Rules and times: 2023 PIRTEK Pit Stop Challenge finals

The live finals of the 2023 PIRTEK Pit Stop Challenge are set to be held on Thursday October 5, with Brad Jones Racing’s two crews pitted against Triple Eight Race Engineering and Penrite Racing.

The competition, held in Mount Panorama’s pit lane, will take approximately 35 minutes, with the winner be awarded a cash prize and the Golden Rattle Gun.

The PIRTEK Pit Stop Challenge Live Finals will see the final four compete in a knockout final series — 1st vs 4th, and 2nd vs 3rd.

The winners of each semi will win through to a grand final to determine the winner of the $20,000 cheque and have their name engraved on the PIRTEK Pit Stop Challenge Golden Rattle Gun, which will be presented at the end of the grand final.

CHALLENGE FORMAT: LIVE FINALS

Semi Final 1: 11.55am to 12.00pm (1st vs 4th) 

Semi Final 2: 12.10pm to 12.15pm (2nd vs 3rd)

Grand Final: 12.25pm to 12.30pm (Winner Semi Final 1 v Winner Semi Final 2)

THE RULES AND PROCESS

Cars to be placed in position by the Teams at start line of the PIRTEK Pit Stop Challenge area in Pit Lane prior to time of challenge.

The Primary Driver is to be in his/her respective Car. The Primary Driver must not exit the Car until it has come to a complete stand still in the “slow down zone”. Failure to comply will result in immediate disqualification.

Start: Television host to start challenge with drop of green flag.

Entry to the box: A maximum of four (4) team members to push the Car into its Pit Bay for the pit stop. The four (4) Team members must be regular Team members as per the Team lists at SuperSprint events. (This distance is approximately 12 metres).

Pit stop: Car raised by air jacks and four (4) x wheels changed. 

Signalling Lights: No lights to be used for the PIRTEK Pit Stop Challenge. Gun operator to acknowledge with a raised hand or similar process.

Exit from the box: Once the Car has come down from air jacks (after four (4) wheels changed), four (4) team members to push the Car across the PIRTEK finish line. The same four (4) who pushed the Car into the box must be used. (This distance is approximately 12 metres).

Winner: Determined as the first Car of each semi / final to have the front edge of splitter across the PIRTEK finish line strip. Cameras will be used to adjudicate any ‘photo finishes’. In the case of a dead heat, the semi/final will be re-run immediately.

At the completion of each semi, the Teams pit stop equipment is to be managed/swapped by the competing teams to ensure swift setup within the window of television time/preparation. (The format of the final will change should two Cars from the same Team qualify for the final. This will be detailed to the Team prior to the final being run). 

TEAM TO SUPPLY EQUIPMENT

All pit stop equipment to be contained on grid trollies for ease of set up and swapping between heats.

PIT STOP CREW NUMBERS

A maximum of ten (10) crew members can be utilised for the pit stop including:

VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS 

The Cars are to be presented for the Challenge finals as per the Design as described in Division C of the 2023 Supercars Operations Manual. Wheels and wheel nuts are to be as per Rule C13 of the 2023 Supercars Operations Manual. 

TEAM ATTIRE

Pit stop crew to be attired accordingly, including all safety wear as required. Primary Driver to wear his / her race suit without helmet.

WASHOUT

In the event of rain during the extended telecast, the PIRTEK Pit Stop Challenge finals will be either cancelled or postponed to another event. Please note this is at the discretion of Supercars.