SUPERLICENCE POINT SYSTEM ALTERATIONS

Motorsport Australia has announced changes to its Superlicence point system, including upping the points awarded in the S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship as well as introducing points to a blossoming series.

The Australian Drivers’ Championship which sees competitors racing for the coveted Motorsport Australia Gold Star, now wins a total of 12 points if they take the title. The runner-up receives 10, with points awarded down to ninth place in the championship.

With 12 points allocated to the winner, the S5000 Championship is now regarded at the same level as both the second-tier Supercars Championship Super2 and the GT World Challenge Australia Series.

Drivers must accrue a total of 13 Motorsport Australia Superlicence points before being eligible to compete in the Supercars Championship.

“While there are those in S5000 purely to contest a top-level open-wheeler Championship, it’s now entirely viable as a means of qualifying for Supercars should that be a driver’s ambition,” said S5000 category development manager, Chris Lambden.

“There are many pathways to take but S5000 makes a lot of sense for drivers especially with the Superlicence points now matching.

“S5000’s most recent relevant predecessor – Formula Holden – crowned young Gold Star champions such as Mark Skaife, Rick Kelly and Jason Bright and they all ‘did okay’ in Supercars racing after winning the Australian Drivers’ Championship.

“The economies built into S5000 result in a highly affordable series budget for a category at this level, which means there are young racers out there who can help fulfil their career ambitions by racing in a high-profile category with a reasonable level of sponsorship input.”

Motorsport Australia director of motorsport & commercial operations Michael Smith said the change reflected the changing nature of the national motorsport landscape.

“Motorsport Australia regularly reviews and analyses the Superlicence points system to make sure it is fair and in line with the current trends in motorsport,” Smith said.

“We have worked closely with a number of category managers on the changes and believe they are reflective of the current stature of each respective Championship and Series.

“With S5000, given its stature as the holder of the prestigious Motorsport Australia Gold Star title and the vehicles themselves, it makes sense for it to be worthy of 12 Superlicence points for the winner of the Championship and provide an opportunity to provide another pathway to the Supercars Championship.

“We know S5000 will continue to grow and establish a strong reputation in the coming years ahead. It’s an important part of our Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships events and is a real fan favourite.”

A notable addition to the Superlicence point system is the popular Australian Racing Group’s owned National Trans Am Series, which sees the likes of Aaron Seton, Nathan Herne and Owen Kelly dualling wheel to wheel.

The winner of the Trans Am Series will be awarded seven points towards a Superlicence application.

Both the V8 Touring Car/Super3 Series and the pocket rocket TCR Australia Series have also enjoyed a small increase, with the winner of the respective categories to receive 10 points, up from eight for TCR and seven for V8 Touring Cars/Super3 Series.

In addition to the 13 points there are several other factors that need to be addressed to enter the Supercars Championship.

Each driver must hold a Motorsport Australia Superlicence in addition to the minimum of an FIA International Grade C licence.

Each applicant must satisfy the following criteria:

• Hold a minimum of an FIA International Grade C licence
• Be a minimum of 17 years of age; and
• Accumulate a minimum of 13 points under either the FIA or Motorsport Australia Superlicence points system during the 5 years prior to the application

In addition to the above, each applicant must satisfy at least one of the following criteria:

• Be one of the first six of the final classification of the previous year’s Supercars Australia Super2 Series. If one or more driver/s currently holding a Motorsport Australia Superlicence are within the first six of the final classification, eligibility for a Motorsport Australia Superlicence shall extend up to a maximum of the first eight of the final classification of the previous year’s Series;
• Have competed in a minimum of three rounds of the Supercars Championship within the last five years;
• Have competed in a minimum of six rounds of the Supercars Super2 Series within the last three years;
• Hold a minimum of a Gold FIA Driver Categorisation.

An application with supporting documentation for dispensation for items (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above will be jointly considered by of a panel of Motorsport Australia senior management and the Supercars Commission.

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