New rules in Champ Car

The Champ Car World Series will introduce a set of new rules for the 2007 season.
Standing starts will be implemented at select venues. Tire-use and back-up car rules have been altered. Time limits on races will remain.
The use of standing starts will be at races in which they can be accomodated in a safe manner, according to a Champ Car World Series release. The field will line up in grid positions and a series of red lights will illuminate one-by-one until all the lights are lit. The race will start when all the lights go out.
The first standing start will take place at the season opening Vegas Grand Prix.
“This should provide a very exciting start to our races,� said Champ Car Vice-President of Operations Tony Cotman. “Unlike Formula 1 where they have traction or launch control, the success of the standing starts in Champ Car will be up to the skill of the individual drivers. We will do the standing starts wherever the configuration of the track allows us to do so in a safe manner.�
The rules on tire usage during a weekend has been changed. Previously a team could only use four sets of tires during any qualifying session. Now the teams have unlimited use of their weekend allotment during a session, although the rules concerning the mandatory use of one set of alternate Bridgestone Potenzas during a race in still in effect.
The use of spare cars by the teams has been changed as well. Teams now have the sole discretion to use their backup cars, but can only use one car in any practice or qualifying session. In addition, going to a spare car after the primary car has been qualified will result in the forfeiture of the qualifying time for that entry, meaning that a change after warmup on race day will result in that entry starting from the rear of the field.
In 2007, all Champ Car races will be timed races. The event will begin and will run to a set time limit. As the elapsed time of the race approaches, a signal indicating one lap to go will be displayed to the field, with the race ending upon the next time the leader crosses the start/finish line. The white flag will not be shown from the starter’s stand and will be used more in line with international FIA guidelines around the course.
“As Champ Car grows into more of an international series and with the majority of our driver lineup coming from international road-course backgrounds, we want to update our flagging procedures in kind,� Cotman said. “Not only will it be easier for our drivers to understand, but it will keep us from having to re-educate our course marshals when we conduct international events.