Changes made to Philip Island 500, more gimmicks

In case you thought the events at the Melbourne Grand Prix were a one off, V8 Supercars this week announced that the L&H Philip Island 500 will have a new format. Rather than the traditional 500 race on the Sunday only for the first time in the history of the endurance event, two individual races will be held on Saturday with each co-driver contesting one or the other. Teams will decide which driver competes in which race but their identity will not be known until all teams have nominated their drivers.

Adding to the intrigue will be that each car is required to complete one compulsory pit stop for a tyre change in either of the two races. Again the teams will make their own decision in which race they choose to change tyres.

“It’s an innovation that will lead to the ultimate in strategy and it will be intriguing to see what teams choose to do,� said Shane Howard, V8 Supercars Australia General Manager of Events and Motorsport.

“There will be some eagle eyes in pit lane for the first race to see who they are lining up against and then when each team chooses to pit. For the fans it will be sensational.�

The first two races are short, 15-lap sprints. They will count for only one third of the points on offer for the weekend but will decide the composition of the grid for Sunday’s famous L&H 500 which is being held at the World class Phillip Island circuit for the first time.

“While we are adding the two short Saturday races the Sunday L&H 500 remains the emphasis of the weekend and the winner of the L&H 500 will be the car that crosses the line first on Sunday,� Mr Howard said.

“But the Saturday races set the all-important grid, decide pole position and count for Championship points so in their own right will be integral parts of the L&H 500 and the Championship picture.