SUPER2 NOT THE ONLY PATHWAY

Motorsport Australia has released a revised Superlicence Point System, which will be used to determine if a driver is eligible to compete in the Supercars Championship.

The difference between the 2020 Superlicence Endorsement Application form is subtle yet substantial, as it will force many drivers to get a dispensation.

In 2020 a driver had four ways of obtaining a Superlicence, by accumulating the required 13 points in the junior categories over the last five years, have contested three Supercars rounds in five years, finish in the top six of the Super2 Series, or have international Gold Class FIA certification.

If none of these were applicable, you would have to apply for dispensation to race in the Supercars Championship.

Within the new 2021 Superlicence Endorsement Application there are a couple of subtle differences, most notably changing the word “or” to the word “and”, as well as altering the Super2 rule slightly.

To be handed a dispensation now, drivers must have accumulated the 13 points and (the notable change) one of the following:

“Contest three rounds of the Supercars Championship within the last five years, finish in the top six of the Supercars Championship, compete in at least six rounds of the Super2 Series, or have an international Gold Class FIA certification.”

This means that unless a youngster is returning from a successful period overseas, they will have to have contested a near full season of the second-tier Super2 Series or hope to obtain a dispensation.

The director of motorsport and commercial operations at Motorsport Australia, Michael Smith, explained that while the Super2 rule is new, dispensations will still be given to drivers who have not driven in the series.

“The only change we have made this year is the Super2 requirement,” Smith told Auto Action.

“I do need to emphasise that, it (Super2) isn’t a requirement, it’s just a pathway, and we understand that there will be people that will warrant a Superlicence that don’t go through that pathway.

“Of course, logic tells you that it’s the second-tier category for Supercars and therefore, it is a supercar license and that carries weight.

“But we also recognise that there’s going to be people that don’t go down that path and that doesn’t mean they won’t get a Superlicence at all.

“There’s a number of examples, Simona de Silverstro for example, she wouldn’t have qualified under any of that criteria and yet, I don’t think anyone could argue that she wouldn’t warrant a Superlicence.

“So over and above all that, we’ve still got the ability to give dispensation and of course, if someone has achieved 13 points, it’s almost a guarantee that they will be granted a Superlicence.”

Several drivers young drivers now have the required points but would have to go through the dispensation process, as they have not competed in Super2.

These drivers include former Australian Formula 4 champion and S5000 Championship driver Luis Leeds, as well as his GRM teammate Nathan Herne.

“Ultimately, he would go through that dispensation process, but Luis has won national championships, he has raced in Europe, Luis is a very high quality driver.

“They are the sort of examples, yes, they’ll have to go through a dispensation process, but I don’t think anyone would argue that drivers of his (Luis’) calibre wouldn’t be able to get a Superlicence.”

Last year Herne was not given a Superlicence to race in the Bathurst 1000 as a Wildcard with Garry Rogers Motorsport.

Supercars said it was all Motorsport Australia’s decision, however Smith confirmed that the Supercars commission has a say on the matter.

“Any dispensation is jointly approved by us and Supercars,” he said.

When asked if this has always been the case he simply replied, “yes.”

Supercars Wildcard drivers Greg Murphy and Russell Ingall will both have to go through the dispensation process, as they have not raced in the required Supercars rounds over the past five years.

However as Bathurst legends, they should have no issue getting dispensation.

“Greg Murphy will go through a dispensation process,” he said.

“I don’t think anyone would argue that Greg isn’t suitably equipped to drive a Supercar at Bathurst.”

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