IndyCar to hold just one winter test
The IndyCar Series' only major pre-season test will take place at the Barber Motorsports Park road course this winter, with the usual oval test moved back to May
In recent years the championship has held tests on both ovals and road courses prior to the season opener, but this year's calendar kicks off with four consecutive road/street courses, with the first oval date not coming until the Indianapolis 500 at the end of May.
The Barber test will take place on 24-25 February. The Alabama track has twice held IndyCar tests in previous years, and will join the championship calendar for the first time this season, when it hosts round three of the series on 11 April.
The oval test moves from regular venue Homestead to Kentucky Speedway, and will be a one-day session on 4 May, during the gap between round four in Long Beach and the start of Indy 500 practice.
Indy Racing League competition president Brian Barnhart said the test changes were designed to save money for IndyCar teams.
"The way the 2010 schedule falls allowed for the opportunity for our teams to focus their pre-season plans on the road and street course events to open the season," said Barnhart.
"By shifting the oval testing portion to in-season Open Test dates, teams have the option of keeping their equipment in road course trim until they are ready to focus on the oval portion of the schedule, including the month of May at Indianapolis."
In addition to the open tests, IndyCar teams are also allowed six private test days and can extend their mileage allowance slightly if they field Indy Lights team.
The IRL has also announced several other winter tweaks, including a doubling of the horsepower boost available via the Honda overtake assist system and a $27,000 reduction in the cost of a full-season engine lease.
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