Conquest Racing Indy 500 Rookie practice report

CONQUEST RACING’S PIPPA MANN COMPLETES INDIANAPOLIS 500 ROOKIE ORIENTATION

Conquest Racing’s Pippa Mann is one of six rookies who completed all four phases of the mandatory Rookie Orientation Program today at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Mann will be one of 42 drivers – and the fourth female – vying for a spot on the grid of the 100th anniversary Indianapolis 500. The Chase Rookie of the Year candidate was last year’s Firestone Indy Lights Freedom 100 polesitter and the first and only female to win a pole at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Pippa Mann, No. 36 Conquest Racing

“Our plan for Rookie Orientation today was simply to go out there and just work through the first three phases of the program. As it turned out, things went so well today that we went through all four phases. I actually found the balance of the car fairly similar to the Indy Lights car, so the past two years have been great training.

“It's the first time I’ve been back in a racing car since my debut IndyCar test with Conquest Racing back in March, so I'm very happy with how things went out there today. The team did a great job to put the car together. I know just how hard they have worked, so I cannot thank them enough, and I’m looking forward to getting back out there at the weekend."

Eric Bachelart, Conquest Racing Team Owner

"Pippa has done a sensational job today. It only took her 35 laps to go through the four phases of the program and I have to say this has been the smoothest rookie test we have ever done. She is ready, she gave us good feedback, and we can't wait to get back on the track on Saturday for the opening of the practice week."

Mann and teammate Sebastian Saavedra will be back on track for practice from noon to 6 p.m. (ET) Saturday for Opening Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Gates open at 9 a.m.

-source: conquest racing