INDY 500 ROOKIE ORIENTATION PROGRAM DRAWS TO A CLOSE

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Enrique Bernoldi became the 11th driver to pass the Indianapolis 500 Rookie Orientation Program on the second and final day devoted to newcomers at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway today.

By completing the program, Bernoldi joins Australian Will Power, Jaime=Camara, Jay Howard, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Alex Lloyd, Hideki Mutoh, Graham Rahal, Oriol Servia, E.J. Viso and Justin Wilson in being able to practice at any speed in preparation for the 92nd running of the Indy 500.

Alex Lloyd of the No. 16 Dallara/Honda/Firestone topped the speed ch=rt with a fast lap of 40.3528 seconds/223.033 mph on the historic 2.5-mile oval, while Hideki Mutoh was second and KV Racing Technology teammates Will Power and Oriol Servia were third and fourth, respectively.

Toowoomba-born Power, who will head to his home race the Gold Coast In=y 300 with the IndyCar Series in October, topped the time-sheets during yesterday's opening day.

The Indy 500 Rookie Orientation Program requires first year drivers wi=hing to contest the Indianapolis 500 to compete four phases.

Drivers must turn 10 laps of 200-205 mph, 205-210 mph, 210-215 mph and=215+ mph while demonstrating consistent car control. The first three phases must be completed on the first two days the track is open while the fourth phase may be completed during practice later in the month.

As at the close of today's action, all of the rookies had completed =he four phases except Mario Dominguez and Mario Moraes, who have completed three of the four phases of ROP and may complete the final phase later in the month, while veterans Davey Hamilton and Max Papis completed refresher tests.

The only incident came just before 1 p.m. when Jaime Camara spun e=tering Turn One and made moderate contact with the SAFER Barrier. Camara was transported to Methodist Hospital for X-rays as a precautionary measure. The results were negative, and he will be re-evaluated tomorrow.

The track opens to all drivers tomorrow for practice for the 92nd Runn=ng of the Indianapolis 500. The top 11 starting positions, including the PEAK Motor Oil Pole Award presented by AutoZone, will be determined over the weekend.

The month of May festivities will culminate with the 92nd running of t=e Indianapolis 500 later this month. The event is a major stop in the 2008 IndyCar Series calendar - a schedule that is the most diverse in world motorsports.

The 2008 schedule will take the teams and drivers to short ovals, supe=speedways, and road and street courses including the Gold Coast Indy 300 which is regarded as a ‏crown jewel' in international motorsport.

The future of the Gold Coast Indy 300 was recently secured for at leas= another six years with a deal being reached with the new-look IndyCar Series and V8 Supercars Australia.

Now regarded as one of the world's iconic motorsport events, the Gol= Coast Indy 300 will now continue until and including 2013 with major plans already underway for a massive 20th anniversary celebration in 2010.

With 96 hours of non-stop excitement over October 23-26 as the Gold Co=st comes alive to the sound of the IndyCars burning up the track and Australia's own V8 Supercars scorching around one of the most famous beach-side cities in the world, the event is the hottest ticket in town.

Tickets are now on sale for the Gold Coast Indy 300 with ticket option= to suit everyone's needs. Four day Grandstand passes are available for those who prefer to watch the racing from the comfort of their own reserved seat or for those who prefer to wander around and soak up the atmosphere then a four day, weekend or single day General Admission pass might be more their style. For more information on ticket options go to www.indy.com.au. For information on Corporate Hospitality packages please call our Sales Team on (07) 5588 6800.

RESULTS: Rookie Orientation Day 2
1. #16 Alex Lloyd 223.033 mph (average speed)
2. #27 Hideki Mutoh 222.600
3. #8 Will Power 222.267
4. #5 Oriol Servia 222.089
5. #06 Graham Rahal 221.155
6. #02 Justin Wilson 221.029
7. #17T Ryan Hunter-Reay 220.839
8. #36T Enrique Bernoldi 220.314
9. #18 Bruno Junqueira 220.289
10. #22 Davey Hamilton 219.901

RESULTS: Opening Day/Rookie Orientation Day 1
1. #8 Will Power 220.694 mph (average speed)
2. #33 EJ Viso 220.445
3. #5 Oriol Servia 220.102
4. #16 Alex Lloyd 219.964
5. #27 Hideki Mutoh 219.824
6. #17T Ryan Hunter-Reay 219.175
7. #34 Jamie Camara 219.175
8. #06 Graham Rahal 218.619
9. #02 Justin Wilson 218.142
10. #36T Enrique Bernoldi 217.338

