V8 Oval Series at Raceway Venray: New points system, new starting procedure
A look at the new rulebook of the V8 Oval Series at Raceway Venray reveals some changes for the 2022 season – Both the points system and the starting procedure have been changed
The V8 Oval Series (V8OS) kicks off its 2022 season on Easter Monday, and the rulebook for the class based at Raceway Venray in the Netherlands has been adapted, with some rule changes set to have a massive impact on the championship. Below, all the major modifications in the rule text are explained in turn.
One important piece of information ahead, which has been in place for many years: the prestigious EuroCup is not part of the Dutch Championship, so no points are awarded in this race. This race is only about the big trophy that every V8OS driver wants to hold in his hands one day. Therefore, the tires do not have to be registered for the race – more about that later.
The new starting process
The starting procedure is based on Autospeedway racing in 2022. The drivers will be divided into different color classes according to their skills – like in Stockcar F1 and F2 for example. In the first race, the best drivers (red group) start from the back, while drivers with few successes so far (white group) start from the front. In between there are the drivers with yellow markings (better than white) and blue markings (better than yellow). In the second heat, the order within each group is reversed, so the best drivers still start at the back.
For the final, the points from the two heats are added together. The driver who has collected the most points may start the race from first position in his or her group. Behind him, the other drivers will be lined up according to their score. With this system, the V8OS wants to give all drivers the opportunity to be in the spotlight and get good results.
As already mentioned, the drivers start in groups. Taking the first heat as an example, the white group will start in the start zone on the start-finish straight. The red and thus last group starts on the back straight in a newly established start zone. There must be around 100 meters between each of the four groups when the green flag is waved. Restarts after caution are single-file.
Less points in the final race
The points system has also been massively revised. The final gets less weight, which is why a retirement in the last race of a race day no longer has such a big impact on the championship standings. In the past, the winner of the final received 99 points, but in the 2022 season it will only be 50 points. In the final, the points are awarded in increments of five up to fifth place, so that the fifth-place finisher still receives 30 points. Up to 19th place, the points are awarded in increments of two, and from 20th place onwards, all drivers receive one point.
For the two heats, the winner will receive 40 points per race. Here it continues up to third place in steps of five, so that the third-placed driver still receives 30 points. After that, the two-step system is used – up to 18th place. From 19th place onwards, each driver receives one point for the overall ranking. The winner of the day is the driver who has scored the most points from all three races. The driver with the most points at the end of the season is V8OS champion. Every driver who completes a full lap in the race gets full points.
In addition to the overall standings for all cars, there are two categories, each with its own additional standings: The offset cars,the asymmetrically built US Late Models, form one category and the ASCAR cars, the symmetrical UK Late Models, form the second classification. At the end of the season, the top-3 in each class will be honored.
Other important information
The race day consists of three races, as already described. The two heats have a distance of 25 laps each, the final goes over 30 laps. During a race day the use of a spare car is not allowed. A second car may only be tested during free practice. As in previous years, in the event of a late yellow, the race organizers have the option of conducting a green-white-checkered finish. For this, the race is extended by two laps: green flag, white flag, checkered flag.
An old rule, but one that is very important, also plays a crucial role in the V8OS: to keep costs in check, the use of tires within a season is severely limited. In 2022, a driver may use a maximum of 22 slicks, which must therefore be registered with the series organization.
Race director Maik Barten comments on the changes to ‘Leadlap.net’: “The starting format is completely new in 2022 to give more drivers the chance to win the races. We think this is a good solution to generate more action on the track and nice racing. We have also revised the points system. The gaps are now smaller, which is why things will be tighter in the overall standings. So excitement is guaranteed until the last race day of the season.”
