Points, qualifying in shake-up for 07

The almost annual change to the points system will continues in 2007, with changes both to the format and how the total points will be calculated over the season. For the second time in recent years, the 'drop your worst round' format will be discarded.

In a much bigger change, only the top 15 drivers in each race will score points, rather than every classified driver. These points will be distributed in the following manner for the single race events, from first to fifteenth: 72, 60, 51, 45, 39, 36, 33, 30, 27, 24, 18, 15, 12, 9, 6.

For two race events, these amounts will be halved for each race (36 through to 3 points) while for three race events, it will be a third for each race (24 through to 2 points).

Commenting on the points changes, V8 Supercars Australia Chief Executive Wayne Cattach said: "The system is designed to have all of the pressure moving forward and through the field.

"This is a structure we believe that will produce great racing and reward those striving for the front of the field and ultimately winning."

Qualifying is set for a major shake-up, with the shootout being replaced at all events except for Sandown and Bathurst. Instead of the shootout, a 45 minute F1-style elimination will take place. All cars will participate in the first 15 minutes, then the fastest 20 cars in the next 15, with the top ten battling it out in the final 15 minutes for pole position.

Race formats will change a little, with compulsory pit-stop windows to be shortened in three race events. Instead of being between lap 5 and two-thirds race distance, it will be between one-third and two-thirds race distance.

The distance of each of these three races will be 120 km, with the first race to be held on Saturday, and the remaining two races held on the Sunday.