Supercars plan to allow spectators to watch from parked cars as sport announces date for restart
Supercars will resume on June 27 with three 130km sprint races, with Sydney Motorsport Park lobbying the government to allow spectators to watch from their own vehicles.
V8
Don't miss out on the headlines from V8. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Supercars are set to follow the NRL and usher in a limited crowd for the historic Sydney season restart that will see the return of the Top-15 Shootout.
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal the sport will resume on June 27 with three 130km sprint races and a host of COVID forced rule changes which will include restrictions on pit-lane crew.
Sydney Motorsport Park is also hopeful of admitting fans into the venue with the facility lobbying the government to allow spectators to watch from parked cars.
Watch condensed replays of the 2019 MotoGP season with Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your free trial now & start streaming instantly >
Supercars will today announce the season restarting format which will see the top-fifteen shootout return for the first time since 2002.
Beginning on Saturday with a rookie warm-up, the Sydney round will consist of two practice sessions, three qualifying sessions, a top-fifteen shootout and three 130km races.
“To be able to put a stake in the ground and let everybody know that we’re back racing is a great thing,’’ said Supercars CEO Sean Seamer.
“We’re using it [Sydney round] as an opportunity to innovate. There’s been a lot of work going on in the background, we’ve been working furiously behind the scenes with the state government and our broadcast partners.
“Basically, we’ve had to do six to eight months of work at the series level to completely reconstitute a championship in the matter of three or four weeks.
“We are going to make sure that we deliver some amazing racing over the rest of this championship.”
Supercars will also announce a number of COVID for the first race since the abandoned Formula One at Albert Park.
“Supercars rule variations have been sent to teams today ahead of the upcoming Sydney Motorsport Park Supersprint,’ a Supercars statement said.
“The variations are in line with COVID restrictions. Each team will need to adhere to these rules for at least the Sydney event, which will feature three 130km sprint races. At SMSP, teams will be required to make one compulsory pit stop during all three races to change at
least two tyres. Drivers will enter each race with a tank full of fuel, with no fuel stops required.”
Team will only be able to use two rattle guns instead of four for the compulsory pit stop in each race.
“A major change due to COVID restrictions is the limitation to just six team members permitted over the line in pit lane per car instead of eight,’’ the statement said.
“In line with this, only two rattle guns as opposed to the usual four, will be permitted to be used per car during pitstops. Teams will also be restricted on what data they can receive live during each race. Access to the Supercars data logger will not be permitted until the end of the event. Brake temperature sensors and gyro sensors (g-sensors) have been removed from the cars.’’
Supercars officials will employ COVID cops to monitor for flu like symptoms.
“Teams will also be limited in their time at the circuit each day,” the statement said.
“Team personnel will not be allowed to enter until two and a half hours prior to the first session on track and must exit the paddock area three hours after parc fermé conditions conclude.”
SYDNEY SUPERPRINT
Saturday, June 27
Practice 1: 11-11.30am
Practice 2: 12-12.30pm
Qualifying Race 7: 1.15-1.40pm
Top 15 Shootout: 1.50-2.30pm
Race 7: 3.30-4.30pm (33 laps)
Sunday, June 28
Qualifying Race 8: 10.35-10.50am
Qualifying Race 9: 10.55-11.10am
Race 8: 12.15-1.25pm (33 laps)
Race 9: 2.35-3.35pm (33 laps)