3 x Sprint Races with 2 mandatory Pitstops... V8 SuperCars on iRacing.com V8 Supercars is a touring car racing category based in Australia and run as an International Series under Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) regulations. V8 Supercar events take place in all Australian states and territories,[1] excluding the Australian Capital Territory (which formerly held the Canberra 400).[2] Overseas rounds are also held in New Zealand and the United States of America[1] and previously in China, Bahrain[3] and the United Arab Emirates.[4] A non-championship event is also held in support of the Australian Grand Prix. Race formats vary between each event, with sprint races between 60 and 120 kilometres at some events compared to the 500 km and 1000 km, two-driver endurance races held at Sandown and Bathurst.[5][6] The series is broadcast in 130 countries and has an average event attendance of over 100,000, with over 250,000 people attending major events such as the Clipsal 500.[7] The cars used in the series are loosely based on road-going, four-door saloon cars. Cars are custom made using a control chassis, with only certain body panels being common between the road cars and race cars. To ensure parity between each make of car, many control components are utilised. All cars must use a 5.0-litre, naturally aspirated V8-engine.[8] Originally only for Ford Falcons and Holden Commodores, the Car of the Future regulations, introduced in 2013, opened up the series to more manufacturers.[9] Nissan were the first new manufacturer to enter with the Nissan Altima,[10] before Erebus Racing entered three Mercedes-Benz E63 AMGs.[11] V8 Supercars The Australian Vee Eight Super Car Company (AVESCO) -- a joint venture between the Touring Car Entrants Group of Australia (TEGA), sports promoters IMG and the Australian Motor Sports Commission -- was formed in November 1996 to run the series. This set the foundation for the large expansion of the series during the following years. The category also adopted the name 'V8 Supercars' at this time,[18] though the cars themselves were much unchanged. A new television deal with Network Ten was organised, although this had follow-on effects for the Bathurst 1000 later in the year.[19] In February 1997, Tony Cochrane and James Erskine left IMG. Together with David Coe, they formed Sports & Entertainment Limited (SEL) in April 1997.[20] TEGA would have a 75% share in AVESCO, with SEL owning the other 25%. TEGA was responsible for the rules and technical management of the series and the supply of cars and drivers while SEL was responsible for capturing and maintaining broadcasting rights, sponsorship, licensing and sanction agreements.[21] The expansion of the series began in 1998, with the first round to be held in the Northern Territory taking place at Hidden Valley Raceway. In 1999, a new street-race on a shortened version of the Adelaide Grand Prix Circuit became one of the first festival-style events which would become common in later years. Australia's capital city, Canberra, hosted its first event in 2000. In 2001, a championship round was held in New Zealand for the first time, at Pukekohe Park Raceway.[22] In 2002, the V8 Supercar support event at the Indy 300 on the Gold Coast became a championship round, having been a non-championship event since 1994.[23] Major format changes were made for 1999, with the incorporation of the endurance races into the championship. Control tyres were used for the first time, with Bridgestone selected as the supplier. The series was also renamed from the 'Australian Touring Car Championship' to the 'Shell Championship Series', by virtue of Shell's sponsorship of the category.[24] Reverse-grid races were introduced for multiple rounds in 2000[25] before being confined to just the Canberra round for 2001. Also in 2001, compulsory pit stops were introduced at certain rounds and the Top Ten Shootout was used at all rounds.[26] The control tyre supplier changed from Bridgestone to Dunlop in 2002 and the series name was changed to the 'V8 Supercar Championship Series' after Shell discontinued their sponsorship.[27]

• published: 02 May 2014
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