Educational Material

Statistics

top1.1 Roll Cage, Fire Extinguisher and Net Windows: V8 Supercar: All V8 Supercars are fitted with a roll cage which stops the car from crumpling in an accident. Nets are attached to plastic windows to avoid shattering and keep the driver in the car if it rolls. Fire extinguishers are also attached.; Road Car: Street cars do not have these things fitted.

top1.2 Seats and Seatbelts: V8 Supercar: Drivers are securely strapped into a V8 Supercar using a 6-point harness. Two straps harness their shoulders, two harness their waist and the final two strap around their inner thighs to the lap belt. V8 Supercars only have 1 seat for the driver.; Road Car: Street cars have a three point retractable seat belt which sits across the lap and shoulder. An average car generally has at least 5 seats.

top1.3 Airbags: V8 Supercar: A V8 Supercar does not have any air bags. Drivers rely on the safety equipment that they wear and safety equipment that is built into the car.; Road Car: A street car can have anywhere between 0-10 airbags.

top1.4 Brake Disks: V8 Supercar: Front: AP Racing 6 Piston callipers with control Alcon 375mm ventilated discs
Rear: AP Racing 4 piston callipers with control Alcon 340mm ventilated discs; Road Car:
Four wheel disc.
Ventilated discs – front and rear
Twin piston front alloy calliper
Single piston alloy rear calliper*
(*When compared to a Holden V8 Commodore)

top1.5 Suspension: V8 Supercar:
Front: Holden Racing Team developed double wishbone designed for racing with adjustable camber. Cockpit adjustable front roll bar.
Rear: Holden Racing Team developed. Location by four-link parallel arms and Watts link. Cockpit adjustable rear anti roll bar. **
(**When compared to a HSV Dealer Team V8 Supercar - Commodore VE); Road Car:
Front: Direct acting stabiliser bar. Coil spring
Rear: Multi-Link independent Rear Suspension (IRS). Coil spring. Stabiliser bar.*
(*When compared to a Holden V8 Commodore)

top1.6 Fuel: V8 Supercar: V8 Supercars only use 98 Octane control fuel as they specifically tuned to operate on this blend.; Road Car: Type of fuel used in a street car is based on the fuel best suited to the vehicle.

top1.7 Servicing: V8 Supercar: V8 Supercars are stripped down and checked thoroughly after each race meeting.; Road Car:
Recommended on average every 15,000km or every 12 months*
(*When compared to a Holden V8 Commodore)

top1.8 Vehicle Registration: V8 Supercar: V8 Supercars must be registered with CAMS and comply with the V8 Supercar Technical rules.; Road Car: All motor vehicles travelling on Australian roads must be registered with their State transport authority.

top2.1 Safety Gear Worn: V8 Supercar: V8 Supercar drivers wear a 3-layer Nomax fire suit, fireproof underwear, balaclava, gloves, boots, Helmet and a HANS ® device (head and neck support device).; Road Car: It is recommended that flat, thin soled shoes be worn.

top2.2 Age Start Driving: V8 Supercar: Drivers may start racing as young as 5 years old, often working through various categories of racing such as kart racing before becoming V8 Supercar drivers.; Road Car: Generally you must be at least 16 years of age before you can drive on your learners, and 17 before getting a permit.

top2.3 Licence Prerequisites: V8 Supercar: It is a condition of driving in a V8 Supercar that you undergo medical examination prior to licence approval. A V8 Supercar Driver must be at least 17 years of age when competing in Championship events.; Road Car:
Driver licence holders aren’t required to undergo medical examination, however they are required to report any medical conditions that may impair their driving. Generally drivers are granted their Permit licence at 17***
(*** QLD – at least 16 years of age for Learners. Permit at least 17 years (12 months on Learners)
SA – 16 for Learners. 16 years 6 months for Permit (6 months on Learners)
NSW – at least 17 years (12 months on Learners)
WA – 16 years and 6 months
TAS – 16 years Learners. 17 years Permit
NT- 16 years for Learners. 16 years 6 months Permit
ACT- 15 years and 9 months for Learners. 17 years Permit)

top2.4 Licence Types: V8 Supercar: A V8 Supercar Driver must hold a CAMS International and National licence to compete overseas and in Australia.; Road Car: To drive your vehicle on the road independently you must have either a Permit licence or Open (full) licence.

top3.1 Circuit v Road: V8 Supercar: Drivers and teams study each circuit in advance to understand each turn and bend. All cars travel in the one direction and circuits are fitted with safety elements like sand breaks and tyre walls to help soften impact when the cars come off the circuit. Safety marshals, firemen and women, and medical teams are ready to act during each event.; Road Car: There are many obstacles on the road such as other traffic and pedestrians for drivers to deal with. There are also very few safety elements and it takes time for safety personnel to arrive at an accident scene.

top3.2 Speed Limit: V8 Supercar: There is no speed limit on a V8 Supercar circuit. A V8 Supercar can reach speeds up to 298km/h.; Road Car: The maximum speed limit in Australia is 110km/h, with the average street car unable to go past 193k/ph.

top3.3 Distance Behind the Car in Front of You: V8 Supercar: There is no legal distance in which a V8 Supercar driver has to be behind another driver – cars can actually be touching one another.; Road Car: A car should drive at least 2 seconds behind the vehicle in front – this distance should be doubled in poor conditions.