IPS: Teams trying new talent.

Three Indy Pro Series teams tested nine drivers at Homestead-Miami Speedway last week with no less than half a dozen IPS first-timers earning their rookie licenses.

Brian Stewart Racing, which won the entrant championship the past two seasons, put five drivers behind the wheel: Paul Guadagnoli, Brad Jaeger, Shane Jantzi, Patrick Larmour and Andre Villarreal.

Dave McMillan Racing and Part Sourcing International each tested two drivers: Gian Maria Gabbiani and Paet Hidalgo, and CR Crews and Jon Brownson, respectively.

Gabbiani, Guadagnoli, Hidalgo, Jantzi, Larmour and Villarreal all passed the rookie test on the 1.5-mile, high-banked oval.

Brownson passed his rookie test in October while Crews competed in four Indy Pro Series events in 2006, recording two top-10 finishes. Jaeger passed his test last year.

"All of these guys were turning laps in the 29 second range, which is good for around here," Indy Pro Series technical director Butch Meyer said. "Three or four of them really stand out and could be front-runners right away in 2007."

Unlimited private testing from the end of the season until February 18th is vital to teams as they look for drivers for 2007 and as they strive to develop a competitive edge on the competition.

Team owner Brian Stewart, a member of the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame, utilised the test to give an opportunity to two Canadian champions among others.

Jantzi, of Ayr, Ontario, won his fourth Ontario Formula Ford championship since 2000, recording 11 wins and three seconds in 14 races. Stewart also rewarded Larmour, winner of the Brian Stewart Racing Karting Championship. The 19-year-old from Woodbridge, Ontario, has been karting since age 13.

"That's my obligation to Canadian racing is to help out Canadians," said Stewart, who won several championships as a driver in the 1960s and '70s. "There are others out there working hard for drivers from other countries. I do it for the Canadians. Shane and Patrick are examples of guys who can benefit from this. Once you have a license, who knows what can happen."

Guadagnoli has raced power boats since 2001 and is hoping to transition to racing cars. Jaeger, a Cincinnati native, made seven starts in the Star Mazda Championship in 2006. Villarreal, a Miami native, has competed in Stars of Karting, Skip Barber regional series and the USAC Ford Focus Midget series.

"Paul and Andre, they're both only 19. They're using this test to feel out other avenues of racing," Stewart said. "With Brad, this was more than just a rookie test. I tested him last year, so this was more of an opportunity to do a proper test - make changes to the car, really see what he can do."

Gabbiani has competed mostly in Europe, including as a test driver in A1GP. Hidalgo, a California native, has competed in Sports 2000.