Skaife lauds 'play-on' approach to racing in 2025
Mark Skaife lauds "play-on" approach to racing in 2025
Supercars legend praises Driving Standards Advisor Craig Baird
Racing action arguably biggest talking point through opening rounds
Supercars legend Mark Skaife has lauded the "play-on" approach to racing rules in 2025, praising the impact of Driving Standards Advisor.
Arguably the biggest talking point through the first three rounds of the season has been the blockbuster racing action in 2025, with biff and barge the main course across the first nine races.
There have been big battles for the lead in Sydney, Melbourne and Taupō, each featuring contact.
In a move away from previous seasons, Baird has let drivers sort it out on track, with the new order producing some of the most thrilling action in years, and earning praise from the likes of legend John Bowe.
For Skaife, a 90-time race winner in Supercars, the new approach is working wonders.
"The officiating so far has been really good," Skaife said Fox Sports' The Formation Lap.
"We've said for years that we want hard but fair racing, and Craig Baird and the team have done a great job of making sure that we've got this play-on mentality.
"The racing has been fantastic."
Skaife labelled the dramatic Sydney battle between Cam Waters, Broc Feeney and Will Brown has his race of the year so far, with Waters beating Feeney in a breathtaking photo finish.
The six-time Bathurst winner also applauded the robust fight between Chaz Mostert and Brodie Kostecki in New Zealand, with Kostecki still holding questions over certain rulings.
The action has also led to calls to improve wheel design, with the current rim blamed by some for excessive interlocking, triggering awkward wheel-to-wheel incidents.
Baird maintains his "door is always open" for drivers to ask questions, with the balance of the field meeting with the veteran racer in New Zealand to ask questions, gain clarity and receive feedback.
"One of the best battles of the year, that was just unbelievable," Skaife said of the Mostert/Kostecki battle.
"The point that you've made about the play-on mentality, it's worked very well for us so far.
"That pass with Mostert down the inside, then returned serve, what a great pass down the inside. He couldn't quite keep it on the island, he runs a little bit wide, and they end up running into each other again."
Drivers will contest three races at the upcoming Snowy River Caravans Tasmania Super 440. Tickets for the May 9-11 event are on sale now.
