Supercars exploring pit lane shake up
By Thomas Miles
Date posted: 18 April 2023
The pit lane garage positions could be shaken up as Supercars explores the concept of a “live” paddock order for the 2024 season.
Currently the positions of each garage up and down pit lane are allocated by Supercars based on the previous season’s teams championship order.
This has been the custom for the best part of the last two decades with the previous teams champion enjoying the privilege of having the final pit bay before pit lane exit for the entire season.
This year Triple Eight Race Engineering heads the pit lane and took advantage of the luxury at the Melbourne SuperSprint, where it was able to react to Erebus Motorsport’s rear-tyres only pit to help Shane van Gisbergen retain his lead in an officially wet Thursday race.
Triple Eight has had the privilege in 11 of the last 15 seasons having dominated the teams championship.
Rule D.2.1 in the Supercars Operations Manual states the pit order is locked for the entire season, but a new concept was explored at a recent Supercars Commission meeting.
If approved, the pit lane order could change at each event with the allocation being based on the current teams championship standings rather than the previous years.
A Supercars.com story reported there was “unanimous” support for the concept and a category spokesperson confirmed a shake up is being considered for the future.
“It is something that has come up as an action item for the commission to look into,” a Supercars spokesperson said.
“There is a tonne of logistical operations involved in pit lane set-up for teams that needs to be considered before this goes any further, but we are happy to look into it.
“We’re always looking for new ways to improve the racing experience for fans and drivers.
“The commission will be conducting a thorough review of the proposed concept in the coming months, with a final decision expected to be announced ahead of the 2024 season.”
A live pit order would see Erebus Motorsport jump from garages #13 and #14 to the very front, while Triple Eight will be right behind.
Under the proposed change, current championship leaders Erebus Motorsport would jump from the middle of pit lane to the front. Image: Mark Horsburgh
Dick Johnson Racing would have to prepare for a big shift, moving from garages #3 and #4 to #17 and #18.
Four-car teams such as Tickford Racing and Brad Jones Racing will be split into two-car squads like they are in the teams championship.
But this would mean team principals Tim Edwards and Brad Jones could spend much of their race weekends walking up and down pit lane with their respective two-car squads unlikely to land next to their sister operations.
For example, the Andre Heimgartner/Bryce Fullwood combination would currently occupy garages #5 and #6, while the Jack Smith/Macauley Jones crew will be at the opposite end of the paddock in pit booms #23 and #24.
For single-car setups such as Blanchard Racing Team, its points tally would be doubled.
However, these changes are all hypotheticals with a live pit order change not anticipated to be brought in until prior to the 2024 championship season if approved.
Despite Erebus Motorsport enjoying a 101-point advantage over Triple Eight in the teams championship heading to Perth, the Red Bull Ampol Racing crews will retain garages #1 and #2 for the upcoming Perth SuperSprint on April 28-30.
For more of the latest motorsport news, pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION.
AUTO ACTION, Australia’s independent voice of motorsport.
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