A key change this weekend is the addition of joker laps to the Vila Real street race, in order to add strategy and excitement to the challenging street race around the Portuguese town.
It’ll be the second time the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour has raced around the streets of Vila Real, and after a challenging but largely processional pair of races last year, WSC had introduced the rallycross-inspired joker lap to the street race this year, with the support of the FIA.
As opposed to previous categories where one joker lap has been used, the TCR World Tour race will feature two joker laps. One will be imposed during laps three to seven (unless the window is moved because of a safety car) while the second can be taken at the teams and drivers’ discretion.
The lap, which adds an additional few seconds to the lap time, gives drivers the chance to undercut slower competitors during the race by taking an alternate line around the roundabout at Turns 22-24.
“It’s something new and this makes the races become more challenging, and really engaging,” said FIA race director Dino Lodola. “It’s also good for the teams because it’s about strategy. If they don’t do the laps, they get penalised by the stewards, with either a drive-through or a time penalty.”
“Last year the races in Vila Real were not amazing, with the joker lap, teams can decide to when perform it, which adds strategy and excitement for the spectators.”
The management of the rejoin will also be key, though as with all racing manoeuvres, the rejoining car needs to be respectful of competitors on the track, just as they would if they were rejoining from the pit lane, as Lodola explains: “The drivers need to respect the driving standards and rejoin with respect to any cars that are side-by-side with them, to avoid any contact or creating any incidents.”
Picture: WSC/Fastclick-AvensImages
