New Safety Car rule for Bathurst
30 Sep 2020
Lapped cars will have the ability to pass the Safety Car in a new rule introduced for the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.
Typically, cars are to maintain their track position during a Safety Car intervention, regardless of what lap they are on.
That will change for the highly anticipated 2020 edition, creating a two-fold win: Leading contenders won’t be interrupted by backmarkers on restarts, and cars that fall behind early will have the chance to claw their way back into the hunt.
The new Rule 10.2.9 now reads as follows:
10.2.9 In preparation for the end of the SC [Safety Car] deployment, the SC will:
10.2.9.1 Set the prescribed speed as instructed by the RD [Race Director] on the RMC [Race Management Channel]; then
10.2.9.2 Extinguish all the flashing lights as instructed by the RD on the RMC; then
10.2.9.3 Cars one (1) or more laps behind the leader as per Rule D10.2.2.6 will be instructed via RMC and via the timing screen to pass the line of Cars including the SC when between T18 and T19.7.
a) Lapped Cars that have not crossed the P3 timing line prior to the SC crossing the S2 timing line will not be eligible to pass the SC.
b) After passing the SC, Pit Lane will be closed to the lapped Cars until they cross the control line on the racetrack
c) If the RD considers track conditions are unsuitable, the lapped Cars will not be permitted to pass the SC.
d) Decisions made in respect of this unlapping procedure are not subject to protest
10.2.9.4 When the last lapped Car has passed the SC, the SC will accelerate away from the field as instructed by the RD on the RMC; and
10.2.9.5 Enter the Pit Lane at the end of that lap.
The Safety Car regularly has a role to play at Mount Panorama, as 1000km around the prestigious circuits takes a toll on cars and drivers alike.
Among other rules confirmed is a compulsory front brake rotor change between lap 55 and lap 120.
The 2020 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 will be held on October 15-18.
