IRL introduces revised tyre allotment for 2002.

All full-time Indy Racing League entrants will be allotted a total of 183 sets of Firestone Firehawk tyres for the 2002 season, with 138 sets designated for race use, 15 sets for open tests and 30 sets for private testing.

Indy Racing League vice-president of racing Operations Brian Barnhart announced the new allotment policy as teams continued to prepare for the 2002 season, restricting the use of rubber between 1 January 2002 through to 31 October, and replacing previous Indy Racing League regulations, which allocated tyres for all events but did not restrict the number of tyres available for testing.

"These new regulations demonstrate Firestone's commitment to be a strong working partner with the Indy Racing League," Barnhart said, "We're excited about our continuing relationship with Firestone as it helps maintain an even and equal playing field for all Indy Racing competitors."

The 2002 policy pertains to all Firestone Firehawk tyres delivered after 1 January. In addition, if a team does not return its remaining inventory of 2001 tyres to Firestone by 6 February, these tyres will be classified as 2002 stock and considered part of the team's allotment of 30 sets of private testing tyres.

Tyres allocated for Indy Racing open tests are available for use only at the scheduled testing session. If a team does not participate in a particular open test, it forfeits its allotment of Firestone Firehawk tyres for that event.

Teams are not permitted to sell, trade or re-assign tyres. Indy Racing League officials and Firestone personnel will use barcode scanners to conduct random tests at all events, and tests to ensure that tyres are used only by the assigned entrant. Any team that violates the 2002 tyre allocation policy will be subject to a $50,000 fine.