Pit Stops to Improve Parity at Wilson Security Sandown 500

The Board of V8 Supercars has approved a minimum number of compulsory pit stops at this weekend’s Wilson Security Sandown 500 in Melbourne to improve parity amongst all teams competing in the PIRTEK Enduro Cup.

The Board accepted a recommendation from the V8 Supercar Commission to mandate a minimum of four pit stops for all cars at Sandown. This recommendation follows a review of the results of recent testing of E70 ethanol fuel mix, designed to deliver improved fuel economy.

The Commission will subsequently determine a minimum number of mandatory pit stops for the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 and the ARMOR ALL Gold Coast 600, which with the Sandown event form the PIRTEK Enduro Cup. 

“The Commission believes this is the appropriate method to minimise the effect of the current fuel economy variance that exists ahead of these three critical endurance events,” V8 Supercars General Manager of Motorsport Damien White said.

“It was determined that while there was no material gain in power or performance using the lower blend of ethanol fuel, a more effective approach was to ensure everyone was racing on the same basis by mandating the number of pit stops.”

Based on extensive testing and analysis by V8 Supercars, the Commission found no conclusive evidence of any material power increase resulting from the E70 ethanol mix. 

The testing of E70 by the Nissan and Erebus Motorsport V8 cars at Winton was agreed to by all team owners, and was also clearly outlined, and agreed to, by representatives of Ford Performance Racing and the Holden Racing Team.

The Commission further noted the variable results of many teams and drivers not trialling E70 ethanol mix, due to the highly competitive nature of V8 Supercars and the Winton circuit being the least power sensitive circuit in the Championship.