Speaking of 2018…
In terms of format, not a great deal will change next season. The calendar was issued earlier this year, while stability is our primary objective for Year 2. We’ll introduce some minor tweaks on the sporting side, but not too many as the racing and spectacle were both excellent this season.
A couple of ‘headline’ changes concern the pitstop success penalties for the top-three in both classes, which we are proposing to adjust to 15, 10 and 5 seconds (previously 10/7/5). We also intend to split GT3 and GT4, which will race separately at all rounds apart from Suzuka and Fuji subject to capacity and interest. We will also introduce an official test session at Suzuka during our race week, details of which will follow in due course.
Improvements will centre around increasing our scrutineering equipment, further refining our Race Control service, and adding the ‘Shout’ system, which will further improve communication.
As in 2017 the high-spec live TV production and dedicated TSL timing system will also be available at every round to ensure the same professional environment and standards are met.
I’m sure our financial incentives will also remain popular! Next year SRO’s $400,000 Transportation Allowance is split between the first 25 fully-paid season-long entries, while $300,000 prize money will again be distributed to all full-season podium finishers in both classes. We are also looking to extend team and VIP catering to all rounds, although this remains subject to team and partner interest.
To all those attending SRO’s end-of-season awards: see you in Paris next week!