BTCC 3 race format for 2004 & back to Knockhill

[FourWheelDrift]

Autosport said:

The British Touring Car Championship has introduced a radical new race format for 2004. Each round of the championship will now feature three races, with mandatory pit stops being scrapped. Series organiser TOCA announced the new format alongside its final 2004 calendar. The only change of the ten championship rounds is the return of Knockhill in Scotland, which replaces Rockingham. The championship will also run a non-championship round in support of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Under the three race format, the grid for the first event will be set by qualifying times. The starting order for race two will be determined by the results of race one – but with the top ten positions reversed. Race three's grid will be set by the finishing order of the second race. "Three sprint races, with a reversed top ten in the second race, will provide plenty of fast and furious action," said series director Alan Gow. "With pit stops no longer playing a part in their race strategy, the drivers won't have the comfort of their team's assistance to them them. It's all down to pure non-stop racing. And with 30 races all counting for the championship, nobody is going to have an easy run to the title." 2004 BTCC Calendar Date Circuit April 10/11 Thruxton April 24/25 Brands Hatch Indy May 8/9 Silverstone International May 22/23 Oulton Park Island June 12/13 Mondello Park International July 2/3/4 Silverstone* July 10/11 Croft July 24/25 Knockhill** August 21/22 Brands Hatch Grand Prix Sept 4/5 Snetterton Sept 25/26 Donington Park National * Non-championship British GP support race ** Subject to completion of specified facility improvements by February 1, 2004.

No more "strategic" pit stop wins then.