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V8 Supercars are set to become green machines and run on ethanol in next year’s championship as part of a radical proposed shake-up of the sport for 2009.
A V8 Supercars board meeting tomorrow is set to consider a raft of decisions which will have far-reaching implications for the sport.
Top of the agenda is understood to be the long-awaited introduction of a more environmentally friendly fuel, using 85 per cent ethanol, from next year.
Also under discussion will be scrapping the compulsory pit stop window during races, doing away with the current sprint race format, and compressing some event weekends to two days rather than three.
V8 Supercars officials refused to comment on the proposed shake-up today.
But they had flagged the prospect of ethanol for 2009 at the start of this year, though there were concerns how it would affect car performance, engine set-up and just how environmentally friendly the fuel actually was.
It is understood a sub-committee has been investigating the viability of the 85 per cent ethanol fuel, and results have been sufficiently promising for the project to go from drawing board to reality for next year.
V8 Supercars currently use a five per cent blend of ethanol, which is made from sugar cane.
While cars use on average 25 to 30 per cent more fuel with the new ethanol blend, the move is still believed to have major environmental benefits over the current fuel, will lower costs and could also lead to more exciting racing.
Because car fuel tank sizes would remain the same, more pit stops would be needed and different pit strategies are likely to come into play – especially if the compulsory pit stop window is axed for 2009.
Compulsory pit stops have been criticised for leading to contrived racing, with all teams tending to use similar strategies and risks rarely rewarded, especially in shorter events.
The board is also likely to act on revamping the current three-race sprint format.
Many inside the sport believe it leads to dull racing as teams drive conservatively in the opening race to ensure good grid position for the rest of the meeting.
The recent Darwin round, in which races one and three were virtual processions, are believed to have put the issue in sharp focus once more.
This weekend’s round seven of the championship at Queensland Raceway is also a three-race sprint round.
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