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New date for Indy 500 orientation announced

The Indianapolis 500 rookie orientation programme will now take place on the opening weekend of practice for the race, after it was delayed earlier this month

The session, which is designed to allow Indy 500 newcomers to gradually get up to speed on the 2.5-mile oval, was originally scheduled for April 11.

That date was scrapped due to a bad weather forecast for the Indianapolis area, and series officials have announced that the rookie running will be incorporated into the opening weekend of track activity for the 500 on May 11-12.

IndyCar's president of operations and strategy Brian Barnhart said: "Moving ROP to opening weekend was the only option we had to give the participants adequate track time and a chance to complete the programme.

"Some teams have to load equipment for Brazil following the Long Beach event next week, and [there are] long-standing community activities scheduled at Indianapolis Motor Speedway prior to opening day."

Four drivers are currently scheduled to take part in the rookie session: single seater returnee AJ Allmendinger (Penske), GP3 race winner Conor Daly (AJ Foyt Racing), Indy Lights frontrunner Carlos Munoz (Andretti Autosport), and full-time series rookie Tristan Vautier (Schmidt Peterson Motorsports).

IndyCar also confirmed that it will try to find an additional slot for any rookie drivers who are not able to drive on the opening weekend.

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