SUPERCARS is set to make a one-off change to its Safety Car procedure for the inaugural ITM Christchurch Super440.
The narrow nature of the Ruapuna Raceway pitlane has necessitated change, given double-stacking would likely be problematic and potentially dangerous for crews.
Category management is expected to issue a variation to the rules later today, whereby the intention will be for a two-lap Full Course Yellow type of period in response to in-race incidents before the Safety Car is physically deployed.
That would essentially afford competitors a two-lap window to pit, meaning the second car at any given pit bay can wait an extra lap without being punished.
In the interim, speeds are to be restricted through the affected section of track, with single-waved yellows applying elsewhere (but not speed limited as per the full FCYs of the past).
Once the two-lap phase is complete, the Safety Car would then make its way onto the track in order to bunch up the pack for a restart.
It’s worth noting that Race Control is poised to reserve the right to instantly deploy the Safety Car should a serious incident demand such action.
The standard Safety Car procedure will return for Round 5 in Tasmania.
There will be four races across the next three days: a trio of 120km contests followed by a 200-kayer.