Motorsport Australia Superlicence
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (October 2024) |
The Motorsport Australia Superlicence is a racing license awarded by Motorsport Australia. It is required for all drivers in the Supercars Championship, the highest-profile domestic circuit racing series in Australia.[1]
The licence is usually granted on the basis of success in other Australian and New Zealand-based circuit racing series.
The existence of the Superlicence, and the eligibility rules, have been controversial and subject to several revisions. As well as affecting drivers' chances at a professional career in the Supercars Championship, the rules also impact category organisers, as it affects the attractiveness of various series to drivers, and therefore the number of entries and ultimately the viability of different race series.
The Superlicence system was first introduced in 2017, and was abolished in mid-2023,[2] only for a revised version to be reintroduced in early 2024.[1]
At times, the Supercars Championship has imposed additional requirements for drivers, notably that they have competed in the Super2 Series for a specified number of rounds.
2025 Requirements and Process
[edit]For the 2025 season, teams in the Supercars Championship apply for a Superlicence on behalf of prospective drivers.[1]
To qualify, drivers must be over the age of 17 and hold a FIA International Grade C Circuit Licence (or higher).
Furthermore, drivers who have raced within Australia and New Zealand need to have been awarded a total of 15 points based on their season placing in other Australian or New Zealand circuit racing championships in the previous three years, according to a points table (displayed below).
Alternatively, drivers can either have:
- completed 3 rounds in the Supercars Championship in the past five years prior to the application
- Completed 6 rounds of the Super2 Series and received endorsement signatures from the director of those rounds.
Under these rules, existing full-time Supercars drivers, and co-drivers who compete in the two endurance rounds of the Supercars Championship (usually the Sandown 500 and the Bathurst 1000, can retain a Superlicence while they continue to compete and for several years afterwards.
Drivers who have raced internationally can accumulate the 15 required points under the FIA Super Licence system; international applications will be reviewed by a licensing board appointed by Motorsport Australia.[1]
2025 points table
[edit]The following table lists the points awarded for Australian/NZ series placings for awarding of a Superlicence.
The 2025 points table list includes most national-level circuit racing series (as well as state-based Formula Ford series) sanctioned by Motorsport Australia. It does not include series sanctioned by the Australian Auto Sport Alliance, most notably the TA2 Racing Muscle Car Series.
| Category | Points | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | |
| Super2 Series | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 |
| Super3 Series | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Porsche Carrera Cup Australia | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| TCR Australia Series | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 90 |
| Porsche Sprint Challenge Australia | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| GT Championship | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Australian National Trans-Am Series | 7 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Formula 4 Australian Championship | 7 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Formula Regional Oceania Championship
(Toyota Racing Series) (NZ) |
7 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| S5000 Australian Drivers' Championship | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| GT4 Australia | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia 86 Series | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| National Formula Ford Series | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SuperUtes Series | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NZ Toyota 86 Series | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NZ Formula Ford Championship | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| State Formula Ford championships | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Production Car Series | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Touring Car Masters | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Aussie Racing Cars | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Radical Cup | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prototype Series | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| National Sports Sedan Series | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Karting series (KZ2, KA2) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
History
[edit]2017
[edit]The Superlicence, then known as the CAMS Superlicense, was first introduced in October 2016 for the 2017 Supercars Championship season, at least in part in response to concerns about an inexperienced substitute driver[3]
In addition to a minimum age of 17 and a FIA Circuit C licence, drivers were either required to hold a Gold FIA rating, have competed in at least three Supercars events over the past five years, or to accumulate 13 points in the previous five years (so the 2012 through 2016 seasons) by season placings in the following racing series:[3]
The organisers of the Australian Formula Ford Series and Australian Formula 3 criticised the system. The national Formula Ford Series was completely omitted from the Superlicence points, and Formula 3 received a lower points allocation than, for instance, Formula four. The two series organised argued that their series were effective training grounds for professional motorsport, and that the points allocation did not reflect the training value of their categories.[4] The CEO of the Supercars Championship also criticised the system after driver Matt Chadha was denied a dispensation to race in Supercars, saying the system was necessary but the points table was "wrong" and "way heavily skewed with self interest in regards to Formula 4".[5]
| Category | Points | Notes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | ||
| Supercars Championship | 13 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Drivers already in the championship are entitled to keep their licence indefinitely as long as they have competed in at least 3 rounds in five years |
| Dunlop series (Super2 Series) | 12 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| GT Championship | 12 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| GT Endurance Championship | 12 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| Formula 4 Australian Championship | 12 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| Porsche Carrera Cup Australia | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| (Toyota Racing Series) (NZ) (now known as Formula Regional Oceania Championship) | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| New Zealand Touring Car Championship | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| State Formula Ford championships | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| NZ Formula Ford Championship | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| V8 Ute Racing Series | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Group 3E Production cars | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Toyota 86 Series | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| V8 Touring Car Series (now known as Super3) | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Touring Car Masters | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Aussie Racing Cars | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| GT3 Cup Challenge | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| GT Trophy | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Radical & Sports Racers | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| National Sports Sedan Series | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Australian Formula 3 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Karting series (KZ2, KA2) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2018
[edit]In 2018, an additional eligibility criterion was added, so that any driver who finished in the top six of the Super2 Series was eligible for a Superlicence.[6] Furthermore, the V8 Touring Car Series (now known as Super3), was allocated additional points, changing the V8 Touring Cars allocation to:
| Category | Points | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | |
| V8 Touring Car Series | 7 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2020
[edit]For 2020, an additional rule was added - any driver that finished in the top six of the Super2 Series automatically eligible for a Superlicencenext year; if one of the top six places was won by an existing super licence holder, this was extended to the top eight finishers.
