DETROIT (Nov. 8, 1996) – IndyCar will play host to its second annual Spring Training from Jan. 30 through Feb.1 at the Metro-Dade Homestead Motorsports Complex.

The three-day event will serve as a preseason tuneup for more than two dozen drivers looking to gain an early edge in the pursuit of the 1997 PPG Cup championship. The contingent, which will include such stars as PPG Cup champion Jimmy Vasser, Al Unser Jr., Michael Andretti, Bobby Rahal and 1996 Rookie of the Year Alex Zanardi, will spend the three days in Homestead, Fla. testing its packages for the upcoming season on the complex’s 1.527-mile oval.

Spring Training also will allow the national media an early opportunity to gather an array of interviews in preparation for the 1997 season. Several press conferences featuring announcements for the upcoming season are scheduled and the relaxed testing schedule allows for numerous opportunities to converse with the stars of Indy car racing for more extended periods of time. There also is a kickoff reception scheduled for the media.

The media activity begins Thursday, Jan. 30, with a press conference scheduled from 12:45-1:15 p.m. Following tech inspection of the cars and PPG Pace Car track activities, the PPG Cup teams will debut with the inaugural test session that runs from 3-4:30 p.m.

The schedule will expand to a pair of daily test sessions, which translates into 6˝ hours of available track time for the teams, during the final two days. On Friday, Jan. 31, and Saturday, Feb. 1., open test sessions will be run from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 2:30-5:30 p.m.; PPG Pace Car activities from 12:35-1:05 p.m. and 1:45-2:15 p.m.; and press conferences from 12:45-2:15 p.m.

The media reception will be held on Friday, Jan. 31, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at an on-track site to be determined.

The inaugural Spring Training debuted in February at Homestead and the unique motorsports event proved highly successful for the competitors, media and fans.

The 1997 Spring Training will prepare the teams for the season-opening Marlboro Grand Prix of Miami, presented by Toyota, on March 2 at the Metro-Dade Homestead Motorsports Complex.