Pre qualifying blues

This controversy seems to have surfaced out of nowhere in the off season. AVESCO introduced new rules allowing one franchise to run up to five cars with only two to receive automatic entry. Three-car outfits, like Perkins Motorsport, must choose which driver to risk in pre-qualifying.

For the season's opening race, the Clipsal 500 at Adelaide, the top 25 from last year’s championship will automatically qualify for the event, as will two Konica Series cars. The rest of the grid positions will be up for grabs at a midweek session at the Mallala circuit.

The 25 are determined by the franchise holders rather than the driver’s own ranking; the system protects the interests of franchise holders. For example Brigg's Motorsport’s acquisition of the Fred Gibson-held Level 1 franchise gives them an automatic start, while Craig Lowndes whose driving helped earn the spot will have to battle through pre-qualifying.

Also Paul Romano will have automatic entry due to the results of the K-Mart Racing Team (who raced under the Romano franchise last season), while K-Mart’s Murphy and Kelly will have to pre-qualify.

After the Clipsal 500, event entry will be determined by current championship position.

The cumulative result of the rule changes, driver's swapping teams and franchise owner movements is that the Mallala pre-qualifying session could some of the years best motor sport with a class field.

Here are some of the likely high profile candidates;

• Craig Lowndes, multiple series champion and a former Bathurst winner.
• John Bowe, Former series Champion as well as having two Bathurst wins to his credit. Also has won the Australian title in Sport cars and is a former multiple Gold Star winner for the premier domestic open wheel category.
• Russel Ingall, multiple Bathurst champion and all too frequent runner up in the V8 Supercar series, including last year.
• Tony Longhurst, a two time Bathurst winner.
• Simon Wills, multiple Gold star winner in the CAT Falcon that has been a regular front runner when John Bowe was at the wheel.
• Greg Murphy, another multiple Bathurst winner and regular front runner who dominated second last round of last year's series.
• Todd Kelly, last start winner.
• Wayne Gardner; former 500cc Motorcycle World Champion and a front runner whenever he steps into a V8 Supercar.
• Neil Crompton, a very experienced V8 Supercar driver and has demonstrated many times he can run at the pointy end of the field.
  The copyright of the article Pre qualifying blues in V8 Supercar Racing is owned by Philip Northeast. Permission to republish Pre qualifying blues in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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