AASA announces rolling starts for all circuit racing categories from 2026

Australian Auto-Sport Alliance (AASA) National Competition and Commercial Director Marcos Ambrose has announced that all AASA sanctioned road racing events will conduct rolling starts from 2026 onwards.

The new AASA rolling start procedure will be introduced to reduce costs, create a faster paced motor racing event and produce a safer race start.

All TA2 Muscle Car Series and Formula Ford Stars and Renegades Series races have commenced with rolling starts this year and has been a great success.

In 2026 the AASA will incorporate a ‘Start Zone’ on the exit of the last corner at each race track.

The leader of the race will determine when to go within this zone, effectively making the leader decide when the race commences. The starters tower official (the starter) will then wave a green flag once the leader has accelerated away to signify the race has begun.

The ‘Start Zone’ will vary in size and location depending on individual track characteristics.

The zone will be designed in such a way as to allow the leader to choose to start the race with enough variability that a chain reaction occurs creating separation between the rows of cars following for a safer and fairer start procedure.

The ‘Start Zone’ will also become a ‘Restart Zone’ once the race is underway, removing the need for any overlap or passing rules at the start finish line after a ‘Pace Car’ period.

This latest change follows the announcement that from 2026 all AASA circuit racing events have removed ‘time certain’ racing, reverting back to traditional racing laps and distances to determine a race finish.

Marcos Ambrose – AASA Competition and Commercial Director

“NASCAR, IndyCar and almost any other road racing-based category in North and South America operate using rolling starts, it’s cheaper, faster and safer if done correctly,” Ambrose said.

“I have a lot of experience of rolling starts with my time in NASCAR and have seen how successful they can be in reducing first corner incidents and also allowing the leader to get reward for his efforts by being in command of the start.

“Rolling starts also speed up the start procedure which helps reduce wasted track time - an added bonus.

“At AASA we are committed to delivering more track time, more quality racing laps and more value for money. Rolling starts helps us deliver all of those things.

“The benefits of rolling starts far outweigh the negatives, if there even are any negatives”

Stephen Whyte - AASA CEO

“Rolling starts for AASA events makes sense for our competitors and categories,” Whyte said.

“Even though it may be breaking from tradition in Australian motorsport, rolling starts reduce costs and mechanical issues for the cars, reduces first corner incidents, reduces the risk of safety car deployments. It rewards the top qualifiers and most importantly saves time on the schedule to allow for more green flag laps of racing.

“We at the AASA have trialled several forms of rolling starts throughout the 2025 Hi-Tec Oils Super Series in the Formula Ford Stars and Renegades Series and also TA2 Muscle Car Series. This is in conjunction with other AASA categories already using rolling starts such as Stock Cars Australia and the Hyper Racer X1s in the Australian Drivers’ Championship.

“The Start and Restart zones will create a natural flow on the racetrack – we are very excited to see the improvements to the racing experience for our competitors and race fans.”

Matt Mackelden – TA2 Muscle Car Series Category Manager

“In consultation with the AASA and Marcos Ambrose, we revised and modified our rolling start procedure in TA2 competition this season in an effort to reduce first corner incidents and reward the pole sitter by allowing them to dictate the start of the race,” he said.

“The positive feedback from drivers and the end result of reduced incidents and getting the race started more efficiently has been great to see.”