Gear, spoiler restrictions revealed.

In an effort to contain team costs and further enhance competition, NASCAR has revealed that it will implement a gear rule for its three senior series - the Nextel Cup, NASCAR Busch and Craftsman Truck - beginning from next season.

The new rule will restrict teams to NASCAR-determined gear ratios at each event, limiting the maximum revs that all engines will be able to produce in competition. The move is expected to reduce costs associated with engine research and development to gain additional revs. It also is expected to enhance the competitive balance with all makes in each series.

The rule will be in effect at every track in all three national series, with the exception of the two restrictor-plate tracks, Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway, where limits already exist due to the carburettor plates.

"We conferred at length with our team owners on this issue, and the decision was brought about by a combination of our initial ideas and their input," NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France said, "In the end, we had to put individual agendas aside and formulate a rule that was in the best interest of the industry. Rev limits have been on a continual rise since the 1970s and the associated costs to gain an edge in that area have escalated substantially during that time as well.

"We have also noticed a substantial decrease in the number of engine builders over the past several seasons and this new rule should help reverse that trend."

NASCAR will regulate the new rule by inspecting the number of teeth on the pinion and number of teeth on the ring gear during its race weekend inspection process. The body will also equip each vehicle with a data logger, which measures the revs during all on-track activity.

In another competition-related move, NASCAR announced that it will reduce the rear spoilers in the Nextel Cup Series by an inch at all non-restrictor plate tracks from 2005. The body, which decreased the spoilers by three-quarters of an inch entering this season, will require 2005 spoilers to be four-and-a-half inches in height.

The reduction in the spoiler height is expected to further reduce aero-push while enhancing the competitive aspect in terms of racing and passing ability. It is a continuation of a multi-year plan that began in 2002 to return more drive-ability to the cars through their aerodynamics, engines and tyres.