Opinion: Are varying tyre compounds a step Forward or Backwards for Supercars?

Since Supercars’ restart on 27-28 June at Sydney Motorsport Park, main talking points have frequently centred around the new tyre challenges imposed.

Teams have been forced to run only five sets of tyres across qualifying, potential Shootouts and three races with mandatory pit stops. As a result, close, action-packed races have ensued, with many smaller operations claiming pole positions and victories. However, a number of drivers, teams and fans have felt cheated of true racing. Usual front-runners Red Bull Holden and Shell V-Power Racing Team have struggled at times, with their results not fairly reflecting their cars’ or drivers’ abilities.

Furthermore, the most recent event at Sydney Motorsport Park sanctioned just two sets of soft compounds, as well as three hards, for the entire weekend. This varied from the first event, where three sets of softs were issued.

With the hard tyre being noticeably slower, many teams had to sacrifice two races to ensure one good result on limited rubber. Consequently, Kelly Racing, BJR and Tickford all found themselves making rare visits to the podium.

The outcomes have been deemed as artificial by many, with Penrite Racing boss Barry Ryan saying:

“The tyre allocation this weekend… I don’t think anybody’s a fan; it’s not real racing.“We’re racers; if we’re the best, we want to be able to win.”

Not even championship leader Scott McLaughlin seems absolutely satisfied with the new rules, despite being 107 points clear of second-placed Jamie Whincup after three rounds. He said:

“Going racing as a race driver you want to go out and win or compete at the highest level as much as you can, and our highest level today was 14th.

“It’s awesome, don’t get me wrong, it’s just kind of weird just rolling around in 14th and still winning the round.”

The strict compound regulations have certainly proved to be divisive between Supercars’ most dedicated followers – a poll ran by Speedcafe showed that 52% enjoy the new rules, whilst 43% do not. 5% are still unsure. Personally, after only two rounds, I remain uncertain. I have felt for many years that Supercars have needed to deal with the superiority shown by Red Bull and Shell V-Power. When only one race was won by a different team in 2019 (Chaz Mostert – Tickford Racing), and Race Three at SMP was the first podium without the main two since 2017, it’s a dire sign for change.

However, I think allocating only two sets of soft tyre for a whole weekend of racing is too conservative; three/four softs and two hards would be a perfect blend for a three-race event, dependent on length. As long as Supercars limit these regulations to only a few sprint weekends a year, drivers, teams and fans alike will be satisfied. It would allow the lower teams to claim one or two podiums a year, but also crown a worthy champion come the end of the season. If handled correctly, I can only see compound strategies lending to better racing in the near future. Only time will tell.