Holden teams are expected to be boosted by the arrival of a truck carrying crucial spare parts for the new ZB Commodore in time for Friday’s opening practice at the Adelaide 500.
A transporter containing a range of components including front splitters, wings and various other parts is expected to arrive in Adelaide this evening after a journey of more than 2000km from Triple Eight’s Brisbane base.
Spares had been a concern for Holden teams heading into the season opener following a delay in the manufacturing process of the latest Commodore Supercar parts, which was triggered by the car’s late homologation sign off.
To ensure teams have enough parts for the car’s racing debut, Triple Eight has organised a truck of spares for communal use by the Holden teams during the Adelaide 500 weekend.
Team manager Mark Dutton is reasonably confident teams will be well catered for should extra parts be required.
“We have a separate truck coming down with communal spares,” Dutton told Speedcafe.com.
“We have left it to the last minute for that truck to leave Brisbane with as many spares from front splitters, to wings and other parts. There is quite a level of stock there and hopefully it is enough.
“If it is not enough then it means lots of cars are not having a good weekend but that said the push to keep manufacturing parts is continuing and will for many months to come.
“We feel we are in a good place. The communal thing is not a silly thing to do, it can be quite cost effective for teams. We are not intending to have that for every race meeting.”
In addition to spare parts, concerns have been raised following a series of front splitter failures at the Sydney Motorsport Park pre-season test.
Garry Rogers Motorsport, which manufacturers the parts under licence for Victorian teams, has recalled the components to strengthen the splitters ahead of the Adelaide 500.
The team is also planning to send a truck to the South Australian capital with an array of the modified front bars.
GRM driver Garth Tander says the operation has worked hard to correct the issue and is confident the fix will prove successful.
“The team have been working really hard and it stems from the late delivery of the mould,” Tander told Speedcafe.com.
“They have done everything they can in the time frame they have had and the information available at the time.
“They are confident and I’m confident in what they have done and I have every confidence they have found what they need to find.”
Holden teams will join the remainder of the Supercars field for opening practice on Friday at 0945 local time.
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