Rookies earn stripes in Indy 500 Rookie Orientation Program
INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, May 12, 2011) – While many Midwesterners were completing lunch, Pippa Mann dutifully completed the paperwork for engineers and exited the stuffy conference room with a broad smile. An hour earlier, she systematically completed all four phases of the Indianapolis 500 Rookie Orientation Program and exited the confines of the No. 36 Conquest Racing car with a broad smile.
“I really enjoyed it. It surprised me how difficult it was to stay within the limits that were set, especially toward the end when we put on our second set of tires,” said Mann, who seeks to make her IZOD IndyCar Series debut in the 100th anniversary Indianapolis 500 on May 29. “I went out there and got into a rhythm really quickly because the new tires have so much grip, but was told to back it down a little. We completed all 35 laps of ROP in 35 laps so the boss (team owner Eric Bachelart) is happy.
“It was a good first day, and now we can spend some time on the car and spend some time on my fit to get at it Saturday.”
That’s Opening Day at the Speedway, when the seven ROP participants will be joined on the 2.5-mile ribbon of asphalt by any/all entrants for a practice session from noon-6 p.m. (ET). The day includes other fan events, including autograph sessions with Parnelli Jones and Danny Sullivan.
All the ROP participants — JR Hildebrand (National Guard Panther Racing), James Hinchcliffe (Newman/Haas Racing), Charlie Kimball (Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing), Ho-Pin Tung (Schmidt Dragon Racing), James Jakes (Dale Coyne Racing), Scott Speed (Dragon Racing) and Mann – completed at least three phases of the exercise. Jakes, driving a race car on an oval anywhere, will complete the fourth phase (10 consistent laps above 215 mph) any time before qualifications May 21. Hildebrand posted the quickest lap at 221.533 (on Lap 59 of his 68 for the day), while Hinchcliffe recorded the most laps (101).
