Supercars confirms Full Course Yellow, Safety Car changes

Supercars has confirmed changes to the Full Course Yellow and Safety Car procedures ahead of the Repco Bathurst 1000, following a post-Sandown review.

The new-for-2024 FCY regulations proved a major talking point after last month's Penrite Oil Sandown 500. Notably, at Sandown, the length of the SC/FCY periods and the 80km/h FCY/SC speed limit were questioned by drivers and teams.

Under the previous FCY rules, which debuted at February’s Thrifty Bathurst 500, drivers were given 15 seconds to slow to the FCY/SC speed limit of 80km/h.

Additionally, Race Control confirmed to teams on the morning of the Sandown race that the FCY would run for a minimum of two laps, which ultimately allowed teams to pit both cars on consecutive laps, eliminating the need to double-stack.

Following feedback from teams and drivers, and a review post-Sandown, Supercars and Motorsport Australia have agreed to increase the maximum speed for the FCY/SC limiter to 120km/h, subject to a review after Bathurst.

Teams were also advised there will be no minimum lap mandate under Full Course Yellow or Safety Car deployments whilst the speed limiter is activated.

Unlike Sandown, the 161-lap Bathurst 1000 does not have a time certain cut-off, meaning it can run into the evening. The 2024 race is scheduled to commence at 11:30am AEDT.

"Following a review of the Full Course Yellow (FCY) and Safety Car (SC) deployments at Sandown and in consultation with Motorsport Australia, Supercars advise that there will be NO minimum lap mandate under Full Course Yellow or Safety Car deployments whilst the Speed Limiter is activated," the note to teams reads.

"Deployment of Full Course Yellow and Safety Car will be in accordance with Article D10 of the 2024 Supercars Operations Manual.

"Additionally, following feedback from Teams and Drivers, the maximum speed for the FCY/SC Speed Limiter will be increased to 120km/h at Bathurst. This will be updated in the Further Supplementary Regulations."

The changes are set to remain in place for the remainder of the 2024 season, starting with next weekend’s Repco Bathurst 1000, followed by the Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 and VAILO Adelaide 500.

Track action at Mount Panorama will commence with two 60-minute practice sessions on Thursday October 10. Tickets for the Repco Bathurst 1000 are on sale now.