Teams receive 2015 rule updates
V8 Supercars teams have today been handed the final draft of the 2015 Rules.
The 2015 Operations Manual - with updates ratified by the V8 Supercars Commission - has been provided to teams while it awaits final approval by the FIA.
While some information on tyre allocation and compulsory pit stops are outlined, many of the bigger changes are in account of Friday's extended track time in 2015 at the SuperSprint events, to be staged at Symmons Plains, Barbagallo Raceway, Winton, Hidden Valley, Queensland Raceway, Sydney Motorsport Park, Pukekohe and Phillip Island.
Friday fans will enjoy up to 30 per cent more track time, with the V8 Supercars allocated 120 minutes of practice, incorporating time for teams to test at eight events, rather than holding separate test days away fromfans and television cameras.
In addition to extended Friday running for testing, teams will still have one discretionary test day to use during the year, as well as the two-day pre-season SuperTest at Sydney Motorsport Park.
With just one test day outside of the compulsory pre-season test, teams no longer need to be grouped with their V8 Supercars Dunlop Series counterpart for the hit-out.
Any number of additional drivers will be permitted to run on Fridays at both SuperSprint and SuperStreet events, giving teams the opportunity to evaluate and run potential co-drivers outside the Pirtek Enduro Cup. During the three long-distance events, practice will be limited to the nominated co-driver and primary driver.
After action-packed racing throughout the 2014 endurance season, compulsory pit stops have been applied for the three events, with four required at the Wilson Security Sandown 500, seven at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 and two at the Castrol EDGE Gold Coast 600.
The minimum fuel drop will remain in place for the SuperStreet and SuperSprint events.
Each car will be allocated 300 Dunlop tyres for the 2015 season, with more details to come on specific allocation for each event. Teams will no longer be required to hand back one set of tyres after Friday's sessions.
Formats are locked away for 2015, with Sunday's 200km dash remaining for the SuperSprint events and Saturday's races each running 60km, to ensure drivers fight the full distance, rather than conserving rubber as seen in some of the 100km runs in 2014. Points allocation will remain the same.
Other minor changes include:
- Kerb hopping infringements have been formalised and included.
- Minimum tyre pressure rules have been formalised and included.
- Windscreen thickness has been limited to 6mm.
- During a Safety Car restart, cars will now accelerate when green flags are waved.
- If a race is suspended, that time does not count towards a driver's continuous driving time (which is limited to enduros). Cars shown to be in pit lane on race timing will be allowed to make a driver change.
- No refilling fuel towers in races under 260km in distance.
