Motorsport Australia confirms new Superlicence structure
Motorsport Australia has confirmed a new Superlicence points structure will be implemented in 2024, opening up a slightly wider path to Supercars.
Scrapped is the highly controversial requirement to race at least six Super2 events, before being opened up to finishing in the top three of the Super3 or the Carrera Cup championships, imposed by Supercars for drivers wishing to participate in the main game.
The news was first reported by AUTO ACTION in January and has now been confirmed after Motorsport Australia created a new system in partnership with Supercars.
But whilst the the removal of the compulsory clause which compelled drivers to participate in Super2 has been removed, the weighting of the points system still heavily favours those competing in Super2.
Under the new system the top six Super2 championship finishers obtain 15 points, which is more than champions in all other categories with only Super3 and Carrera Cup offering more than 10.
There was a time where drivers had to complete at least six Super2 events to be eligible to race in Supercars. Image: Peter Norton
Instead drivers aged 17 or over with at least FIA International Grade C Circuit Licence will have to achieve a minimum of 15 points under the new system.
Points have been allocated across a number of national categories based in Australia and New Zealand.
Super2 is the highest with 15 for the top six, while the next highest amount on offer is 12 for the top four and top three finishers in the Super3 and Carrera Cup respectively.
A total of 10 points are on offer for the TCR Australia Series while other categories include GT, Trans Am, Formula 4, S5000, Touring Car Masters, Sports Sedans and more. The least amount of points in offer is three for the KZ2 and KA1 Karting titles.
The door is now more open for drivers racing categories such as TCR. Image: DANIEL KALISZ PHOTOGRAPHER
For drivers outside of Australia and New Zealand they will require a minimum of a FIA International Grade C Circuit Licence (or higher) and will need approval from a Licence Review Committee made up of Motorsport Australia and Supercars representatives, including the category’s Driver Standards Advisor, Craig Baird.
The previous Supercars requirement for drivers to contest at least six Super2 events or finish in the top three of Super3 or the Carrera Cup had come under fire for “slamming doors shut” for drivers competing in a number of other national categories such as TCR, Trans Am and S5000 with the latter yet to announce any racing plans for 2024 due to anger around the previously existing arrangement.
But with this now removed Motorsport Australia CEO Sunil Vohra described the moment as “an important step in strengthening national level motorsport”.
“This is an important change and one that we think benefits the sport across the country,” Vohra said.
“It was clear the previous structure was no longer working as intended and there was a need for change. Working in close partnership with Supercars, the team at Motorsport Australia has built a new licence structure to give drivers more options and potential pathways to earn points.
S5000 had been parked for the start of the 2024 season due to organisers demanding change to the Superlicence requirements. Image: RACE PROJECT
“It’s important Super2 and Super3 remain the primary pathway to develop the next generation of stars, but now this is not the only way.
“This new Superlicence structure is an important step in strengthening national level motorsport and providing opportunities for the stars of the future to showcase their talent in our premier category, the Repco Supercars Championship.”
Supercars CEO Shane Howard was “pleased” the Dunlop Series is “still key components”.
“We support Motorsport Australia’s decision to prioritise the growth and development of young talents within the motorsport community,” he said.
“It is essential for the future of our sport that we provide a clear and accessible pathway for emerging drivers to make their mark on the Repco Supercars Championship.
Carrera Cup and Super3 both offer up the second highest amount of points. Image: Mark Horsburgh
“It’s pleasing to see that the Dunlop Super2 and Dunlop Super3 Series will continue to be key components of the pathway.
“These series have proven to be instrumental in shaping the careers of many drivers who now compete at the highest level in Australasia.
“22 out of the current 24 Championship drivers honed their skills and talents through these series. This reaffirms our belief in the importance of a structured pathway that prepares drivers for the Repco Supercars Championship.”
New Superlicence points system
| Category | Superlicence Points | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | |
| Super 2 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 |
| Super 3 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Porsche Carrera Cup | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| TCR Australia Series | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Porsche Sprint Challenge Series | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| GT Championship | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Trans Am Series (ARG) | 7 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Formula 4 Championship | 7 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Toyota Racing Series (NZ) | 7 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| S5000 Championship | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| GT4 Series | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Toyota 86 Racing Series | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| National Formula Ford Series | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Super Ute Series | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NZ Toyota 86 Series | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NZ Formula Ford Championship | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| State Formula Ford Championship | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Production Car Series | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Touring Car Masters | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Aussie Racing Car Series | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Radical Cup | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prototype Series | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sports Sedan Series | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Karting Championship (KZ2, KA1) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
To qualify for a Motorsport Australia Superlicence
- hold a minimum of an FIA International Grade C Circuit Licence; and
- be a minimum of 17 years of age; and
- subject to items (d) and (e) below, have accumulated a minimum of 15 points under either the FIA (refer Appendix L to the Code) or Motorsport Australia Superlicence points system during the 5 years prior to the application
If the driver cannot satisfy criteria above it may be replaced by the applicant satisfying 1 of the following criteria:
- have competed in a minimum of 3 rounds of the Supercars Championship within the last 5 years prior to the application; or
- have competed in and received endorsement signatures from the RD at a minimum of 6 rounds of the Supercars Super2 Series within the last 3 years prior to the application.
Don’t forget the latest issue of Auto Action available via subscription here – the only place you’ll get to read the full story. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.
Latest Podcast: “The Cracks” are starting to appear on the Auto Action Rev Limiter
On the latest podcast, we talk about the bubbling issue in Supercars and why we haven’t written anything yet. But we do talk about cracking blocks on the Chev engines.
Listen to our latest episode on your podcast app of choice or here
