V8s tweak 2016 race formats

V8 Supercars will run four 100km races in Kuala Lumpur's introduction to the series calendar next year.

Mark Winterbottom of Prodrive Racing Australia.

Mark Winterbottom says drivers and fans will enjoy next season's format changes to the V8 Supercars. (AAP)

V8 Supercars champion-in-waiting Mark Winterbottom believes fans and drivers alike will be pleased by more soft tyres and fewer short races on the 2016 calendar.

On Wednesday, chief executive James Warburton announced changes to the format to next year's tour in which 60km races will be removed to increase intrigue in Saturday racing.

The two short races at SuperSprint events will be replaced by a sole 120km race with a mandatory pit-stop.

Additionally, every race except the showpiece Bathurst 1000, Phillip Island and the non-championship round at the Australian Grand Prix will feature soft tyres, with each garage receiving a boosted tyre allocation from 324 to 400 a car to deal with the changes.

Winterbottom, who boasts a series lead of 399 points over Bathurst champion Craig Lowndes with just four meets remaining, said the sport would be "better off" for the changes.

"The soft tyre generates great racing and the challenge of trying to make it last as long as possible will be greater next year," he said.

"The single race format on Saturday at the Supersprint events is also going to spice things up as with a compulsory stop it brings strategy back into the first day of racing.

"The bigger bank of tyres is also a boost so on paper it looks like we are all in for a great year of racing in 2016."

While next month's Auckland 500 breaks with tradition - Saturday features two 60km races before a 200km slog on Sunday - the tour's sole New Zealand visit will be restored to four 100km races in 2016.

The first Kuala Lumpur meet will mirror that format, with Warburton suggesting more races made for more chance of success in the expansion market.

"Changes to our sprint formats will also make for more absorbing racing and four separate races in each of Auckland and Kuala Lumpur will showcase V8 Supercars on the international stage," he said.

In September, Warburton announced a switch of the Phillip Island SuperSprint meet from November to April to improve attendance at the coastal Victorian event.

CHANGES TO THE 2016 V8 SUPERCARS CALENDAR

* Soft tyres to be used for all races except the Bathurst 1000, Phillip Island and Australian Grand Prix.

* A 120km-race on the Saturday of each SuperSprint event to replace two 60km races. These will include a compulsory pit stop for a minimum change of four tyres.

* The return of the Top Ten Shootout at Darwin.

* Four 100km races in Kuala Lumpur and Auckland.

* Two 250km races at the Sydney 500.

* An increase in tyre allocation for each car from 324 to 400.


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Source: AAP



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