The first fuel cells for next year’s new V8 Supercars regulations have arrived on Australian soil today.
The new, safer cells, constructed by UK company Premier Fuel Systems, are one of the final control components that will be supplied to the teams, allowing the accredited COTF manufacturers to complete the build of their cars.
Triple Eight debuted its COTF Commodore at Queensland Raceway two weeks ago using a one-off Triple Eight-made fuel cell to complete the test.
Australian importer Racer Industries will receive two fuel cells each week until the teams have reached their allocation.
One of the first units which arrived today will be delivered to Ford Performance Racing, which plans to debut its first Car of the Future Falcon next month.
Premier Fuel Systems is the supplier of the current control tanks, however, this new component marks the first time that the company will also supply the housing – a new FIA-specification carbon fibre unit, used by S2000 rally teams.
This major safety innovation also allows teams to have one fuel tank with separators (for sprint and endurances races), rather than the current system that sees teams install bigger tanks for the longer races.
Racer Industries’ Ryan McLeod is the importer of a number of key COTF components, including the fuel cells. He says that the tanks are stronger, safer and more user-friendly than the current models.
“The box that they sit in are twice as strong as what they previously had, and it’s also in a much safer location,” said fuel cell importer Ryan McLeod.
“The teams will fit they’re own internal stuff, like fuel pumps, some of which we supply, some of which they make themselves.
“With the dual purpose arrangement, I don’t believe there’s anything like it anywhere else in the world.”
In other COTF supply news, the first shipment of control 18 inch wheels has arrived. Three hundred Team Dynamics units were delivered to Racer Industries, and will be followed by two more shipments in November and December.
