Supercars has completed an intense week of Vehicle Control Aerodynamic Testing (VCAT) which has resulted in revised aero packages for the Ford Mustang and Holden Commodore.
The championship has spent the past five days carrying out crucial aero testing to ensure parity across the Holden and Ford models for 2020.
Next year will see both cars feature changed aero packages as the series aims to cut downforce by approximately 12 percent to improve the racing.
Supercars technical department carried out the straight-line tests at Oakey Army Aviation Centre in Queensland, where they were joined by homologation teams Shell V-Power Racing and the Red Bull Holden Racing Team that fielded a Mustang and ZB Commodore respectively.
The Mustang, driven by DJR Team Penske mechanic Aaron Seton, and Commodore, piloted by Shane van Gisbergen’s data engineer Martin Short, were pitched against a Falcon FG X supplied by Supercars which acted as a baseline for the cars to meet.
Six members from each team were present, including DJRTP and Triple Eight technical directors Ludo Lacroix and Jeromy Moore.
This year’s VCAT that concluded on Friday featured a revamped process using an active damper system that is hoped to provide more accurate results.
Supercars introduced the system in response to last year’s VCAT process came in for criticism after the series was forced to make a number of in-season parity adjustments.
Head of Motorsport Adrian Burgess was happy with the results but admits the first race will prove to be the litmus test.
“It’s been an intense, long, hot week here at Oakey,” said Supercars Head of Motorsport, Adrian Burgess on the championship’s website.
“We’re leaving here happy with where we’ve got the cars, but the results of this week’s work will only show themselves next year when we go racing.
“The process has changed, and had to change considerably over the previous VCAT.
“Both homologation teams have worked closely, and harmoniously together, and with Supercars, to reach a resolution that we are all aligned and happy with.
“We’re all exhausted, but equally excited and looking forward to going racing in 2020.”
The new aero packages will make their competitive debuts at Supercars’ pre-season test at The Bend Motorsport Park on February 18.
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