SUPERCARS’ pre-race procedures at Albert Park have been altered in a bid to lessen the chances of a time-certain finish in the final two races of the weekend.
The category’s Friday race was cut two laps short of its scheduled 19 after red flags in the preceding Formula 3 qualifying session pushed back its start time.
An additional supplementary regulation now gives race management the power to shorten the reconnaissance lap for the remaining two races if the release from the marshalling area is delayed.
As Supercars does not have its own pitlane this year, the cars are released onto the circuit at the penultimate corner.
Instead of a full reconnaissance lap that involves crossing the control line, cars would simply head straight from the marshalling area to the grid, should the rule be enacted.
The remainder of the start procedure – including the formation lap – would remain unchanged.
Race 1 of the weekend on Thursday was also reduced by one lap to 18, although not due to time certainty.
On that occasion the initial start was aborted and a second formation lap took place.
The Saturday evening and Sunday morning races will be held over 14 laps each, with Ford drivers Matt Payne and Chaz Mostert starting from the respective pole positions.
