Rain curtails Wheldon test.

Dan Wheldon and Andretti Green Racing tested for nearly five hours at the California Speedway on Monday before rain arrived early in the afternoon and curtailed the Englishman's day.

Wheldon, 24, from Emberton, England, tested the new Honda Indy V8 engine, which will make its debut in Indy Racing League competition in 2003, until about 1:40 p.m. local time.

"Overall, everything is going well," Wheldon said. "I'm confident with the car. I'm learning exactly what I need to learn from this test. We are carrying on the plan that has been put in place, and everything is going according to plan."

Wheldon competed in two Indy Racing League events in 2002 driving for Panther Racing. He made his debut in September at Chicagoland, starting seventh and finishing 10th. But he was only .9387 of a second behind winner Sam Hornish Jr.

In November Wheldon was announced as a test driver for AGR, which will compete exclusively in the IRL in 2003 with cars for Michael Andretti, Dario Franchitti and Tony Kanaan. Although his current role is only that of a test driver it is widely expected that he will make several race appearances this year, especially if Michael Andretti elects to retire from driving after the Indy 500.

"It's great to be with Honda and Andretti Green Racing," Wheldon said. "We are working much more as a unit, and I'm enjoying it immensely and learning a ton. I'm grateful to (co-owners) Michael (Andretti), Kevin (Savoree) and Kim (Green) and for Honda in giving me this opportunity to work with them."

The IRL season starts March 2nd 2003, at Homestead-Miami Speedway.