Cost-cutter rules for 2005
NASCAR will introduce complicated and controversial new technical rules for 2005 in a bid to reduce speeds and the use of exotic and expensive materials in engines. The measures will include cutting an inch off all rear spoilers and intricate measures to change gearing and reduce revs

The gear rule will be variable, changing from track to track. The controversy comes in because it is not yet clear whether the measures will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer as well.
The gear rule has been prompted by recent trends in NASCAR which have seen top teams using more and more revs on their production-based V8 engines -as much as 10,000rpm at some circuits. In order to keep the motors reliable at these revs more exotic materials have been used by engine builders and costs have sky-rocketed.
Apart from physically counting the number of teeth on gears to make sure they comply with limits for a particular circuit, NASCAR will make a data-logger which allows it to monitor engine revs compulsory in order to police the new move.
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