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Trev - sorry - wrong. The lap count does NOT go backwards - it stays on the original leaders lap count until the next placed car has completed the same number of laps - so in your example it would NOT be a 124 lap race for the simple reason that the guy on 96 laps did NOT have to race 124 laps but only 120 laps.

If the lead car dies, crashes out - whatever - the lap count STAYS on lap 99 until the next placed car passes that cars lap count. The reasoning for this is in case a red flag is called and the race count is taken BACKWARDS to the lap required under NCR 161. A good example of this from Bathurst is the Jim Richards Godzilla crash.

Using another example was an AIR NASCAR race some years ago - Jim Richards was in first in a 100 lap race, Kim Jane in 2nd also on lap 99. Going into turn 1 on the last lap Kim tried to pass taking out both himself and Jim. Third place car - although on lap 99 - came through and took the chequered flag to win the race with 100 laps. When results were published Jim and Kim were given their respective placings on 99 completed laps.

As to the pit lane closing - there is currently an argument going on within CAMS about the business of closing pit lane when the winner takes the chequered flag. Under the NCR's (which no series regulations can change) they state that to be classified as a finisher the car must complete the race, under its own power, within 3 minutes (for tracks under 3.0 km in length) or 6 minutes (for tracks over 3.0 km in length). Whilst it hasn't yet happened, because of the V8 Supercar rules which state a car must FINISH a race to be classified, by closing pit lane BEFORE the expiration of the 3 or 6 minute time-out period, it is possible a car can be denied a finish because of an unenforceable rule about closing pit lane. So far, no one in CAMS has had the courage to rule on this and my guess is that it will take someone like Larry Perkins to take it to court to have it clarified.