The Supercheap Auto-backed Melbourne Performance Centre team has credited radiator supplier PWR for its stunning return to the V8 SuperTourer Series at the weekend.
MPC driver Scott McLaughlin took pole position and all three race wins at Hampton Downs just four weeks after the continuation of season-long engine problems led to the team’s withdrawal from the Manfeild event.
After much debate, series organisers opened up the engine cooling system regulations prior to Hampton Downs. The MPC cars were among several to move to PWR units, while Andy Booth was selected to trial an updated version of the previously mandated Adrad system.
According to MPC co-owner Troy Russell, the team’s form at the weekend proved beyond doubt the reasons for the previous issues, which had seen the team destroy three engines in just three events.
“There was lots of talk about oil issues and installation issues and things like that, but all we’ve changed is the cooling system,” Russell told Speedcafe.com.
“PWR went out of their way for us to make it happen, and they’ve clearly fixed the problems that we’ve had.
“At the weekend we even had to (partially) blank the radiators to get the engines up to the temperature that we needed them to be!”
V8 SuperTourers however is expected to continue testing new oil system parts during the coming weeks, with category director Mark Petch telling Speedcafe.com that “freeing up the radiators prior to this weekend proved far from conclusive, given the wintry conditions.”
Russell meanwhile says that his team’s further participation in the series has been guaranteed by the radiator solution.
“Obviously to abandon a race meeting was not a good thing for anyone,” said Russell.
“After Manfeild we said that unless you (V8 SuperTourers) do something we’re not coming back.
“The amount of money that we’ve torched in the first few rounds meant there was no option for us but to get it fixed, and it has been fixed.
“Now we can go into the endurance races focussed on winning more races and hopefully taking out the Endurance Series.”
The first endurance race of the inaugural V8 SuperTourer Series will take place at Taupo on September 1-2.
MPC has yet to sign co-drivers for the endurance races, but is expected to confirm its line-up in the coming weeks.
