SUPERCARS has removed the requirement for teams to complete a set minimum number of pitstops in the 2023 enduros.
The revelation comes little more than a week out from the Sandown 500 (September 15-17), following approval from the Supercars Commission.
The rule change will see teams given increased strategic flexibility on how to navigate 500km at Sandown and 1000km around Mount Panorama next month.
Previously, Sandown and Bathurst enduros had involved a minimum of three and seven stops, respectively.
Compulsory pitstops have been a staple in Supercars for a decade, since the Car of the Future era began in 2013, necessitating a levelling of fuel consumption differences between the various types of engines.
The only requirements now are to complete a mandatory brake pad change at Bathurst between laps 55 and 120, and for each driver to complete at least 54 of the 161 laps in total at both.
Gen3 Supercars feature larger fuel tanks (133-litre capacity versus 111 for Gen2), making it possible to get from start to finish with fewer visits to the lane.
However, tyre degradation could throw a spanner in the works, given the move from the Dunlop hard compound to the soft for both Sandown and Bathurst.
All 11 teams conducted pre-enduro testing earlier this week, at either Winton or Queensland Raceway.
