New rules unveiled for 2005.

V8 Supercar Championship series organizers AVESCO have unveiled a series of new rule changes ahead of the upcoming season, with the major news being that all drivers in the series will be required to use the HANS device for 2005.

The announcement brings the championship into line with FIA regulations and follows the introduction last season of the compulsory wearing of FIA approved fire proof race suits and undergarments to improve safety.

The HANS device, already used in a number of championships including F1 and the WRC, secures the head and neck of drivers in the event of a crash, further preventing the risk of severe injury as the result of an accident.

Other significant changes for 2005 will see drivers drop their worst score up until round ten of the championship, and the pre race period will also be altered, with no warm-up session or pre race roll around laps, with any car that doesn't proceed directly to the grid forced to start from the pitlane.

Cars will also be fitted with two lights - one green, one yellow - which will be used to show whether or not a car has completed its compulsory pit stop, where a minimum of two tyres must be changed by the teams. Should the pit stop window open while the safety car is on track, no compulsory stops will be allowed, with teams instead having to wait until three racing laps have been completed.