THERE were many stunned drivers at Sydney Motorsport Park over the weekend with a string of lap penalties dished out for exceeding track limitations.
In the past, five-second penalties were issued for limit breaches after warnings, but this time there were no strikes before the penalties were issued in the form of a lap deletion.
There has been no change to the rule, just the penalty at the first round of the NSW Motor Race Championships, and while there was a bulletin issued, most were oblivious of the change.
Track limits according to the FIA are in place because cars that pass the limit cause a safety issue because tracks aren’t designed for cars to be there.
Besides the sensors, officials were also monitoring the corners where breaches have usually occurred to decree whether an indiscretion was intentional or as a result of an error.
In the 2026 Motorsport Australia Manual, Circuit Race Appendix, Circuit Race Standing Regulations, Table 7.2 states that Exceeding Track limits the penalty is ‘Delete that lap time (and if appropriate the following lap time)’.
While the penalty is applicable during qualifying and the lap time deleted which has been the case in the past, the questions were raised on how can a lap lost be fair in a race.
A total of 27 individuals across nine categories were penalised for a combined 46 laps. Several copped multiple lap penalties and were deemed as non-finishers for not completing the equivalent of 75 percent of race distance.
One driver stated that he understeered on oil and crossed the limit line as a result and was penalised. Another was leading a race comfortably and was penalised to the point he was classified as a DNF.