THERE is set to be a different feel about the iconic beach chicane at this year’s Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500: it will be without tyre bundles.
Track limits at the Turns 6/7/8/9/10 complex will instead be fully policed by four sensors, with an enhanced system coming into play.
There will also a sensor monitoring the middle kink of the Turn 1/2/3 chicane at the end of the pit straight.
The upgraded system will see drivers alerted immediately via their dash if a kerb strike has been lodged, as opposed to years gone by where teams would be notified and then have to pass information onto drivers.
Any lap time set in practice or qualifying will be rendered invalid if a kerb strike is recorded.
Track limits has long been a contentious matter at Surfers Paradise, with frustrated drivers last year labelling the system a “lottery”.
Tyre bundles themselves came under the microscope when James Golding slapped one at the beach chicane early in the Sunday race and triggered a major pile-up.
The change for 2023, Supercars says, has been made in consultation with leading drivers and Motorsport Australia, and will not affect the circuit’s licence.
V8 Sleuth understands there was also a desire to protect the new Gen3 front bars.
A tyre bundle will remain in place at Turn 1, at the location it was moved to last year, 500mm further back than before.
The Gold Coast 500 marks Round 11 of 12 on the Repco Supercars Championship schedule and will be held across October 27-29.
