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V8 Supercars has confirmed that a minimum of seven pitstops will be required from each car during next month’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.
The category announced prior to the Sandown 500 that it would implement the compulsory stop rule for all three Pirtek Enduro Cup races as a solution to the fuel economy deficit faced by the Mercedes and Nissan teams.
Four stops were required at Sandown, where the Ford and Holden teams could have theoretically made it through on three.
A smattering of Safety Cars throughout the first half of the race, however, ensured that the winning car completed five stops (plus a drive-through penalty).
Bathurst has proven a six stop race for the winner over the last two years, although that was achieved with fuel tanks eight litres larger than that in the 2013-generation cars.
Regardless of the number of stops, both Nissan Motorsport and Erebus Motorsport have continually voiced their displeasure at the compulsory stop rule, which was introduced following the Commission’s rejection of the controversial E70 fuel trialled at Winton.
V8 Supercars has meanwhile decided not to alter its previously determined drop gear ratio for the Albins transaxle gearboxes at Bathurst, despite fears that a long spell on the rev limiter at the end of Conrod Straight could cause significant damage to the transaxle drivelines.
Already the tallest out of the four ratios used across the season, the gearing will be monitored during practice at Bathurst in case a last-minute change is required. It is said that the cars could reach 310km/h if a taller ratio is selected.
The Albins transaxle’s reliability has been a major talking point throughout the year, with some teams having elected to purchase an upgrade package from the Victorian firm in recent weeks.
