SUPERCARS GRID TO STAY AT 24

Supercars grid to stay at 24 – Photo: InSyde Media

While the new Supercars Gen3 technical regulations are designed to slash racing budgets and open the category up to new competitors, don’t expect an explosion in grid numbers.

By BRUCE NEWTON

Instead Supercars says it is comfortable staying at a permanent grid of 24 when the new generation cars fire up in 2022.

That may disappoint long-term V8 fans who remember the days of pre-qualifying and 30-plus car grids were common, but Supercars chief strategy officer and Gen3 committee member John Casey says there are logical reasons to resist expansion.

One fundamental reason is adding more permanent entries via more Racing Entitlements

Contracts (RECs) would split the income pie into thinner slices, something existing team owners would probably resist.

“The income side of it is part of it,” conceded Casey.

“But we have got an awesome product now with great racing that produces an incredible experience whether you are on the ground live or watching on television.

“I think 24 is a good number. It serves us well currently for a whole range of reasons. More cars on the track doesn’t necessarily mean better racing or a better show.

“I don’t see a massive set of argument to vary that number.”

Casey made the point the current field size could be comfortably accommodated in pit facilities wherever Supercars races, be it a permanent or temporary circuit.

Casey pointed out that even under a more sustainable financial structure teams will depart the championship. The desire would be make their replacement easier and more accessible.

“At some point teams come and go and as we’ve seen over the last few years it’s a very tall bar for a new entrant to come into the sport.

“If we can have the dual purpose of making our existing teams more sustainable and also reducing the bar for new entrants, then happy days.

“It’s not to set up a massive influx of new cars onto the grid.”

Casey admitted a pressing issue beginning to come understudy was how to transition teams through the financial challenge of shifting to an all-new Gen3 grid by 2022.

Gen2 cars cannot be converted to Gen3 and there is no plan for the two cars to share the grid initially,

“At this stage the project is focussed on the car and delivering those cost savings,” said Casey. “But the sport and business does need at some point to address the migration question.”

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