The forthcoming Intelligent Money British GT Championship is set to see a new ruleset, effectively as a live trial for the possible introduction of a similar set of regulations across all SRO competition from 2023.*
The new regulations are designed to reintroduce a level of team competition, felt by many in the paddocks of the world to have been progressively removed in recent seasons.
The new ruleset takes a cue from DTM’s popular ‘Performance Pitstop’ where a key part of the televised ‘show’ has been the ability of the well-drilled DTM pit crews to turn around their cars quickly, enabling the drivers to take track advantage as a result of the efforts of the crew on pit lane.
Elements of that will now be introduced in British GT with points to be awarded not only for the speed with which the cars are turned around following a full four wheels, fuel and driver change stop, but also with bonus points awarded to the crew which the meeting’s judges of fact determine have the most effective style of pitstop drill.
The new FFS system (“Four” (wheels), Fuel and Style) will bring meaningful points to the Championship standings – DSC’s sources suggest c.10% of a meeting’s points tally could come from the pitstop process – Championship sources though refused to confirm that level as a norm, but could not rule it out as a perfect score.
Reaction from the paddock has been mixed:
“We have one of the best crews in the Championship,” said Barwell Motorsport’s Mark Lemmer, “Absolutely that should be rewarded but I am concerned about the relevance of judging style. It should be about results, not some kind of performance art!”
Paddock Motorsport’s Martin Plowman though was completely supportive of the change.
“We’re a relatively new team so have some way to catch up with the ultimate performance in pit lane. We can though close some of that gap by looking good as we improve. Our guys have been practicing hard and we have some moves that I think will prove popular with the judges. Kelvin (Fletcher) has given us some excellent pointers.”
SRO, ahead of an official announcement, were unwilling to comment to DSC, with an announcement understood to be due after a telephone vote next week. A source close to the Championship did confirm though that any changes would be strictly limited to those relevant to competition and counted out taking into account the feelings of the fans on the matter.
“We want the professionals to put on a real show, and whilst everyone will have an opinion on any change let’s see what the judges have to say before we put it to any kind of public vote?”
* No it isn’t – this is – as the vast majority of you have realised at some point – an April Fool story!
