[NZV8] F1 tyre strategy for NZ V8's
Radisich reveals F1 style tyre strategy for races
9 November, 2011
Paul Radisich, V8 SuperTourers new CEO, today announced an exciting new F1-inspired tyre strategy for the four sprint rounds of next year V8 SuperTourers Championship Series.
The idea will inject further excitement into what is already shaping up to be the most exhilarating race series for Kiwi spectators and drivers in decades.
At the first sprint round competitors can buy two sets of Hankook's F200 softer "Option" tyres and one set of their harder "Prime" tyre. Tyres will be colour coded so spectators can see at a glance what each competitor is running.
The bright red side-walled softer Option tyre must be used at some stage during the 20 minute qualifying session shortly after the lunch interval on the Saturday afternoon. At some stage over the three races held during the weekend however, the harder "Prime" tyre must also be used – but just when that will be is down to the drivers and teams.
At each of the three subsequent Sprint race rounds, competitors will only be able to purchase one set of both the Softer "Option" Tyre, and the harder "Prime " tyre, which will add even more intrigue to the races as competitors will have a mix of old and new soft tyres at their disposal as well as the new hard tyres, which again must be used at some stage during a race. Competitors cannot use both Option and Prime compound tyres at the same time.
Radisich explained that the carefully evaluated tyre rule has been designed primarily to make the racing even closer and more unpredictable with tyre choice over the weekend by the drivers and teams – especially when to use the hard tyres - adding another dimension to race strategy.
"The the only exception to the rule will be the intervention of the 'Rain Gods' which, depending on the weather forecast for both Saturday and Sunday, may throw a further curve ball at the teams,” he said. “It will not stop the cream from rising to the top but it will spice up the racing and add huge interest for spectators, as has been the case with a similar rule in Formula One," he added.
V8Supertourers regulations do not permit mid-race pit stops other than to repair damage, change a punctured tyre, or on the grounds of safety, so the teams have to live with their chosen tyre strategy for the length of each race.
The four round, V8ST Sprint Championship Series begins with Round 1 on 17/18/19 February at Auckland's Hampton Downs race circuit.
Series calendar (All dates 2012)
Sprint Championship
ROUND 1 - February 17/18/19
Hampton Downs Motorsport Park North Waikato
ROUND 2 - April 7/8 (Easter)
Powerbuilt Tools Raceway Christchurch
ROUND 3 - April 27/28/29
Manfeild Autocourse Feilding
ROUND 4 - June 1-2-3 (Queens Birthday Weekend)
Hampton Downs Motorsport Park North Waikato
MID WINTER BREAK
Endurance Championship
ROUND 5 - August 10/11/12
Taupo Motorsport Park
ROUND 6 - September 21/22/23
Hampton Downs Motorsport Park North Waikato
ROUND 7 (FINAL) - October 26/27/28
Powerbuilt Tools Raceway Christchurch
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