Scott McLaughlin expects to remain at the front regardless of the aero changes made to the Ford Mustang ahead of this weekend’s Pirtek Perth SuperNight.
Supercars’ decision to mandate tweaks to the Mustang’s rear wing, gurney flap and undertray extension to ensure technical parity across the Ford, Holden and Nissan models has created an extra air of uncertainty heading into the trip to Barbagallo Wanneroo Raceway.
However, having enjoyed a stunning seven wins from 10 races this year, McLaughlin remains defiant and confident his team can overcome the car changes it faces with his target set firmly on victory under lights.
“Obviously it is frustrating for everyone as we have worked hard over time to have a car that is fast and was approved beforehand, but the sport is about technical parity and all that sort of stuff and we understand they have to adjudicate when they need; to whether we agree with it or not is a different story,” said Mclaughlin.
“At the end of the day I know that we have got a great team, there is no parity on our team and we have got the best team in the business and regardless of what they do I still think we can be at the front.
“The goal doesn’t change for us at Perth. We are going to win.
“We know we can win as we have been fast there in the past and my team-mate has been fast as well.
“The cars will be good and they change as much as they want but we are going to be there or thereabouts. We will see how we go.”
“We’re a strong team and there’s nothing better to have on your side than determination and a positive energy around the team and we’ve got that in tenfold,” he added when speaking to Speedcafe.com.
“We are just looking forward to having a crack out there this weekend and use that as a bit of motivation.”
In addition to the changes to the Mustang, the Supercars field will face the added challenge of adapting to a new track surface at Barbgallo Wanneroo Raceway and racing under lights.
With only one practice held at night tonight before teams race on Saturday, McLaughlin admits teams will need to be on the ball from the outset.
“It’s the same for everyone but we are straight out there for the Thursday night and you’ve got one practice really to get that feeling of a race car under lights and all that sort of stuff,” McLaughlin told Speedcafe.com.
“You’re going to have to be on the ball straight away and obviously adding to that is the bitumen difference. So look, we understand the track and we’ve been to tracks before with this type of surface, I think it’s going to be grippier than Tailem Bend.”
Opening practice is scheduled to begin at 1840 local time/2040 AEST.
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