Format change for second AASA Nationals round

The second instalment of the Short Track Nationals sees Formula RX8 take centre stage.

Following the success of Round 1, which saw teenage sensation Ruben Dan take his second Legend Cars Australia national title, the speedway style format will undergo a tweak for the one-make Mazda competition.

While the overall winner will still be crowned national champion, and will be awarded the green and gold #1 for their car, the winner will not be decided in a winner-takes-all race.

As the RX8 Nationals coincides with a round of the category’s regular season championship, changes have been made to the format to reward those battling for season honours.

Beginning with setting the starting order for each heat race, a traditional qualifying session will be used in place of the random grid draw used for Sydney.

The field will be split into groups of odds and evens based on qualifying order, with heat 1 consisting of even positions (2, 4, 6, etc.) and heat 2 of odds.

Heats 3 and 4 grids will be set the same way, but utilising drivers’ second fastest qualifying times.

Sunday’s action will commence with a one-lap Shootout, with the running order set by points from the heats.

The driver with the lowest points total will run first, while the highest scoring driver will go out last.

Following the shootout, the final will be split into three parts.

Stage 1 will be held over 10 laps, and the grid will be set by combined points, however positions will be inverted in groups of eight – 8-1, 16-9, 24-17.

The grid for the 12-lap Stage 2 will be set by the finishing order of stage 1, however the fastest time from the earlier shootout will start on pole regardless of their stage 1 finish.

Following stage 2 is the 15-lap final, with the grid set by combined event points, and awards double points to the field.

Unlike the opening round at Sydney Motorsport Park, Round 2 rewards consistency, with the highest points scorer across the event crowned national champion.

Formula RX8 anticipates a field of over 20 cars, and the event will feature Legend Cars Australia, the Australian Drivers’ Championship, Stock Cars Australia, and AASA Tin Tops on the undercard.

Round 2 of the AASA Short Track Nationals is held at One Raceway on June 20-21.

Further event information including broadcast details are yet to be announced.