Race format
Qualifiying
Qualifiying is carried out on Saturday.
Qualification process
Phase 1: First up is a draw to establish two groups of 8/9 cars for separate, individual 15 minute Qualifying sessions. Drivers will select a ball which will determine whether they are in Group A or Group B: Group A will qualify first followed by Group B (both for 15 minutes duration). Groups A & B Qualifying will normally be separated by five minutes. The four fastest cars of each session (A and B) qualify to the next stage.
Quarter finals: These eight finalists compete in a head-to-head format. They will queue in the pit lane and the first two cars will be sent off as a pair. A pre-determined gap will be maintained on the warm-up lap – close enough to entertain the crowds, far away enough so the following car is not impacted by aerodynamic factor. First car will be released one behind the other and they must maintain that formation/position until they pass the start finish line for a single flying/timed lap.
The cars will complete a single flying lap, the fastest of the pair going on to the semi-final. This is repeated three more times with four cars qualifying for the semis.
Semi finals: Two semi-final shoot-outs then take place using the same head-to-head system to decide the final two cars, which will then do battle for pole position.
Final: The two semi-final winners then go head-to-head with the fastest claiming pole position for the first of Sunday’s two races.
No refueling or tyre changing can take place during the session.
