EREBUS Motorsport has the most to lose with the impending introduction of Supercars’ live pitlane concept, but remains a supporter.
The live pitlane initiative will come into effect next year, whereby the pitlane order will change in-season based on the pre-round teams’ championship rankings.
That differs from the current system whereby the pitlane order is set in stone for a full year based on teams’ championship positions from the previous season.
Erebus has spent 2023 operating from the middle of pitlane, having placed sixth in the 2022 teams’ title race.
Its Gen3 breakthrough has seen it soar to the lead of both the drivers’ and teams’ standings now, and at worst it will finish second in the latter.
That means Erebus will occupy either the first or second set of garages at the 2024 season-opener… but it could potentially lose that prestigious real estate after a single round, if things don’t go well.
Nevertheless, Erebus CEO Barry Ryan confirmed to V8 Sleuth that he remained supportive of the live pitlane.
“It’s just bad timing, we finally get up there and then we might get pushed back,” he said.
“But no, we have just got to make sure we work hard at the start of next year and be the best team at the first round.
“Once you sort of get three rounds under your belt, pitlane is set.
“If you look at this year, it hasn’t changed much – some of the teams down the back shift and change but I think after Round 4, the first three teams this year wouldn’t have changed.”
Erebus leads by 179 points from Triple Eight with two events to come, while Brad Jones Racing’s difficult Bathurst 1000 has opened the door in the battle for third.
Just 275 points now covers BJR, Dick Johnson Racing, Walkinshaw Andretti United and Tickford Racing.
It’s even closer further down the order, with 149 points separating seventh-placed PremiAir Racing and Matt Stone Racing in 10th (Team 18 and Grove Racing being wedged between).
Ten of the 11 teams will next year run to a two-car model, with the exception being BJR, which will still be permitted to group its four cars together.
