Details of WTCC Vila Real joker lap revealed

The joker lap format had been added into the championship’s sporting regulations for the 2017 season and a planned first running at the season-opening Marrakech round was cancelled due to circuit restrictions and government instability.

That meant a planned debut for the joker lap was delayed to Vila Real, and WTCC promoter Francois Ribeiro said he was pleased to see it confirmed, pending a track inspection on June 21.

“The ‘joker’ lap concept works very well in rallycross, and I’m certain it will bring an extra dimension to the WTCC street race in Vila Real,” he said.

“It will open up strategies for each WTCC driver, and might even change the course of the race.

“Of course we never compromise on safety so we have worked very closely with our colleagues at the FIA and with the authorities in Vila Real to put in place a route that matches our requirements but also conforms to all the rigorous safety standards.”

The joker lap will be located at the circuit’s final corner, Turn 26, and the route will take it away from the track’s roundabout section and through a tighter left/right sequence before re-joining the start/finish straight, with an expected time loss of two seconds.

In addition, the joker lap cannot be taken until the third lap of either race with drivers free to practice the route during the first two practice sessions.

Tom Errington