V8 Supercars has announced that the format of the Clipsal 500 will be changed to accommodate the want or need for twilight racing, especially in the view of the Seven Network.
The format changes will include splitting the 250 kilometre race on Saturday into two 125 kilometre races, with the races starting at 3:30pm and 6:30pm local time, and having a qualifying session, and a Top 10 shootout, along with the 250 kilometre race on the Sunday.
It is unclear, however, whether there will be one or two qualifying sessions for the two Saturday races.
Clipsal 500 CEO, Mark Warren said the new format will create more excitement, drama, and closer competition.
“With the new racing format, fans will get to see two V8 Supercar race starts, two finishes, and the drivers going flat out with valuable Championship points awarded for each 125 kilometre race on Saturday afternoon and evening. Next year’s race will also see the debut of Volvo into the competition which is another first for Adelaide,” he said.
This is supported by South Australia’s Minister for Tourism, Leon Bignell, who has congratulated the SA Motor Sport Board and V8 Supercars for these changes.
“I would like to congratulate the SA Motor Sport Board and the V8 Supercars organisation for making these great changes to next year’s format,” he said.
V8 Supercars CEO James Warburton said on the V8 Supercars website that these changes set the tone for the 2014 V8 Supercars season.
“It’s appropriate that the mighty Clipsal 500 sets the tone for the 2014 season, as it has done for the last 16 years. The Clipsal 500 is without doubt one of this country’s most successful and remarkable entertainment events,” he said.
However, I believe that this title as one of Australia’s most successful events is under undue threat to the event format being changed in a drastic fashion.
While I don’t have a big problem with twilight racing, the change in the format in splitting the 250 kilometres on Saturday in half is one decision I do not agree with, and it is one that has the ability to tarnish the history and prestige of this event.
The Clipsal 500 is an event that has been renowned for its brutality, the heat, the endurance, and more importantly its unique drama.
With these changes, this event will lose a large chunk of its identity, which has seen motorsport throughout the world, including the voice of Formula 1, Murray Walker come out to watch this great event.
The Clipsal 500, V8 Supercars and the fans of the sport will regret these changes, and will want to return to the normal event format that we have become to know about as the Clipsal 500.
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