AASA changes car number rule

The Australian Auto-Sport Alliance (AASA) has relaxed rules for vehicle numbers at AASA race meetings, which will benefit both drivers and sponsors going forward.

With immediate effect cars competing in AASA circuit racing sanctioned events will not be mandated to place race car numbers on body panels of competing vehicles

In line with AASA’s commitment to make racing more affordable, more meaningful and more rewarding, AASA is pleased to announce the new policy for placement and use of race car numbers on competition vehicles.

Subject to individual category requirements, AASA will not require and will make “optional” the use of race car numbers on the panels of competing race vehicles to allow teams to maximise potential sponsorship space.

The change will also allowing graphic designers more freedom create unique and striking liveries for AASA competition race vehicles.

With advanced digital timing systems such as transponders, the AASA believes that the technology no longer requires the need for a side number.

Racing cars will be required to carry numbers on their front windscreen and side windows if they have them. The location will be at the discretion of each team, the only requirement being they will need to be big enough to be identifiable from the racing sidelines.

For cars without windows (open wheelers) a clearly legible number will be required to be placed on the front of the vehicle.

Competitors will still be assigned racing numbers and will use those competition numbers for entering and participating in AASA sanctioned race events.

AASA's circuit racing season starts on February 18-19 with the AASA pre-season Combine at Winton Motor Raceway.

Entries must be submitted online through the AASA or Winton Motor Raceway website, click here to enter before attending to ensure a garage spot.

Marcos Ambrose - AASA Competition and Commercial Director.

“With the benefit of modern technology, the use of large racing numbers on the sides and front of vehicles is not necessary,” Ambrose said. “In modern circuit racing we are fortunate to have transponder-based timing and scoring systems which basically eliminates the need for visual aids (numbers) to identify cars.

“AASA would like to empower our competitors to use that space to increase valuable sponsorship ‘real estate’ and offer freedom to design their vehicle liveries to maximise this increased area.

“Many racing sanctioning bodies around the world have followed this trend including the commercially successful Brazilian Stock Cars and Argentinian TC2000 series in recent years.  

“AASA continue look for ways to make racing easier, simpler, and more convenient for our competitors. Enforcement of font, size and dimension requirements for race car numbers can be unsightly and annoying for the competitors to manage, especially when they are of limited benefit.

“At AASA we want our competitors to have as much freedom to design and brand their cars to maximise sponsorship value and make sure their race cars look as ‘racey’ as possible.

“We also want to have as few restrictions, rules and regulations as possible for our competitors to keep racing fun and convenient for them.

“This is an option, not a rule. Some racers love the identity of their race number, and they are free keep their numbers visible on their cars if they wish.”