2008 IndyCar Series Points Standings - After Race 4
1. #3 Helio Castroneves 144
2. #9 Scott Dixon 138
3. #10 Dan Wheldon 135
4. #11 Tony Kanaan 129
5. #7 Danica Patrick 110
6. #8 Will Power 97
7. #26 Marco Andretti 95
8. #5 Oriol Servia 93
9. #20 Ed Carpenter 90
10. #06 Graham Rahal 88

2008 Bombardier Rookie of the Year Standings - After Race 4<=b>
1. #8 Will Power 97
2. #06 Graham Rahal 88
3. #27 Hideki Mutoh 87
4. #36 Enrique Bernoldi 84
5. #33 EJ Viso 83
6. #02 Justin Wilson 71
7. #24 Jay Howard 62
8. #34 Franck Perera 56
9. #19 Mario Moraes 53
10. #96 Mario Dominguez 35

92nd INDIANAPOLIS 500 ‏Month of May' SCHEDULE
All Times US Eastern
Practice
Tuesday 6 May 2008
12:00pm ˜ 6:00pm

Practice
Wednesday 7 May 2008
12:00pm ˜ 6:00pm

Practice
Wednesday 7 May 2008
12:00pm ˜ 6:00pm

Practice
Thursday 8 May 2008
12:00pm ˜ 6:00pm

‏Fast Friday' Practice
Friday 9 May 2008
12:00pm ˜ 6:00pm

‏Pole Day' Practice
Saturday 10 May 2008
9:00am ˜ 11:00am

‏Pole Day' Qualifying
Saturday 10 May 2008
12:00pm ˜ 6:00pm

‏Second Day' Practice
Sunday 11 May 2008
10:15am ˜ 11:15am

‏Second Day' Qualifying
Sunday 11 May 2008
12:00pm ˜ 6:00pm

Practice
Wednesday 14 May 2008
12:00pm ˜ 6:00pm

Practice
Thursday 15 May 2008
12:00pm ˜ 6:00pm

Practice
Friday 16 May 2008
12:00pm ˜ 6:00pm

‏Third Day' Practice
Saturday 17 May 2008
10:15am ˜ 11:15am

‏Third Day' Qualifying
Saturday 17 May 2008
12:00pm ˜ 6:00pm

‏Bump Day' Practice
Sunday 18 May 2008
10:15am ˜ 11:15am

‏Bump Day' Qualifying
Sunday 18 May 2008
12:00pm ˜ 6:00pm

Miller Lite ‏Carb Day'
Friday 23 May 2008
11:00am ˜ 12:00pm

Checkers/Rally's Pit Stop Challenge
Friday 23 May 2008
1:30pm ˜ 3:00pm

92nd Indianapolis 500 Sunday 25 May 2008
1:00pm US Eastern

AUSTRALIAN TV SCHEDULE
Monday 26 May 2008
ESPN
2:50am AEST

AUSTRALIAN TV REPLAY
Monday 26 May 2008
ESPN
7:30pm AEST

ABOUT INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
92nd Indianapolis 500
Venue: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Type: 2.5 mile oval ˜ 9 degree banking
Distance: 200 laps ˜ 500 miles/804.67km

INDYCAR SERIES RECORD BOOK
Defending Race Winner: Dario Franchitti
Defending Polesitter: Helio Castroneves
Will Power: Indianapolis Motor Speedway debut

NEWS FEED INFORMATION
The Indy Racing League will provide a Video News Feed during each day =f practice in preparation for qualifying for the 92nd Running of the Indianapolis 500.
The Video News Feed will include b-roll of on-track activity and sound=from various drivers following the day's activity.

Coordinates for the Video News Feed:
Coordinates: AMC 16 K22 (Note: AMC 16 was formerly AMC 2) Downlink Fre=uency: 12140 MHz Horizontal
Position: 85 Degrees West
Audio: 6.2/6.8
Uplink phone: (404) 638-2000

This week's Video News Feed schedule (All times and dates are AEST):

Wednesday May 7
10.00am ˜ 10.15am

Thursday May 8
10.00am ˜ 10.15am

Friday May 9
10.00am ˜ 10.15am

Saturday May 10
10.00am ˜ 10.15am