Pitstops back in STCC

The STCC organisation today revealed the race format for the coming season. The biggest news is the re-introduction of pitstops. The race weekend will last over two days, starting saturday.

Two practice heats will be first up followed by a qualifying session where top eight go on to a superpole session. In that session top eight drivers from qualifying get one lap to set their time in.

On sunday the main event stars, but gone is the shorter race. Instead only one race will be done. The race will last for about 40 minutes with a manditory pitstop where the team must change two tyres. Despite the fact that the cars have five wheel bolts instead of one as most racing cars have. This mean that the pitstop will take quite some time.

– We are aware of that fact and have analysed it and done tests. The sporting and tactical moment will not be smaller just because it takes longer time. In NASCAR the cars have five wheel bolts and it is a fantastic show those team put up at the pitstops, STCC technical director Johnny Haraldsson said.

– There will be high demands on the team, but all teams in STCC hold high class and we promise that the tyre change will be done very quickly. The spectators car compare how long it takes for them to change two tyres on their car, Harldsson continues.

A maximum of four people are allowed in the pit crew when changing tyres. Another reintroduction for this season is the manufacturer/team championship. At the end of the season one manufacturer and one team will be crowned champions.