Drivers compete during heats of the 2012 Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic.
MORE drivers will walk away from next year’s Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic with prizemoney in their pockets.
Premier Speedway officials have announced they cut the Classic winner’s cheque from $40,000 to $30,000 for the 41st running of the event in January.
The remaining $10,000 will boost prizemoney for drivers in the A, B and C main races.
All 20 A main starters will pocket at least $1750, B main starters are assured of $900 and C main starters will take home a minimum $500.
The prizemoney adjustment is one of two changes to the annual feature on the Warrnambool speedway calendar. Officials will also divide drivers into two groups for opening-night time trials, with the quickest in each group earning $1000.
The fastest overall time triallist will have their name added to the Alan Pollard Memorial Trophy honour role.
“We have made a couple of very subtle changes,” Premier Speedway general manager David Mills said.
“One to the time trial portion of the weekend, which we feel will keep more drivers in the hunt for longer.
“And the other strategically with regards to the payout.
“These decisions were made on the back of competitor surveys that were sent out post the 2012 Classic and some of the responses we received.”
Mills said officials were considering reverting the Classic to a three-day event, but were yet to make a decision on the issue.
He said they were also weighing up whether to implement a rule that drivers would race with standardised tyre compounds. But any change would come into existence after the 2013 Classic.
“We had mixed responses whether we should implement a tyre compound rule, where they perhaps use a harder tyre, whether they have limits on a harder tyre,” he said.
“We feel there is a bit more water to go under the bridge regarding any decision-making where this issue is concerned.
“Whether that’s a 12-month project or a two-year thing, time will dictate.”
The 41st Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic is on January 26 and 27.
Mills said he had returned from a trip to America promoting the time-honoured Classic, where he received a warm response. He said he had received the first nomination for the event, and expected the majority of entries to arrive in November and December.