RECORD NUMBER OF ROOKIES ATTEND 'R.O.P.' AT INDY 500 by Bill Maloney

As expected the largest crop of rookie first-time-at-Indy drivers are scheduled to go through the rookie orientation program. Of the 22 newcomers 19 are Americans plus one from Mexico and one from Italy. The purpose of the program is to get the drivers acquainted with the "brickyard" as few if any of them have ever travelled 235mph in a race car. Just attending the two day session is not an invitation to attempt qualifying in two weeks. Some drivers may not pass their exams.

Attending the classes are:

• Michele Alboreto
• Michael Jourdain
• Fermin Velez
• Buzz Calkins
• Tony Stewart
• Randy Tolsma
• Johnny O'Connell
• Paul Durant
• Richie Hearn
• Jim Guthrie
• Russ Wicks
• Scott Harrington
• Brad Murphy
• Johnny Unser
• Joe Gosek
• Robbie Groff
• Robbie Buhl
• Jeff Wood
• David Kudrave
• Dan Drinan
• Mark Dismore