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I don't really know where I sit on this issue. All I feel is that the new rule will mean one of two things: the enduros will be really awesome, or the enduros (especially the co-driver sections of the races) will be really shit. Like garbo said, I don't know how this will benefit smaller teams that can't afford good co-drivers when their asking price is going to be higher.

I'm not keen on the idea either, for the main reason i find it wrong that the teams, the one's running the cars, are not being allowed to decide who drives their cars.

I like the idea as it should bring a greater number of cars into contention and as mentioned before it will give drivers of proven ability but not big $$$ a real chance to get into a good car and prove themselves. Adam Macrow anyone? Also I hope it brings more overseas drivers in for the locals to beat. I may be a Ford man but I would love to see Dale Earnhardt Jnr find a hole in his schedule for it after his test with Paul Morris.

I like the idea and hopefully we can see more international drivers. They are always saying that they would like to come race but do they show up? No. Yes I know there are reasons like clashes, manufacturers not letting them race, can't get a competitive ride etc. I'd also like to see David Brabham given another shot although even he says it's unlikely. We should like make up a wish list of the drivers would would like to see here.

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2010 - The Year That Was In Crashes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSuiFaqDnSk Watch it!

I don't know if we'll necessarily see more international drivers, as top teams are less likely to hire people without regular experience in a V8 Supercar.

888 have previously hired international enduro drivers as they give an international profile to the sport, plus they don't demand as much as the top local drivers. Given they haven't been that competitive the past couple of years, next year you would think they will go for at least one local driver. They could still go with Allan Simonsen who has demonstrated pace in the cars so would be a reasonably safe bet for an enduro drive, but Thompson, Giovanardi, Hynes wouldn't get a look in at the team.

If top teams don't go for internationals, then the best bet for internationals will be the less attractive seats, and whether or not they'll go for these we'll have to wait and see.

Have to agree with Garbo, the new rules have decreased the liklihood of internationals, or the fancied one's anyway, of coming over.

The cars are so specialised that a driver needs two or three trips to acclimatise to the cars, teams are going to need to slot in drivers who can perform straightaway alongside the main guys, in the top teams specifically, and this unfortunatly counts out the overseas guys.

A real shame in my opinion, the visiting Internationals have been a hallmark of the event since its initial running. The Europeans in particular have shown how easily they can get to grips with the track on many occasions, its just the radically different machinery we have down here these days that has caused them to gradually fall from favour.

Rule changes for 2010

For those who cbf'd reading the article, I'll detail them here:

- Saturday qualifying will be 1 x 20 min session plus a shootout. Sunday qualifying remains 1 x 20 mins. I like this rule change, creates more action on Saturdays that with the previous system.
- Practice will be 4 x 30 min sessions, with rookies (ie. Webb and Reindler) and drivers outside the top 15 allowed to participate in the first 2 sessions. There's no mention on what meetings co-drivers are allowed to use these sessions.
- Minimum weight drops 10kgs to 1345kgs. Couldn't care less.
- No compulsory pit stops. I'll believe it when I see it, cause they did this at the start of the year, then changed the rule for 200km races at Symmons Plains stating that they have to make 2 stops, then implemented a pitstop window at Hidden Valley.
- 75 litre fuel tanks for races that are 200kms or less. Can't see how this is cutting costs, but goes back to the no compulsory pitstops rule, forcing teams to pit. I think the 120 litre tanks remain for Clipsal and Sydney.
- No testing between July 31 and August 29.
- In the Fujitsu Series, sequential gearboxes are allowed, less points for reverse-grid races, and a 3rd race has been added at Bathurst, 1 on Friday and 2 on Saturday