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  A switch to E85 ethanol fuel, in place of premium unleaded, means there will be far more pitstops for refueling.

Pitlane will become more important than ever during the running of this year's Great Race.

A switch to E85 ethanol fuel, in place of premium unleaded, means there will be far more pitstops for refueling.

In previous years the V8 Supercars have run the 1000-kilometre sprint with five scheduled fuel stops — four complete fills and a final 'splash' — but this time around there could be eight. Or more.

That's because E85 burns faster than unleaded and the Ford and Commodore fuel tanks are no bigger than previous years. The fuel change also means more tactical choices for teams, in everything from the driver who starts the race — because they will not necessarily also be in for the finish — and the opportunity to double and even triple-stint drivers through extra stops for fuel top-ups.