V8 Supercars teams will have the option of pairing their regular drivers in endurance races next year if a new push to change the current regulations is successful.
Led by TeamVodafone team principal Roland Dane, V8 team bosses have discussed the possibility of reversing a move made in 2010 that prevents ‘primary' drivers from competing in the same entry.
According to Dane, his counter-part team owners agree that the rules should be changed for the 2013 season.
If the change goes through, combinations like Sandown 500 winner Craig Lowndes and championship leader Jamie Whincup will be able to pair up again at Sandown and Bathurst.
“You should be able to make your own decisions as a team,” Dane told Speedcafe.com.
“At the team owners meeting recently, we were overwhelming in favour of going back to the old rule.
“I hope we see it changed because it's a ridiculous rule that was, really, (pushed through by) people trying to create the possibility of them winning races, and it hasn't done anything of the sort.
“Really, it should be up to teams to do what they want. What it has done is artificially inflated the driver market. It is honestly one of the dumbest things we've done, and we have the ability to undo it and do it right.”
While Dane wants the rule changed, he said that championship positions would dictate where his drivers are paired together.
“This year, for instance, if we had a free hand, we'd be splitting our drivers because of where they are in the championship,” he said.
“Sometimes you would, sometimes you wouldn't. What I want is the freedom to choose who I want.”
Speedcafe.com spoke to a number of other teams regarding the matter, all of whom elected to not make an official comment.