Triple Eight is pressing ahead with plans to test its first Car of the Future Commodore at Queensland Raceway on August 6, despite a continued lack of clarity on the final technical regulations for the next-generation cars.
Following V8 Supercars recent decision to abandon a planned group test on the date due to the rule delays, Triple Eight says it has booked the Ipswich venue for the day.
The test will count as one of the two days allocated to each of the eight ‘accredited builder’ teams, and be attended by V8 Supercars technical staff.
According to TeamVodafone team manager Adrian Burgess, the team’s first ‘laboratory car’ will feature a variety of components not set to be raced in order to address the lack of a final rule package.
“We’re pushing ahead for that date,” Burgess told Speedcafe.com of testing on August 6.
“We’re working at the same pace and intensity with that project that we have been since the start of it.
“At this stage, there isn’t anything fundamental that is going to stop us doing that.
“There is a supply of a few parts (that won’t be finalised) but it shouldn’t be a problem.
“There’ll be a few things that will be in our first car that won’t be in our roll out car, but they’re not important at this point.”
While other teams aren’t expected to hit the track with their first cars until late August at the earliest, Burgess denied his squad will gain an advantage through its early test.
“There won’t be any advantage,” said Burgess.
“All it will mean is that we have the car on track before they have. It doesn’t mean we’ll be a tenth faster or slower than the rest. It won’t mean a significant amount – it just gives us an earlier indication of the areas that we need to work on.”
Triple Eight has been heavily involved in the COTF project since its inception. The firm struck early deals to design the control independent rear suspension and pedal box, and has since supplied additional components to the category’s prototype cars.
The team plans to build nine race cars prior to the 2013 season, including those for customer squads Tekno Autosports and Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport.
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