More details about the upcoming S5000 Tasman Series have been released with the category’s management confirming the formats for both rounds. 
  
Seven races will make up the historic return of the series and it will adopt a format similar to the VHT S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship, which saw multiple smaller races set up one feature race. 
  
Starting with the first round at Sydney Motorsport Park, competitors' starting positions for race one will be determined by qualifying, while race two’s grid will be determined by reversing the top 75 per cent of the initial qualifying order. 
  
Points from both races will then combine to set up the feature race grid. 
  
In the second round at Bathurst, four races await competitors with each race impacting grid orders for the following race.
  
The first two races and final feature race of the round will run in the same format as the Eastern Creek round, while the third race grid will be set up by reversing the top half of finishers from the previous race. 
  
Also confirmed are the points gained for each race with the opening race to see 30 points awarded to the winner, 20 points for the winner in the reversed portion races and 60 points in the feature race. 
  
Drivers finishing in the top 10 for each race will be awarded points, as will the driver who secures pole position for race one.   
  
Category Administrator Liam Curkpatrick was pleased to get the format confirmed and believed it would prove successful, as seen in the inaugural VHT S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship. 
  
“The Sporting regulations for the S5000 Tasman Series are based very closely on the successful formats we had in place for the Motorsport Australia Gold Star earlier this year,” Curkpatrick said. 
  
“The only major change is the addition of an additional race to the program at Bathurst, Race 6, where we will reverse the top half of the grid from Race 5. 
  
“The races where we reversed the top portion of the field were among the best of the season this year, so we wanted to ensure that continued, but we have also tried to minimize the impact on the Tasman Series standings by ensuring those races have less points on offer. 
  
“The big-ticket races are the first of each weekend and then the final race at each round. 
  
“We think the format is the best mixture of offering pure competition, giving competitive cars a chance to run at the front even if they don’t qualify there and offering plenty of entertainment for the many fans who will be watching. 
  
“With the varied race formats, the driver who lifts the Tasman Cup will have absolutely earned it over two important qualifying sessions and seven races.” 
  
The returning S5000 Tasman Series’ first round will form part of the Beaurepaires Sydney SuperNight on 19-21 November, before concluding at the Repco Bathurst 1000 on 30 November to 6 December. 
  
  

Tasman Series Format 

Round 1 - Sydney Motorsport Park 
Qualifying: 10 points for pole down to 1 point for 10th. 
Race 1: Grid based on qualifying, 30 points to the winner. 
Race 2: Grid based on the top 75% of the Qualifying order being reversed. 20 points to the winner. 
Race 3: Grid based on points from qualifying, Race 1 and Race 2. 60 points to the winner. 
  
Round 2 - Mount Panorama, Bathurst 
Qualifying: 10 points for pole down to 1 point for 10th. 
Race 4: Grid based on qualifying, 30 points to the winner. 
Race 5: Grid based on the top 75% of the Qualifying order being reversed. 20 points to the winner. 
Race 6: Grid based on the top 50% of the Race 5 finishing order being reversed. 20 points to the winner. 
Race 7: Grid based on points from Qualifying, Race 4, Race 5 and Race 6. 60 points to the winner.