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Double-wide restarts among tweaks

INDYCAR has made several rules tweaks ahead of the 2011 season, including double-wide restarts on ovals, extended track time for rookies in practice and a reduction of available tyres in qualifying

Series boss Brian Barnhart says the changes have been made following consultation with drivers, teams and fans: "We're trying to increase the excitement and drama around the events," he said. "Much of it is a response to fans' expectations."

The first oval race of the 2011 season is the Indianapolis 500, where the double-wide restart rule will come into force. It won't apply to road and street courses.

"At venues such as Barber, you have a right-hander and left-hander coming up on the start/finish line," Barnhart said. "You don't have time to get two wide. It's easier to do that coming for the initial start because guys are willing to run off-line because the track is clean. They won't do that an hour into the race."

IndyCar has also brought back the practice format that gives more track time to rookies and cars outside the top 10. They will run for the first 45 minutes of the weekend's first session, with the top 10 joining in for the final 30 minutes.

Drivers will be limited to one set of tyres in each segment of qualifying on road and street courses. They can still choose whether to use the harder or softer compound, but they cannot use both in the same segment.

"It's their choice whether they use reds or blacks in any of the three segments, but whatever set they bolt on and start the segment with, that's the only set they can use," Barnhart confirmed.

The pitlane order will now be decided by the qualifying results at the last similar (road, street or oval) venue.

"We were looking for ways to reward drivers for their efforts in qualifying," said Barnhart. "By changing the pit selection process, it provides some variety so it's not always the same teams and drivers at pit out, which can be an advantageous pit location. I think it will be really good to mix things up a bit."

The pitlane entry point will also be moved to avoid drivers who have already committed to the pit entry having to abort if a caution is thrown.

"The pitlane is technically defined by where the speed limit begins and ends," Barnhart explained. "Everything else is race track. At a track like Homestead, where the pit entrance is off the backstretch onto the deceleration lane in Turn 3, you could find yourself on that decel lane heading to pitlane and if it went caution you could not stop because you're not within the pit boundaries - the speed limit zone.

"Now, if you make the decision to leave the racing surface and head to a pit box and a caution comes out while you are within that extended zone, you will be able to stop."

*The name of the series' sanctioning body has officially been changed from the IRL to INDYCAR. The organisation covers the IndyCar Series, the supporting Indy Lights series and the Road to Indy ladder system for young drivers.

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