ITM 400: Format to speed up race action

Check out the Transtasman duel between V8 utes at Pukekohe this weekend. Photo / APN

The ITM 400 Auckland comes with a new race format. There will be two 100km races today and tomorrow, each with its own 15-minute qualifying session.

The format means there will be no mid-race fuel stops, just 30 laps of action. While there will be no-holds-barred sprint action, the format also demands endurance from both machine and driver with 400km of racing.

"It's going to be full-on. Nailing the setup of the car straight off the plane in the first practice session will be the absolute key to an overall result," said ITM 400 Auckland ambassador Greg Murphy. "Qualifying is always vital and getting the high-speed balance right is essential because Pukekohe is such a fast and flowing circuit. It's been five years since V8 Supercars have been there and there have been some significant changes.

"They will need to get to grips with that very quickly while still learning the new cars."

Shane Howard, V8 Supercars chief operations officer, says the format changes are designed for the teams and drivers to race hard and fight for every position. "With the new marques joining Ford and Holden in 2013 it was an opportunity for a change while continuing the great traditions of our signature events."

Start your engines... V8 Supercars ITM 400Auckland schedule

TODAY

0800-0830 Promoter Rides 30 min

0840-0855 GT1 8 lapsRace 1

0905-0920 NZV8 Utes 8 laps Race 1

0935-0950 V8 Supercars 15 min Qualifying

1000-1015 V8 Supercars 15 min Qualifying

1030-1045 Muscle Cars 8 laps Race 1

1100-1130 V8 Supercars 30 min Top 10 Shootout

1140-1150 F5000 10 min Demonstration

1200-1220 NZV8 10 laps Race 1

1225-1235 Britten M'cycle 10 min Demonstration

1240 V8 Supercars 30 Minute Signal

1245 V8 Supercars Pit Exit Open

1250 V8 SupercarsPit Exit Closed

1310 V8 Supercars 35 laps or 1 lap after 1355 Race 6

1405-1415 Drag Car 10 min Demonstration

1425-1440 GT1 8 laps Race 2

1435-1455 V8 Supercars 20 min Autographs

1450-1505 NZV8 Utes 8 laps Race 2

1510-1525 Harley Davidsons 10 min Parade

1525 V8 Supercars 30 Minute Signal

1530 V8 Supercars Pit Exit Open

1535 V8 Supercars Pit Exit Closed

1555 V8 Supercars 35 laps or 1 lap after 1640 Race 7

1700-1720 Course Car Rides 20 min

TOMORROW

0810-0830 NZV810 laps Race 2

0830-0855 V8 Supercars 25 min Autographs

0840-0855 Muscle Cars10 laps Race 2

0905-0925 GT1 10 laps Race 3 Handicap Start

0935-0955 Course Rides, Pit Lane Walk 20 min

1005-1020 V8 Supercars 15 min Qualifying

1030-1045 V8 Supercars 15 min Qualifying

1100-1120 NZV8 Utes10 laps Race 3

1130-1140 V8 Supercars 10 min Driver Parade

1150-1210 NZ V8 10 laps Race 3

1220-1230 Beach Hop Cars10 min Parade Lap

1240 V8 Supercars 30 Minute Signal

1245 V8 Supercars Pit Exit Open

1250 V8 Supercars Pit Exit Closed

1310 V8 Supercars 35 laps or 1 lap after 1355 Race 8

1405-1415Drag Car 10 min Demonstration

1425-1445 Muscle Cars 10 laps Race 3

1452-1500 Britten Motorcycle 8 min Demonstration

1505-1520 F5000 15 min Demonstration

1525 V8 Supercars 30 Minute Signal

1530 V8 Supercars Pit Exit Open

1535 V8 Supercars Pit Exit Closed

1555 V8 Supercars 35 laps or 1 lap after 1640 Race 9

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NZ V8 Sedans take to the track for their 2013 season finale. New generation cars race at the same time as the original Ford and Holden V8s, both fighting for separate titles
in the same race. Traditional American Muscle Cars will battle in their third and final round for 2013. A new class for cars built between 1958-78, the series boasts the likes of Mustangs, Camaros, Toranas and HQs. The fast and competitive NZ V8 Utes are sure to provide some fierce and door-banging racing in a Transtasman Challenge. Some of
NZ's fastest cars line the GT Sports Sedans grid ex-supercars against Transams, V8s against Turbos.

Click below for the full map of Pukekohe Park Raceway this weekend.