race engineer for Team Green, was promoted to the team's director of engineering. Tony Cotman, promoted to chief mechanic for the 1996 season, will remain in that role. Also, Thomas Knapp has been named team manager of the Team KOOL Green Indy Lights program.