KEY POINTS:
The Hamilton 400 round of the V8 Supercars championship will become an endurance event next year.
Organisers have also reduced the number of available tickets by 10,000 per day, but have increased grandstand capacity and improved viewing.
Running between April 17 and 19, the Hamilton 400 will move away from the three sprint race format, which will be replaced by two 200 km races on the unforgiving street circuit.
Similar to the ultra-successful Clipsal 500 format in Adelaide, there will be one race on Saturday and another on the Sunday.
"The two longer races will definitely add considerable interest for spectators both with the effects of a longer race and also the compulsory pit stops for both tyres and now refuelling," said race director Steve Vuleta.
"It means there is a major focus on both weekend racing days while Friday's practice and qualifying will become even more critical to teams' chances.
"We believe the changes to grandstands and viewing for fans and this news about the race changes for 2009 means we can make our second year even better than the first."
Ticket for the event went on sale today.
- NZ HERALD STAFF
