Teams are waiting on Supercars to reveal its findings regarding its ongoing investigation into aero parity.
The series has been embroiled in a parity debate following the successful debut of the new-for-2019 Ford Mustang, built within the rules, which has won nine of the 10 races to date.
Claims from rival teams that the Mustang has an advantage has seen Supercars carry out a centre of gravity test, which has resulted in CoG changes, and now an investigation into a perceived aero edge over the Holden and Nissan models.
The debate has arrived despite Supercars signing off on the Mustang’s aero pacakage during homologation aero testing last year.
Key aero personnel involved in the creation of Mustang (Sriram Pakkam) and Holden ZB Commodore (Florian Höfflin) Supercars were present at Phillip Island.
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The results, understood to be crucial in determining if changes are required to aero packages, are not expected until later this month.
Teams are now awaiting the results of the investigation, which Speedcafe.com understands could result in changes to the Mustang’s aero that may be carried out before next month’s Pirtek Perth SuperNight (May 2-4).
Supercars boss Sean Seamer told Speedcafe.com in Tasmania that if changes were required to be made to the cars the series would aim to conduct these in a cost effective manner.
“I think the premises of maintaining technical parity, is to try to keep costs down for as many people as possible. Not costs up,” Seamer told Speedcafe.com.
While the parity debate has frustrated Ford teams Shell V-Power Racing and Tickford, given that the Mustang’s aero package was approved by Supercars last year, the blue oval supports the category’s view for technical parity.
“Ford and Ford Performance supports technical parity in Supercars, and has been in constant dialogue and worked closely with the series from the very beginning of our involvement,” read statement from Ford Australia to Speedcafe.com.
“We support a competitive world class series, which is why we’re proud to be part of it.
“Ford Performance’s constant dialogue with Supercars and support of the series and the teams means that we will have a presence at this season’s events.
“We saw Mark Rushbrook and Sriram Pakkam at Adelaide, alongside Kay Hart and the Ford team, and the team will get to as many races as practicality possible, given that Supercars is one of several global programs.”
Factory Holden team owner Roland Dane says the onus is now on Supercars to ensure there is parity across the homologated models.
“They’re (Supercars) the ones who know the facts, they’ve got to do as they see fit,” Dane told Speedcafe.com.
“It’s their call, it’s not our call, it’s not any manufacturer’s call, it’s Supercars’.
“They’ve got an obligation to ensure parity wherever they can, technical parity in the category, and I think they’re working pretty hard to try and ensure that.
“Well, there’s a gap (between the Ford and other cars). (It’s) up to Supercars to do something about it, we’ll wait and see.”
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