Two additional racing categories were added to the points table: the TCR Australia Touring Car Series, and the S5000 Australian Drivers' Championship.
The points allocation continued to be a topic of discussion, with the S5000 Australian Drivers' Chamipionship organisers seeking a higher points allocation, and the Supercars Championship management seeking additional revisions.[7] Experienced driver and team manager Paul Morris stated that the points table "...doesn't make sense".
Driver Nathan Herne, who placed fifth in the TA2 Racing Muscle Car Series (sanctioned by the Australian Auto Sport Alliance and thus not on the points table), was denied a dispensation after Garry Rogers Motorsport applied for a dispensation for Herne to drive in the 2020 Bathurst 1000.[8]
The global COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted motorsport across Australia; many categories missed much of the season, and where events did run drivers were often unable to attend events due to travel restrictions. Motorsport Australia confirmed that drivers whose seasons were interrupted would be considered on a case by case basis, and announced a review of the points allocation system, in October 2020.[9]
| Category | Points | Notes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | ||
| Supercars Championship | 13 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Super2 Series | 12 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Top six drivers entitled to Superlicence in the folllowing year, or top eight if a current Superlicence holder finished in the top six |
| Endurance Championship | 12 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| GT Championship | 12 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| Formula 4 Australian Championship | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Porsche Carrera Cup Australia | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| (Toyota Racing Series) (NZ) (now known | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| TCR Australia Touring Car Series | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | New Category |
| S5000 Series | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | New Category |
| Super3 Series | 7 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| New Zealand Touring Car Championship | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| State Formula Ford Championships | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| NZ Formula Ford Series | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| V8 Ute Racing Series/ SuperUtes Series | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Toyota 86 Series | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Production Car Series | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Touring Car Masters | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Aussie Racing Cars | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Series | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| GT Trophy Series | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Radical Cup | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Sports Racer Series | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Sports Sedan Series | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Australian Formula 3 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Karting Championship (KZ2, KA1) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2021
[edit]In 2021, a major change was made to the Superlicence system, where drivers without previous Supercars experience, or holding a Gold FIA licence, were additionally required to have competed in six rounds of the Super2 Series,[10] or seek dispensation.
2022
[edit]In March 2022, further changes were made to the Superlicence system. The requirement to have completed in the Super2 series was removed. Applications for Superlicences were now to be made by Supercars teams rather than by drivers, and the points table was substantially adjusted, increasing points allocations for a number of series, theoretically making them a viable pathway to qualifying for the licence.[11]
The Supercars Championship itself imposed a rule that competing in a minimum of six rounds of the Super2 Series was required to be permitted to race in the Supercars Championship[12]
| Category | Points | Notes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | ||
| Supercars Championship | 13 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Super2 Series | 12 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| Endurance Championship | 12 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| GT Championship | 12 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| S5000 Series | 12 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| Porsche Carrera Cup Australia (2022 onwards) | 12 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| Formula 4 Australian Championship | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Porsche Carrera Cup Australia (2019-2021) | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| (Toyota Racing Series) (NZ) (now known | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| TCR Australia Touring Car Series | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| Super3 Series | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| Australian National Trans-Am Series | 7 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Toyota 86 Series | 7 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Porsche Sprint Challenge Series | 7 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| GT3 Trophy Series | 7 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Australian Formula Ford Series | 7 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| New Zealand Touring Car Championship | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| State Formula Ford Championships | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| New Zealand Toyota 86 Series | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| NZ Formula Ford Series | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| V8 Ute Racing Series/ SuperUtes Series | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Production Car Series | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Touring Car Masters | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Aussie Racing Cars | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Radical Cup | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Sports Racer Series | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Sports Sedan Series | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Australian Formula 3 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Karting Championship (KZ2, KA1) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2023
[edit]In July 2023, Motorsport Australia cancelled the Superlicence system.[13] The Supercars Championship amended its requirements for drivers, such that a driver who placed in the top three in either the Super3 Series or the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia would in the previous three years would only require three rounds in the Super2 Series, rather than six[14].
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Superlicence Returns With New Structure". Motorsport Australia. 1 February 2024.
- ^ "Motorsport Australia abolishes Superlicence system". Supercars Championship. 26 July 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
- ^ a b Johansson, Stefan (2016-10-12). "CAMS introduces Supercars Superlicense". Speedcafe.com. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
- ^ Howard, Tom (2016-10-13). "Formula Ford, F3 react to CAMS Superlicence". Speedcafe.com. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
- ^ Howard, Tom (2017-02-09). "Warburton calls for CAMS Superlicence review". Speedcafe.com. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
- ^ Williams, Bruce (14 November 2017). "CAMS Change Superlicence Requirements". Auto Action. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- ^ Herrero, Daniel (2020-04-30). "Superlicence criteria under review for Super2, S5000". Speedcafe.com. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
- ^ Vandersyde, Rhys (2020-09-21). "No Superlicence Dispensation for Herne". Auto Action. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
- ^ Coch, Mat (2020-10-30). "Full Superlicence points for Super2 and Super3". Speedcafe.com. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
- ^ McCarthy, Dan (6 July 2021). "Super2 Not the Only Pathway". Auto Action. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ Speedcafe.com (2022-03-25). "Major changes for Motorsport Australia Superlicence system". Speedcafe.com. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
- ^ Clarke, Andrew (1 June 2023). "Rogers frustrated with Supercars' licence hurdle". Auto Action. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
- ^ Williams, Bruce (July 27, 2023). "Motorsport Australia Superlicences 'cancelled'". Auto Action. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
- ^ O'Brien, Connor (2023-07-20). "Supercars announces driver eligibility rule change". V8 Sleuth. Retrieved 2024-10-29.