Rookie drivers complete Indy orientation

Briton Dan Wheldon, Buddy Rice, Vitor Meira, AJ Foyt IV, Roger Yasukawa and Tony Renna all completed the programme, which involves competing a series of four runs at pre-determined speed while showing consistent car control.

Cheever Racing driver Rice was the first to complete the programme, after officials allowed him to skip the first two stages due to his prior experience. "Nigel Mansell won the world championship in Formula One in 1992 and came here in '93 and had to go through rookie orientation," he said. "It's part of the rules. It's just the way it is. It's good to get through it. Now we can get on to testing and get on with the month of May."

Foyt IV, the 18-year-old grandson of four-time Indy 500 winner A.J. Foyt, became the youngest driver to complete the programme, putting him in line to become the youngest driver to compete in the historic race. Josele Garza was 19 years, 10 days old when he competed in the race. Foyt will turn 19 on May 25, the day of the Indy 500.

"It felt good to get this day over with," Foyt said. "I knew the whole month depended on today. This is a real tough place. I've got a lot to learn about it."

Scott Mayer withdrew from ROP after his car failed to get up to speed. He will be allowed to return after opening day of practice May 4 to try again. Two other Indy 500 rookies this year - Scott Dixon and Tora Takagi - were exempt from the rookie test on the basis of previous experience in CART. Both had the option of completing the test, but chose not to.