Drivers approve Supercars Finals - Auto Action

The talk of the Supercars paddock is the new Finals Series that will revolutionise the sport in 2025 and some drivers already approve.

Next year the system that has determined the ATCC/Supercars champion since 1969 of accumulating the most points across a season will be removed.

In its place is a bold new Finals system where the 10 best performing drivers from the first 10 rounds will fight for supremacy across three knockout rounds at the Gold Coast, Sandown and Adelaide events.

Three drivers will be eliminated from the first two rounds, leaving four to fight for the Supercars title in the Adelaide Grand Final.

As drivers and fans took in the news, many who have been racing in the category for at least the last decade approve of the revolutionary changes.

Experienced Team 18 co-driver Michael Caruso believes a “freshen up” was needed for Supercars.

“I think it is a great approach,” he said.

“I feel like the sport needs a freshen up from that perspective.

“From what I understand it has been received very well and I haven’t heard anyone really complain about it which shows it has been embraced.

“You see a lot of young faces around the crowd and it is really important we generate that interest because they will be driving a Supercar one day.”

With the already prestigious Bathurst 1000 being the final race before the cut, extra pressure will be placed on the Great Race.

Whilst Caruso does not feel this will be felt by the co-drivers, he is intrigued to see how those in the Finals race against those that are not.

“Not really, there is always pressure on co-drivers because you are trying to fight for that ultimate goal of winning Bathurst,” he said.

“I think the biggest aspect is what implications the people who aren’t in the finals have because they would still want to win, but have nothing to lose.

“That goes back to the old days where you used to see brands form an alliance in the last few events and work with a driver to get a common goal.

“It adds another storyline for all of us to follow.”

BRT co-driver Jack Perkins cannot wait to see the iconic scenes of Newcastle 2017 Supercars finale get repeated more frequently.

“As a driver you are going to have mixed opinions due to how your year is progressing,” he said.

“If you are winning the championship by Bathurst, it is something that could frustrate you, but to be honest the amount of times we have gone to the last race and it is a dead rubber non event is a lot.

“I think hats off to them for trying something different. We often get criticised that the product is boring and now we are changing it.

“Remember at Newcastle with (Scott) McLaughlin and (Jamie) Whincup, that will be the case at Adelaide every year.

“If anyone thinks that will be crap they have rocks in their heads.”

Ford stars Cameron Waters and Will Davison already cannot wait for an exciting future.

“I think the finals concept is going to be great,” Waters told AUTO ACTION. 

“Its going to be pretty wild.”

“Change is sometimes daunting, but I think it’s an exciting new initiative that’ll spice it up,” Davison said.

“I think it puts a fascinating spin on the year. I applaud supercars for having a crack and trying something vastly different, being brave.”

Image: peter Norton EPIC Sports Photography

2024 Bathurst 1000

Practice 1: Thu 13.20-14.20 (all drivers)

Practice 2: Thu 16.55-17.55 (co drivers)

Practice 3: Fri 10.05-11.05 (all drivers)

Practice 4: Fri 13.05-14.05 (all drivers) 

Qualifying: Fri 16.15-16.55

Practice 5: Sat 10.05-11.05 (co drivers)

Practice 6: Sat 13.05-14.05 (all drivers)

Top 10 Shootout: Sat 17.05

Warm up: Sun 8.15-8.35

Bathurst 1000: Sun 11.30 (161 laps)

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