» V8s: Carnage a risk ahead of double-header

The pressure will be on even more so than usual this weekend for teams around the track as the V8 Supercar series goes through an overseas double header!

As the Symmons Plain’s meeting this weekend in Tasmania creeps closer, teams are furiously preparing for two meets in two weeks, where none are likely to be able to return to their workshop for repairs. For the first time, teams will have to take the ferry ride across from Tasmania and follow it up immediately with the flight to New Zealand for the Pukekohe meet the week after.

It is an interesting logistical challenge, not only for the teams but placing responsibility on drivers to minimise (wherever possible!) damage to the vehicles.

Teams will be required to take all their replacement parts and paraphernalia from their workshops before the Tasmanian meet and won’t have access to other components before they leave for New Zealand in two shifts on Tuesday from Melbourne Avalon airport.

This weekend’s Tasmania Challenge will also mark the debut of the ‘60/60’ sprint race on Sunday, as well as double-file restarts, which has led many teams up and down pit lane to raise concerns that the narrow Launceston circuit could trigger carnage.

But newly-appointed V8 Supercars Driving Standards Observer Cameron McConville believes such concerns will ultimately prove to be unfounded.

“I think there’s a lot of extra hype because drivers don’t like change. I know that because I’ve been there and done that,” he told the Speed Café website.

“At the end of the day they’re professional, paid drivers and they’re going to have to race smart and fair. I know they can do that.

“They might not like it, but we’re in the business of entertainment and if it’s going to create some more interest form a spectator’s point of view, the drivers will just have to work together to get through.”